matthew-25:31-46,-ezekiel-34:20-24

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 25:46

46. And these shall go away—these "cursed" ones. Sentence, it should seem, was first pronounced—in the hearing of the wicked—upon the righteous, who thereupon sit as assessors in the judgment upon the wicked (1 Corinthians 6:2); but sentence is first executed, it should seem, upon the wicked, in the sight of the righteous—whose glory will thus not be beheld by the wicked, while their descent into "their own place" will be witnessed by the righteous, as BENGEL notes. into everlasting... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 25:3-46

VI. THE OFFICIAL PRESENTATION AND REJECTION OF THE KING 19:3-25:46This section of the Gospel continues Jesus’ instruction of His disciples in preparation for their future (Matthew 19:3 to Matthew 20:34). Then Jesus presented Himself formally to Israel as her King with His triumphal entry (Matthew 21:1-17). This resulted in strong rejection by Israel’s leaders (Matthew 21:18 to Matthew 22:46). Consequently Jesus pronounced His rejection of Israel (ch. 23). Finally He revealed to His disciples... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 25:31

This verse fixes the time of the judgment described in the following verses at the beginning of Jesus’ messianic reign (cf. Daniel 7:9-14; Daniel 7:22-27). Nowhere in this discourse did Jesus explicitly identify Himself as the Son of Man. However, since He used that title in answer to the disciples’ questions in Matthew 25:3, the inference is inescapable (cf. Zechariah 14:5; Joel 3:1-12). Jesus becomes the eschatological Judge that the Old Testament identified as God. Jesus again referred to... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 25:31-46

7. The King’s judgment of the nations 25:31-46Jesus concluded the Olivet Discourse with further revelation about the judgment that will take place at the end of the present age when He returns. He had referred to it often in the discourse, but now He made it a special subject of explanation. This judgment will occur when the King returns to earth at the end of the Tribulation to set up His kingdom. [Note: See Eugene W. Pond, "The Background and Timing of the Judgment of the Sheep and Goats,"... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 25:32-33

Usually "the nations" (Gr. ta ethne) refers to Gentiles distinguished from Jews (e.g., Luke 21:24; Acts 14:16). [Note: Abbott-Smith, pp. 129-30; Thayer, A Greek-English . . ., p. 168; Vincent, 1:135. ] Because of this some interpreters believe the judgment of Matthew 25:31-46 is a judgment of Gentiles only. [Note: E.g., Barbieri, p. 80; Bailey, in The New . . ., p. 53; and Eugene W. Pond, "Who Are the Sheep and Goats in Matthew 25:31-46?" Bibliotheca Sacra 159:635 (July-September... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 25:34

The identification of the King with the Son of Man (Matthew 25:31) recalls Daniel 7:13-14 where the Son of Man approaches the Ancient of Days (God the Father) to receive a kingdom. The purpose of Jesus separating humanity into two groups at the beginning of the kingdom is to determine whom He will admit to the kingdom and whom He will exclude (cf. Matthew 25:41; Matthew 25:46). The Father blesses (Gr. eulogemenoi, cf. Matthew 21:9; Matthew 23:39) some by allowing them to enter the kingdom. They... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 25:35-40

Jesus clarified the basis for judgment then. It would be reception or rejection of the King as seen in people’s reception or rejection of the King’s brothers. The King’s brothers are probably His faithful disciples who fulfill His will by preaching the gospel of the kingdom during the Tribulation (cf. Matthew 12:48-49; Matthew 28:10; Isaiah 58:7). Most of these will be Jews, including the 144,000, though some may be Gentile converts as well (cf. Revelation 7:1-8; Revelation 14:1-5). They will... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 25:41-45

Jesus will banish the goats and send them into eternal fire (cf. Matthew 13:24-43; Matthew 13:47-50; Revelation 14:11; Revelation 19:15). Jesus’ descriptions of hell were familiar to the Jews of His day (cf. Matthew 3:10; Matthew 3:12; Matthew 5:22; Matthew 7:19; Matthew 13:40; Matthew 13:42; Matthew 13:50; Matthew 18:8-9; Judges 1:7; Revelation 20:10-15). Only the righteous will enter the kingdom (Matthew 25:34). The fact that the goats will address Jesus as "Lord" (Matthew 25:44) does not... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 25:46

The goats (unbelievers) will go into eternal punishment in hell eventually instead of entering the messianic kingdom (cf. Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 13:40-43). This is the only place in Scripture where the term "eternal punishment" appears. Some interpreters believe that "eternal" here does not mean "everlasting" but pertaining to the age to come, which is eternal. [Note: E.g., France, The Gospel . . ., pp. 966-67.] They favor understanding Jesus to mean that the lost will suffer annihilation.... read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Matthew 25:31

25:31 comes (a-7) Or 'shall have come.' read more

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 25:46

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 25:3-46

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 25:31

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 25:31-46

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 25:32-33

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 25:34

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 25:35-40

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 25:41-45

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 25:46

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Matthew 25:31

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