Matthew 25:32 — Community Reflections

MATTHEW 25:32 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:”

Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. The universal gathering of all nations before the throne is the cosmic scope of the judgment: every nation, not just Israel or the church, stands before the Son of Man. The shepherd-and-separation image draws on Ezekiel 34:17 (God judging between the sheep and the rams and the goats).

Church Fathers on Matthew 25:32

After the parables concerning the end of the world the Lord proceeds to describe the manner of the judgment to come.
Rabanus Maurus · 9th century

To this most sweet section of Scripture which we cease not continually to ponder, let us now listen with all attention and compunction of spirit, for Christ does indeed clothe this discourse with more terrors and vividness. He does not accordingly say of this as of the others, 'The kingdom of heaven is like,' but shews of Himself by direct revelation, saying, 'When the Son of man shall come in his majesty.'
Chrysostom · 4th century · Hom. lxxix

He who was within two days to celebrate the passover, to be delivered to the cross, and mocked by men, fitly now holds out the glory of His triumph, that He may overbalance the offences that were to follow by the promise of reward. And it is to be noted, that He who shall be seen in majesty is the Son of Man.
Jerome · 4th century

Read all 37 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

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