The Final Judgment: Sheep and Goats
Matthew 25:31-46
Matt.25.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Οταν: CONJ
- δε: CONJ
- ελθη: VERB,aor,act,sub,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- υιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ανθρωπου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- δοξη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,3,m
- και: CONJ
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- αγγελοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- μετ᾽αυτου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,m
- τοτε: ADV
- καθισει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- επι: PREP
- θρονου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- δοξης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αυτου·: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Daniel 7:13-14 (allusion): The 'Son of Man coming with the clouds' who is given dominion, glory, and a throne is the background for Jesus' eschatological coming and enthronement in Matthew 25:31.
- Mark 8:38 (verbal): Explicit parallel language: the 'Son of Man' coming 'in the glory of his Father with the holy angels' echoes Matthew's 'Son of Man in his glory, and all the angels with him.'
- Matthew 24:30 (verbal): Within Matthew's own eschatological discourse the Son of Man's coming 'on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory' parallels the present verse's focus on visible, glorious arrival and final judgment.
- Revelation 19:11-16 (thematic): Depicts Christ's triumphant return as sovereign judge and king—imagery of coming in glory and exercising authority resonates with the throne and judgment motif in Matthew 25:31.
- Acts 1:11 (allusion): The angels' promise that Jesus 'will come in the same way' as his ascension functions as an early Christian affirmation of his future return, complementing Matthew's depiction of the Son of Man's coming with heavenly accompaniment.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.
- When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.
Matt.25.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- συναχθησονται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,pl
- εμπροσθεν: PREP
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,3,m
- παντα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- τα: ART,nom,pl,neut
- εθνη: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- αφορισει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- απ᾽αλληλων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,m
- ωσπερ: ADV
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ποιμην: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- αφοριζει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τα: ART,nom,pl,neut
- προβατα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- απο: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- εριφων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 13:49-50 (verbal): Same end‑of‑age scene: angels gather and separate the wicked from the righteous—language and function of separation closely parallel Matthew 25:32.
- Ezekiel 34:17-22 (allusion): Divine shepherd imagery and the motif of God ‘judging’/separating sheep from sheep (and addressing sheep/goat injustice); Matthew’s sheep/goat separation echoes Ezekiel’s pastoral judgment tradition.
- Matthew 13:30 (thematic): Parable of the tares and wheat—final harvest judgment separating good from evil; structurally similar portrayal of a delayed, decisive sorting at the end of the age.
- John 5:29 (thematic): Resurrection judgment described as a twofold outcome—those who have done good to resurrection of life, those who have done evil to resurrection of condemnation—reflects the same binary separation of destinies.
Alternative generated candidates
- Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
- Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
Matt.25.33 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- στησει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- τα: ART,nom,pl,neut
- μεν: PART
- προβατα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- εκ: PREP
- δεξιων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,3,m
- τα: ART,nom,pl,neut
- δε: CONJ
- εριφια: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- εξ: PREP
- ευωνυμων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 25:31 (structural): Immediate context: the Son of Man comes in glory, sits on his throne — sets the scene for the judgment in which the sheep and goats are separated.
- Matthew 25:46 (thematic): Conclusion of the judgment scene: final destinies assigned to the separated groups (eternal life vs. eternal punishment), which explains the significance of placing sheep at the right and goats at the left.
- Ezekiel 34:20-22 (verbal): God promises to 'judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and male goats' — a close lexical and judicial parallel to the separation of sheep and goats in Matthew's judgment scene.
- Daniel 7:9-10 (structural): Apocalyptic throne-judgment motif (Ancient of Days seated, books opened) parallels Matthew's depiction of the Son of Man on a throne executing final judgment.
- John 5:22-29 (thematic): Jesus' role as judge (given authority by the Father) and the presentation of resurrection to life and resurrection to judgment echo the Matthean theme of final sorting and consequences for deeds.
Alternative generated candidates
- He will set the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at his left.
- And he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at his left.
Matt.25.34 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τοτε: ADV
- ερει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- βασιλευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,m
- εκ: PREP
- δεξιων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- αυτου·Δευτε: PRON,gen,sg,m,3+VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- ευλογημενοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- πατρος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- κληρονομησατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- ητοιμασμενην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,m
- βασιλειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- απο: PREP
- καταβολης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- κοσμου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Luke 12:32 (thematic): Both speak of God/Father giving the kingdom to his people—an assurance to the 'little flock' that the Father will give them the kingdom, echoing the summons to inherit the prepared kingdom.
- Matthew 5:3 (thematic): Uses the same beatitude language ('blessed') linked directly to possession of the kingdom—connects the identity of the blessed with kingdom-inheritance language.
- Matthew 19:29 (verbal): Promises that those who leave homes for Jesus' sake 'will receive a hundredfold and inherit eternal life'—explicit inheritance language paralleling 'inherit the kingdom'.
- Ephesians 1:4-5 (allusion): Speaks of God's choosing/predestination 'before the foundation of the world' and the adoption/inheritance of believers—parallels Matthew's 'prepared…from the foundation of the world' and the idea of an appointed inheritance.
- Psalm 2:8 (thematic): Royal/sonship and inheritance imagery—'Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance' links the language of receiving a kingdom/possession to the divine grant to the king/son, resonant with Jesus addressing recipients as blessed and heirs.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the King will say to those at his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’
- Then the King will say to those at his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.'
Matt.25.35 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- επεινασα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- γαρ: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- εδωκατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- φαγειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- εδιψησα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- εποτισατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- ξενος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ημην: VERB,impf,act,ind,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- συνηγαγετε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
Parallels
- Luke 10:30-37 (thematic): The Good Samaritan story models compassion for a stranger in need—helping the wounded traveler as an exemplar of neighbor-love that parallels feeding and welcoming the hungry/stranger in Matthew 25.
- Hebrews 13:2 (allusion): ‘Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers’ echoes Matthew 25’s summons to welcome strangers and connects the practice of hospitality with divine encounters (entertaining angels unawares).
- Matt.10:40-42 (verbal): Jesus teaches that receiving his messengers is receiving him, and commends small acts of care (giving a cup of water) — closely related language and theocratic logic used in Matt. 25 about serving Christ by serving the needy.
- 1 John 3:17-18 (thematic): Urges believers to show practical love by meeting material need (feeding the hungry) as the true test of love, paralleling Matthew 25’s criterion of judgment based on caring for the hungry and thirsty.
- Isaiah 58:7 (allusion): The prophet’s call to share bread with the hungry and provide shelter for the wanderer provides an Old Testament precedent for the ethical demands voiced in Matthew 25 about feeding the hungry and welcoming strangers.
Alternative generated candidates
- For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you welcomed me;
- For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you welcomed me;
Matt.25.36 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- γυμνος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- περιεβαλετε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- ησθενησα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- επεσκεψασθε: VERB,aor,mid,ind,2,pl
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- εν: PREP
- φυλακη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- ημην: VERB,impf,act,ind,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- ηλθατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- προς: PREP
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
Parallels
- Matthew 25:35 (verbal): Immediate parallel within the same judgment scene listing acts of mercy (‘I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you welcomed me’) including the companion clause ‘naked and you clothed me.’
- Matthew 25:40 (structural): Concluding principle of the pericope: Jesus identifies acts of mercy to the vulnerable with service to himself (‘inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me’), which gives theological weight to the deeds named in 25:36.
- Luke 10:33-34 (thematic): The Good Samaritan’s compassionate care—binding wounds, pouring oil and wine, and taking the injured to an inn—illustrates the same ethic of visiting and caring for those in need that Matthew highlights.
- Hebrews 13:3 (verbal): Explicit exhortation to ‘remember those in prison as though you were in prison with them,’ echoing the call to visit and care for prisoners found in Matthew 25:36.
- James 2:15-16 (thematic): James’ critique that faith without works is useless uses the concrete example of clothing and feeding a needy brother, paralleling Matthew’s emphasis that providing clothing and care is essential moral action.
Alternative generated candidates
- I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison and you came to me.’
- I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison and you came to me.
Matt.25.37 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τοτε: ADV
- αποκριθησονται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,pl
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- δικαιοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- λεγοντες·Κυριε: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- ποτε: ADV
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
- ειδομεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- πεινωντα: PART,pres,act,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εθρεψαμεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- διψωντα: PART,pres,act,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εποτισαμεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 25:35-36 (structural): Immediate context listing the concrete acts (feeding the hungry, giving drink) that the righteous claim to have done — direct continuation of the same scene.
- Matthew 25:40 (structural): Jesus’ explanation that acts of mercy done to ‘the least of these’ are done to him — interprets the significance of the feeding/giving in 25:37.
- Matthew 10:42 (verbal): Jesus’ saying that even giving a cup of cold water to one of his disciples will be rewarded — a concise parallel to giving drink to the needy.
- Luke 10:30-37 (thematic): The Good Samaritan narrative emphasizes practical mercy to a needy stranger as true neighbor-love, echoing the theme of concrete care for the vulnerable.
- 1 John 3:17-18 (thematic): A moral exhortation that authentic Christian love is shown by meeting material needs (not merely words), resonating with the Matthew passage’s focus on deeds of feeding and giving drink.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
- Then those righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?'
Matt.25.38 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ποτε: ADV
- δε: CONJ
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
- ειδομεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- ξενον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- συνηγαγομεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- γυμνον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- περιεβαλομεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 25:35 (verbal): Part of the same saying listing the acts of mercy: 'I was a stranger and you welcomed me,' repeating the same language and context.
- Matthew 25:40 (structural): Provides the theological framing: acts of welcome and clothing are treated as done to Christ himself ('inasmuch as you did it to one of the least...' ).
- Matthew 10:40 (thematic): 'Whoever receives you receives me'—same theme equating receiving others (hosts/missionaries/strangers) with receiving Jesus.
- Hebrews 13:2 (allusion): Commands hospitality to strangers ('Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers...'), explicitly connecting welcome of strangers with unexpected divine encounter.
- James 2:15-17 (thematic): Stresses practical care (provide food and clothing) as necessary evidence of faith—parallels the call to clothe and care for those in need.
Alternative generated candidates
- When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
- And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
Matt.25.39 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ποτε: ADV
- δε: CONJ
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
- ειδομεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- ασθενουντα: PART,pres,act,acc,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- φυλακη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ηλθομεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- προς: PREP
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
Parallels
- Matthew 25:36 (verbal): The immediate parallel in the same judgment scene: the righteous describe visiting the sick and those in prison—almost identical language to v.39's question about when they did so.
- Matthew 25:40 (thematic): Explains the criterion underlying v.39: acts of mercy toward 'the least' are treated as done to Christ himself, tying visitation of the sick/prisoners to final judgment.
- Matthew 25:44 (structural): Contrasts with v.39 by recording the unrighteous' failure to visit the sick or imprisoned; together vv.39 and 44 form the positive/negative halves of the judgment narrative.
- Hebrews 13:3 (thematic): Calls Christians to remember and identify with prisoners and the suffering—echoing the ethical concern for visiting and caring for those in chains found in Matthew 25:39.
- Luke 10:30–37 (Good Samaritan) (thematic): Parable emphasizes concrete mercy toward a wounded stranger by visiting and caring for him—a comparable ethic of personal care for those in need reflected in the visitation of the sick and imprisoned.
Alternative generated candidates
- When did we see you sick or in prison and come to you?’
- When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?'
Matt.25.40 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- αποκριθεις: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- βασιλευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ερει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις·Αμην: PRON,dat,pl,3+PART
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,m
- εφ᾽οσον: CONJ
- εποιησατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- ενι: NUM,nom,sg,m
- τουτων: DEM,gen,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αδελφων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- ελαχιστων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- εμοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- εποιησατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
Parallels
- Matt.25.45 (structural): Direct counterpart within the same judgment scene: the negative parallel—'whatever you did not do to one of these least… you did not do to me'—frames the contrast and reinforces the corporate/identification motif.
- Matt.10.42 (verbal): Similar teaching-steadying formula about acts of mercy to the 'little ones' (giving a cup of water) and the promise of reward—links small compassionate deeds with divine reckoning.
- Luke 10:30–37 (thematic): The Good Samaritan narrative exemplifies neighborly care for the injured/neighbor as the concrete ethic of mercy toward those in need, echoing Matthew’s imperative to serve 'the least.'
- Hebrews 13:2 (thematic): Exhortation to show hospitality to strangers because some have entertained angels unaware parallels Matthew’s motif of unintended service to sacred persons in need.
- James 2:14–17 (thematic): Argument that genuine faith must be shown by deeds for the needy (e.g., providing food and clothing) resonates with Matthew’s linking of tangible acts of compassion to one’s standing before God.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
- And the King will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'
Matt.25.41 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τοτε: ADV
- ερει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,m
- εξ: PREP
- ευωνυμων·Πορευεσθε: NOUN,gen,pl,m+VERB,pres,mid/pass,imp,2,pl
- απ᾽εμου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,1
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- κατηραμενοι: PART,perf,pas,nom,pl,m
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,nom,sg,n
- πυρ: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- το: ART,nom,sg,n
- αιωνιον: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- το: ART,nom,sg,n
- ητοιμασμενον: PART,perf,pas,acc,sg,n
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- διαβολω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,m
- αγγελοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,3,m
Parallels
- Revelation 20:10 (verbal): Both texts locate the devil’s final doom in fiery punishment—Revelation explicitly records the devil thrown into the lake of fire, echoing Matthew’s 'fire...prepared for the devil and his angels.'
- Jude 1:6 (allusion): Jude speaks of angels who did not keep their domain and are now kept in gloomy chains for judgment—paralleling Matthew’s image of angels designated for the same punishment.
- 2 Peter 2:4 (allusion): Peter describes God’s judgment on sinning angels, having 'cast' them into Tartarus (chains of darkness) to be kept for judgment, a close thematic parallel to Matthew’s 'fire...prepared for the devil and his angels.'
- Matthew 25:46 (structural): Immediate literary parallel within the same discourse: verse 46 contrasts 'eternal punishment' with 'eternal life,' framing the destinies announced in v.41 (the condemned sent to eternal fire).
- Mark 9:43-48 (thematic): Jesus’ warnings about sin leading to being thrown into 'unquenchable fire' (quoting Isaiah) echo Matthew’s eternal-fire imagery and the severe eschatological consequences for the wicked.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then he will say to those at his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
- Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Matt.25.42 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- επεινασα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- γαρ: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- ουκ: PART
- εδωκατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- φαγειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- εδιψησα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- ουκ: PART
- εποτισατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
Parallels
- Matthew 25:35 (structural): Direct counterpart in the same passage: the positive form ('I was hungry and you gave me to eat') contrasts with 25:42's negative indictment ('you gave me nothing').
- Isaiah 58:7 (verbal): Prophetic injunction to feed the hungry and shelter the oppressed — language and ethic closely resonate with Jesus' demand to care for those in need.
- James 2:15-17 (thematic): Argues that faith without acts that meet bodily needs (food, clothing) is dead; parallels Jesus' condemnation for failing to feed and drink for the needy.
- Luke 3:11 (thematic): John the Baptist's call to share food and clothing with those who have none echoes the same ethical imperative to provide for the hungry and thirsty.
- Proverbs 19:17 (allusion): Wisdom affirmation that giving to the poor is as giving to the LORD parallels Matthew's theme that service to the needy is service to Christ.
Alternative generated candidates
- For I was hungry and you gave me no food; I was thirsty and you gave me no drink;
- For I was hungry and you gave me no food; I was thirsty and you gave me no drink;
Matt.25.43 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ξενος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ημην: VERB,impf,act,ind,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- ου: PART
- συνηγαγετε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- γυμνος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ου: PART
- περιεβαλετε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- ασθενης: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- φυλακη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ουκ: PART
- επεσκεψασθε: VERB,aor,mid,ind,2,pl
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
Parallels
- Matthew 25:35-36 (structural): Immediate parallel in the same judgment discourse listing acts of mercy (welcoming strangers, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned) — here cited in the negative.
- Matthew 25:40 (thematic): Summarizes the criterion for judgment: care for the ‘least’ is treated as care for Christ himself — explains significance of the neglected acts named in v.43.
- Luke 10:30-37 (thematic): Parable of the Good Samaritan models neighborly mercy to a stranger in need (binding wounds, providing care), echoing the obligation to aid those who are vulnerable.
- James 2:15-17 (verbal): Condemns faith without works by citing concrete needs (clothing and food) and the failure to meet them — similar concern for practical care of the needy.
- Isaiah 58:6-7 (allusion): Prophetic call to true righteousness expressed by feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and clothing the naked — thematically anticipates the ethical demands Jesus cites.
Alternative generated candidates
- I was a stranger and you did not welcome me; naked and you did not clothe me; sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’
- I was a stranger and you did not welcome me; naked and you did not clothe me; sick and in prison and you did not visit me.'
Matt.25.44 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τοτε: ADV
- αποκριθησονται: VERB,fut,mid/pass,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- αυτοι: PRON,nom,pl,m
- λεγοντες·Κυριε: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- ποτε: ADV
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
- ειδομεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- πεινωντα: PART,pres,act,acc,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- διψωντα: PART,pres,act,acc,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ξενον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- γυμνον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ασθενη: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- φυλακη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ου: PART
- διηκονησαμεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- σοι: PRON,dat,sg,2
Parallels
- Matt.25.35-36 (structural): Immediate context listing the same categories (hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick, imprisoned) that the condemned claim they did not minister to.
- Matt.25.40 (quotation): Jesus' interpretive statement that whatever is done (or not done) to 'the least of these' is done to him — explains the moral and eschatological significance of the acts mentioned in 25:44.
- Luke 10:30-37 (thematic): Parable of the Good Samaritan models compassion toward a vulnerable stranger and the obligation to minister to bodily need across social boundaries.
- James 2:15-16 (verbal): Argues that faith without works is useless, using the concrete example of failing to provide food and clothing for needy brothers — parallels the practical neglect described in Matthew 25:44.
- Isaiah 58:6-7 (allusion): Prophetic call to loose the chains, share bread with the hungry and clothe the naked — a scriptural background for Israelite/Jewish expectations about caring for the poor reflected in Matthew 25.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’
- They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?'
Matt.25.45 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τοτε: ADV
- αποκριθησεται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις: PRON,dat,pl,m
- λεγων·Αμην: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,m
- εφ᾽οσον: CONJ
- ουκ: PART
- εποιησατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- ενι: NUM,nom,sg,m
- τουτων: DEM,gen,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- ελαχιστων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- ουδε: CONJ
- εμοι: PRON,dat,sg
- εποιησατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 25:40 (verbal): Direct positive counterpart in the same judgment scene: 'Whatever you did for one of the least of these... you did for me.' Matt 25:45 is the negative corollary.
- Luke 10:37 (thematic): Good Samaritan story defining neighbor and moral duty to help those in need—theme of compassionate action toward the 'least.'
- James 2:14-17 (thematic): Argues that faith without works is dead, using failure to clothe/feed needy brothers as an example—ethical parallel about obligations to the poor.
- Proverbs 19:17 (LXX/MT) (allusion): LXX/MT proverb linking kindness to the poor with lending to the Lord ('Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD'), echoing Matthew's equation of service to the needy with service to Jesus.
- Hebrews 13:2 (thematic): Exhortation to show hospitality—'some have entertained angels unaware'—underscores the spiritual significance of caring for strangers/least, resonating with Matthew's judgment motif.
Alternative generated candidates
- He will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’
- Then he will reply, 'Truly I tell you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.'
Matt.25.46 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- απελευσονται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,pl
- ουτοι: DEM,nom,pl,m
- εις: PREP
- κολασιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αιωνιον: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- δικαιοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- εις: PREP
- ζωην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αιωνιον: ADJ,acc,sg,n
Parallels
- Matthew 25:41 (verbal): Same judgment scene in Matthew 25: the condemned are sent into 'eternal fire' prepared for the devil — closely parallels 'eternal punishment' language and the courtroom/king's-sheep-goat structure.
- Matthew 13:41-42 (verbal): Jesus speaks of angels throwing the wicked into a furnace of fire where there will be 'weeping and gnashing of teeth' — a parallel description of final destruction/eternal punishment using similar imagery and admonition.
- Matthew 10:28 (thematic): Warning to fear the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna; thematically related as a warning about divine judgment and the reality of final punishment for the wicked.
- Romans 2:6-7 (thematic): Paul’s judgment formula — God 'will repay each person according to their deeds': eternal life for those who seek glory, honor and immortality, but wrath and fury for those who do not — parallels Matthew’s contrast between eternal life and eternal punishment.
- Revelation 20:10,14-15 (thematic): The final judgment images (the devil in the lake of fire; death and Hades thrown into the lake of fire; the wicked excluded from the book of life) echo Matthew’s depiction of irrevocable, eschatological punishment contrasted with eternal life for the righteous.
Alternative generated candidates
- And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’
- And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.'
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.
Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
He will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at his left.
Then the King will say to those at his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you welcomed me;
I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison and you came to me.”
Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?” And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”
Then he will say to those at his left, “Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me no food; I was thirsty and you gave me no drink;
I was a stranger and you did not welcome me; naked and you did not clothe me; sick and in prison and you did not visit me.”
Then they also will answer, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?”
Then he will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.