Matthew 25:41, commentary and pictures

When the Son of man comes in glory with all the holy angels and sits on the throne, all nations are gathered before him and separated as sheep from goats, the righteous on the right and the unrighteous on the left, according to what was done or neglected for Christ in the poor and suffering. To those on the left the King as supreme Judge says to depart, which is final and irrevocable exclusion from his presence, fellowship, kingdom and the joys of heaven. They are cursed by God's retributive sentence and sent into the everlasting fire originally made for Satan the originator of iniquity and his angels, which the wicked share only because they rejected the mercy Jesus purchased to claim them as his own. They are condemned not for great crimes but for what they did not do, for every neglect of the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick, imprisoned, widowed, orphaned and destitute is counted as neglect done to Christ himself who identifies with suffering humanity. This sentence is pronounced when he comes in glory after probation and work have ended, after investigation from the books according to works, upon the wicked raised in the second resurrection at the close of the thousand years, followed by consuming fire from God.

Setting and Wording of Sentence

The sentence belongs to the judgment scene when the Son of man comes in glory with all the holy angels, sits upon the throne of his glory, has all nations gathered before him, and separates them as a shepherd divides sheep from goats, setting the sheep on the right hand and the goats on the left. In that final reckoning there are only two parties, the righteous and the unrighteous, the children of God on the right and the disobedient, unthankful and unholy on the left, and not all are saved though every person may be saved by believing in Christ as a personal Saviour. The decision turns on what was done or neglected for Christ in the poor and suffering, for service to those who suffer for his name is recognized as service to himself, and failure to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, take in the stranger, clothe the naked, and visit the sick and those in prison is counted as failure done to him, so that those who failed go away into everlasting punishment while the righteous go into life eternal. Many will then be disappointed and surprised at the sentence, not thinking they had done anything particularly wrong, having no part with him and knowing nothing about him so that they could not enjoy life in his kingdom.

The discourse containing the sentence was given shortly before entering Gethsemane, after a day of teaching and warning in which Jesus was wearied by his work and by questions, including the questions of the Pharisees. The speaker is the King, the Son of man, the Master, the supreme Judge and Judge of all the earth, whose sentence decides destiny forever and specifies a reward for each party. He is both the one who lovingly invites sinners to pardon and peace and the righteous judge who punishes those who reject that mercy, including his enemies.

“Depart from me” is a final, irrevocable doom pronounced at the judgment beyond this life, meaning separation forever from Christ himself, from his presence, fellowship and kingdom, and from the joys and glory of heaven. Those told to depart have no part with him, for their lives were not hidden with him but absorbed by earthly concerns, and they could not enjoy life in his kingdom, hearing in effect that he knows them not. It falls on those who sell honor and integrity for earthly advantage, bribes, praise or position, whose gain gotten by iniquity and oppression is worthless dross to be consumed in fire, yielding only unrest in life, a thorny death, and then condemnation, while those who hold undeviating integrity though hated, insulted, falsely accused and thrust from position have God’s seal and his well done prepared for them. It warns that those who have rejected him will be sent away from God’s presence to share the humiliation and punishment of Satan and his angels, and it applies to parents who neglect their children’s training and live chiefly to please themselves rather than serve others in self-denial and self-sacrifice, whose wrong course can determine their children’s destiny, with the same Depart pronounced upon wicked children and upon their unfaithful parents when cases are decided and the acts of entire lives are laid open before God and the Lamb and all the holy angels.

“Ye cursed” is God’s terrible act of retribution in which those who outlawed themselves from God are themselves outlawed by his sentence, showing that God does not clear the guilty. The curse is pronounced after the gates of the holy city are shut, as Satan gathers the wicked to attack the city, and it precedes the execution of judgment when fire from God consumes the wicked. “Everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” means the punishment was originally made for Satan, the originator of iniquity, and his angels. The devil and his angels remain active enemies seeking to do harm, as when the devil led Adam and Eve into transgression, calling for vigilance and close attention to Christ. People perish there with them only unless Jesus claims those he purchased at the cost of his own sufferings in the flesh, for he looks upon his purchased people with infinite tenderness, unutterable affection and deep love, not wanting them to perish but to claim them as his chosen ones, his own property and the claim of his love, giving the fragrance of his own righteousness to his loved ones who believe in him.

Time and Order of Judgment

The sentence to depart into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels is pronounced after judgment, not at death, when cases have been investigated from the books and each is rewarded according to works and the character of works. The review examines characters and deeds, and the condemnation falls not only on revolting crimes and outbreaking sins but especially on neglecting to do what could and ought to have been done through lack of moral qualifications placed within reach when divinity was clothed with humanity to bring moral power within reach of human effort. If the wicked were already writhing in flames, to call them out to hear the doom would be solemn mockery impeaching the wisdom and justice of God.

It is delivered when Christ comes in glory, after probation has ended and the time for work has closed. Then the whole world stands in two classes only, the just and the unjust, the righteous and the unrighteous, with signs and wonders in the heavens preceding the sign of the Son of man. There is no preparation after He comes, so all face judgment with the character formed during probation, with the direction of life and actions and omissions deciding eternal destiny while Christ no longer pleads the case. Neglect of the hungry and naked and failure to act justly and mercifully then stand revealed, with wealth used for self-exaltation instead of becoming rich toward God, and when earthly riches and idols perish the fear of perishing is regret but not repentance.

The wicked are raised and gathered before the King at the close of the thousand years, in the second resurrection, and the sentence is not pronounced before Christ's coming. Balaam will rise then with the wicked, hear this doom, and be shut out while the redeemed are in the city of God. After the gates of the holy city are shut and Satan gathers the condemned to attack the city, the curse is pronounced and then precedes its execution, when fire from God consumes the wicked.

Reason for Condemnation

Those on the left are condemned because when he was hungry they gave him no food, when thirsty no drink, as a stranger they did not take him in, when naked they did not clothe him, and when sick and in prison they did not visit him, and for this they go away into everlasting punishment while the righteous go into life eternal. The sentence falls on the two final classes, on the goats set on the left when all nations are separated as sheep from goats, and it decides destiny forever. The condemned will plead that they never saw him hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, only to be answered that inasmuch as they did it not to one of the least of these they did it not to him.

Every neglect of the needy poor, the orphan and fatherless, the widow, the homeless, the afflicted, and the destitute and despised of every nationality is counted as neglect done to him himself. This is because of complete oneness between him and his suffering disciples, for he identifies himself with suffering humanity, with the least of his brethren and saints, and with every child of humanity as brother, having become a member of the earthly family and made their case his own. Failure to feed, welcome, clothe, or visit the suffering is therefore failure to serve him, and those whose lives were not hidden with him and whose attention was absorbed by earthly concerns are separated from him for it. To withhold means that would place help within reach of his humble, worthy poor who are sick and unable to pay is to fail to minister to him.

They feasted from bountifully spread tables while he famished in hovel or street not far from them, rested at ease with closed doors while well-furnished rooms stood unoccupied leaving him nowhere to lay his head, crowded wardrobes with abundant changeable suits needlessly squandered that might have been given to the needy leaving him destitute of comfortable apparel, enjoyed health while he was sick, and roamed free pursuing pleasure while misfortune cast him into prison and bound him with fetters, bowing down his spirit and depriving him of freedom and hope. At best they gave only a pittance of bread and flimsy garments without truly seeking him. Such contempt for the poor, while shutting themselves away in costly dwellings, is neglect of the Lord of glory himself in their person.

The terrible punishment threatened to those on the left is not because of great crimes committed but for what was not done, for failing to do what heaven assigned them to do. The judgment concerns omissions, neglected opportunities, and failure to use God-given abilities, provisions, and entrusted property for good, and denunciation is not confined to the most revolting crimes and actual outbreaking sins but falls especially on neglecting to do what could and ought to have been done. Those who merely lived for themselves and pleased themselves receive the same condemnation as those who did evil, and having pleased themselves they take their portion with self-pleasers. This lack came through want of the moral qualifications he made every provision to place within reach of every sinner, for he clothed divinity with humanity and came so humanity might touch humanity and bring moral power to combine with human effort.

Refusing the self-denying work of caring for orphans because it brings unwanted work and leaves little time to please self, teaching the ignorant, pitying and reforming the erring and evil, relieving the humble worthy poor who are sick and unable to pay, and cooperating with him is falling under this curse. Heaven is for workers who have denied themselves for his sake, and no provision is made for do-nothing, illiberal, selfish souls who love and look out for themselves and were receivers but not producers. Those condemned withheld the means they should have imparted, neglected the widow and fatherless in destitution, did not feed the hungry or clothe the naked, did not cooperate with him in his great firm, and did not in love draw near to the members of his family. Selfish refusal to take trouble to care for others will be revealed in the day of God, when those left in degradation bear witness against those who neglected them, and can result in souls being lost.

Character and Fate of Condemned

The condemned stand surprised at the sentence, not thinking they had done anything particularly wrong and unconscious of their guilt and neglect. Satan has blinded them, and absorbed in themselves and earthly concerns and indifferent to others' needs they have treated fellow beings unjustly without realizing it. They trained themselves in the school of self-indulgence instead of having Christ interwoven into character, and their attention was absorbed by earthly concerns. Because their lives were not hidden with him they are separated from him and have no part with him, for they know nothing about him and could not enjoy life in his kingdom.

They chose self-service over service to Christ, seeking advantage for themselves, living chiefly to please themselves and loving and looking out for themselves. Though they had God's word and may have understood its teachings, they did not practice godliness, develop Christ's character, value his sacrifice, or take his yoke of self-denial and willing service, but used their abilities for themselves and the world. Profession of godliness cannot make up for lives without Christ's character and grace. By devoting their powers to self they lose heaven and the eternity of bliss they might have had. Heaven is for workers who have denied themselves for Christ's sake, and no provision is made for do-nothing, illiberal, selfish souls who refuse unwanted work in caring for orphans and who merely lived for themselves receive the same condemnation as those who did evil.

This is especially the rich, to whom God gave wealth and entrusted property and abundance to relieve and comfort his suffering children, but who feel superior to their poor brethren. They shut themselves away in costly dwellings and splendid churches, spend his means on pride, selfishness, self-gratification and ambition, hoard for self while the poor lack necessities, withhold means from the poor and the gospel, and squander means while others suffer hunger and nakedness. They use wealth to exalt themselves instead of becoming rich toward God, rob Christ by clever schemes and sharp dealing, oppression, double dealing and fraud, and every such act is registered. All gain gotten that way is worthless dross yielding only unrest and discontent in life, a thorny death, and then condemnation, and the poor will rise in judgment against those who turned from God through selfish extravagance.

The same Depart falls on those who sell honor and integrity for earthly advantage, bribes, praise or position, staining their hands with iniquity and oppression. It falls on those who wear religion as a mask, refuse to contemplate the character of God or understand and obey his will, follow the imaginations of their own evil hearts, suppose God honors the rich and those in high positions, have little regard for the poor, ignorant and afflicted, give no encouragement to virtue and no consolation and substantial help, and aid degradation as if there were no God, no heaven, no hell. It falls on those who despise grace, refuse the offer of salvation, rebel against God's government, join the deceiver and practice and advance his purposes with rebellion within, hesitate to obey truth and are ashamed to stand under Christ's banner as doers of the Word and keepers of his law until truth becomes a dead letter. It falls on those who by example cause many to err and lead them away from the commandments, who mistreat and drive away the weak, oppress the poor stranger, fail to bear fruit with entrusted opportunities and gifts, neglect spiritual duties and refuse to serve Christ and his cause, and use sharp, keen, designing selfish principles in God's service.

Their destiny is everlasting punishment while the righteous go into life eternal, departing as cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. They have no part in heaven, share Satan's portion and humiliation, experience the second death, and are forever banished from the divine presence and from heaven's joys and glory. The sentence decides forever. When earthly riches and idols perish their regret and fear that they too will perish is not repentance. Their final shameful awakening outside the city comes too late when opportunity to repent is past, and they acknowledge with lamentation that they dishonored the Redeemer, scorned mercy, and chose Satan's side.

What Judgment Reveals About Faith

Treatment of the needy in this judgment exposes whether professed faith was real, for membership alone does not secure entrance into the kingdom. What decides the reward is what was done or left undone for people in need, not mere profession, since neglect of the poor and needy is counted as neglect of Christ himself. Love for Christ is shown by works of care, and acts done from love, even small ones, are accepted and rewarded by God. Those told to depart chose self-service over service to him, and though they had the word and may have understood its teachings, they did not practice godliness or develop a character like his. They failed to value his sacrifice, refused the self-denial and willing service of his yoke, used their abilities for themselves and the world, and their profession of godliness could not make up for lives without his character and grace.

Works are the standard in the Judge's decision, yet good works grow out of justification by faith, springing from true faith as its fruit as fruit is borne by a tree. All stand before the eternal God who made the world through Christ and judges without error, and his judging involves no compulsion, threats, harsh words, or condemnation fixed in advance. The test is cherishing his principles and becoming a blessing through the divine Spirit, not knowledge of theology. Even among the heathen are those who cherish kindness, befriend his workers at peril of life, worship ignorantly without human teaching, hear his voice in nature, do what the law requires, and show by works that the Spirit has touched their hearts. They are recognized as God's children, will hear approval, and will not perish, for he identifies himself with every child of humanity as brother, having become a member of the earthly family to make men members of the heavenly family, so that every deed of kindness to lift a fallen soul and every act of mercy is accepted as done to him, while failure to minister is failure toward him.

From his throne he stoops to catch every sound from the race and approves or condemns every action according to its good or evil nature, especially regard for human brotherhood. Belonging to him is shown by doing his works, including sacrificing self-interest to benefit sufferers, while failure to serve him by helping the needy excludes from sharing in his kingdom and leaves to everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Those condemned wear religion as a mask, refuse to contemplate God's character or understand and obey his will, and do as they please following the imaginations of their own evil hearts. They suppose God honors the rich and those in high position, have little regard for the poor, ignorant and afflicted, give no encouragement to virtue and no consolation and substantial help by which the poor might be relieved, aid degradation as if there were no God, heaven or hell, and if they do not repent and reform will receive according to evil works. He came into a sinful world taking humanity and living in poverty, tempted in every way as people are yet without sin, so no sinner can claim he does not know their temptations and hardships. For this he clothed divinity with humanity so that humanity might touch humanity and bring moral power within reach of every sinner to combine with human effort, and the condemnation falls especially on neglecting what could and ought to have been done when left undone through lack of the moral qualifications thus provided.

Present Warning and Duty

Matthew 25 through verse 46 is to be studied and compared with the life record, for it calls to account for opportunities and God-given abilities, and church membership alone does not secure entrance into the kingdom. Earnest self-examination by the Word now decides whether one will stand at the right or the left when work is ended, and character formed during probation determines destiny. The lesson is to prepare to meet the Lord by learning to obey God and using abilities faithfully, overcoming sin and indifference while Christ pleads. Christ came into a sinful world taking humanity and living in poverty, tempted in every way yet without sin, so no one can claim He does not know human temptation and hardship.

Boasting and self-sufficiency must be put away because they are fearfully dangerous and make His words of no effect. Every action that does not bear God's approval must be put away before the appointed day comes near the close of earth's history, when the battle grows daily more fierce and the Judge of all the earth pronounces sentence against Satan and his adherents and against men who bowed to Satan's mandates. Instead there is to be walking in humility and true faith by committing to the Saviour day by day, denying self, taking up the cross, following in obedience, and giving close attention to Christ in vigilance against the active enemy who led Adam and Eve into transgression.

People are judged in relation to how they treated those in need, for neglect of God's suffering people is neglect of Christ and failure to care shows rejection of Him. The question whether He can say Come, ye blessed makes the judgment a test of practical benevolence, of whether conduct reflects His spirit and work, and of faithful stewardship of what God entrusted. Missed opportunities of unfaithful stewards stand as a record, and refusing care and devotion to others is refusing them to Christ. Impatience and unchristlike disposition that make religion distasteful to family and associates, neglect of neighbors' salvation, and refusal to live as His representatives must therefore be repented now while opportunity to help others prepare still lasts.

Those entrusted with abundance must act as faithful stewards by feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, sheltering the stranger, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and relieving suffering humanity. Neglect of the naked, hungry, destitute and despised of every nationality is neglect done to the Son of God Himself, who identifies Himself with suffering humanity and calls the needy His brethren. To withhold means that would place the Health Institute where it can help the humble worthy poor who are sick and unable to pay full price is to fail to minister to Christ and to fall under the curse, while liberally taking stock to enable that help is to minister to Christ. Using for self-gratification the money God gave to be used for Him, hoarding wealth while the poor lack necessities, loving to be thought rich while robbing God, and wasting time in idle talk and foolish amusement for worldly pleasure brings strict account and trades eternal life for everlasting punishment.

The same Depart that separates wicked children forever from the joys and glories of heaven and from Christ's presence is pronounced upon unfaithful parents whose wrong course, misspent time, and neglect of children's training determined their children's destiny. Parents who live chiefly to please themselves rather than serve others in faithful self-denial and self-sacrifice to do good meet infinite loss, for Jesus never says Well done to those who have not earned it. Bringing children into the world and then forsaking a rightful wife, leaving her to bear the burden of support, failing to bring earnings into the house and pay honest debts, is robbery held against a man, and without thorough conversion and payment there is not a semblance of a chance to enter the kingdom. Ministers also will be spoken to and asked what they did for Him in searching and understanding the Word, bringing it into daily life and character, exercising burning living faith, and seeking to save perishing souls purchased by His blood.