A study of MATT 25:31-46

Question 1

What is before the parable of the Sheep and the Goat?

Answer 1

This passage follows immediately after the ‘Parable of the 10 virgins’.

Question 2

What is the parable of the 10 Virgins about?

Answer 2

They need to be watchful in case of the sudden coming of Christ.

Question 3

What is this section about?

Answer 3

the judgement of God and the separation of the faithful from the unfaithful. Jesus writes when the ‘Son of Man’ comes and separated people according to their deeds

Question 4

What is the Olivet Discourse

Answer 4

the teaching of Jesus given on the Mount of Olives

Question 5

Why was this parable given?

Answer 5

Jesus had been asked by his followers to tell them more about the end of time and the signs they should look for

Question 6

What passage is known as the parable of the ‘Sheep and the Goats’?

Answer 6

Matthew 25:31-46

Question 7

What issues does the parable of the Sheep and the Goats raise?

Answer 7

• theological issue of the title used by Jesus, ‘Son of Man’ – was he referring to himself, or did he not understand himself to be the long-awaited Messiah and was referring to some other figure?
• makes a sharp distinction between the Sheep and the Goat – there is no middle ground.
• those who are rewarded with the promise of eternal life with God are those who have taken care of other people in need. They have given food to the hungry, clothes to the naked, they have cared for the sick and visited people in prison. There is nothing about their beliefs, no mention of the need for them to be Christians, or even of the need for them to believe in God at all
• the goats in the parable face a harsh and eternal punishment, and similarly, at first it is difficult to see what they have done that is so wrong.

Question 8

What is the Christian interpretation of the text that insinuates the reason the ‘sheep’ behave in the way they do?

Answer 8

a result of, rather than a cause of, their salvation. God has ‘prepared a place for them’ from eternity and because of their faith in God, it is argued, they are displaying the characteristics of Christian love that follow from having been given the Holy Spirit. Faith is, therefore, seen as inextricably linked with ‘good works’.

Question 9

What is the counterargument for the criticism point of the parable; the goats in the parable face a harsh and eternal punishment, and similarly, at first it is difficult to see what they have done that is so wrong

Answer 9

the answer is not that they have done something bad, but they have failed to take opportunities they could have taken to do good to others the parable is saying that when people have an opportunity to do good to those in need, but ignore it, they are ignoring Christ