📖 Biblical Definition
Christ's description of the final judgment in Matthew 25:31-46. The Son of Man comes in glory; all nations are gathered before Him; He separates the sheep from the goats. The sheep are commended for feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and the prisoners; the goats are condemned for failing to do the same. The sheep are surprised: when saw we thee an hungred? Christ answers: inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
SHEEP AND GOAT, n.
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A scriptural account of Christ; the final judgment of sheep and goats.
📖 Key Scripture
Matthew 25:32 — "Before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats."
Matthew 25:40 — "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
Matthew 25:41 — "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels."
Matthew 25:46 — "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity sometimes uses Matthew 25 to preach social-gospel salvation by works; the criterion is treatment of Christ's brethren.
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Matthew 25:31-46 is one of the most-cited passages in modern social-gospel preaching: feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and you are saved. The exegesis is too quick. The criterion in Christ's parable is treatment of one of the least of these my brethren — specifically, His suffering disciples. The judgment of the nations is partly based on how they treat Christ's people in their suffering.
The application is not works-righteousness but evidential. Genuine sheep do reflect the heart of the Shepherd toward suffering brothers; goats do not. Care for the persecuted church around the world; visit the imprisoned saint; feed the missionary; clothe the believer in need. The Lord receives such service as service to Himself.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek roots below.
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G4263 — probaton — sheep
G2056 — eriphos — goat
Usage
"Modern social-gospel preaching uses Matthew 25 too quickly; the criterion is care of Christ's brethren."
"Genuine sheep reflect the Shepherd's heart toward suffering brothers."
"Care for the persecuted church; visit the imprisoned saint; feed the missionary."