Matthew 25:33 (WEB)
He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Catechism · 6
"I Believe in Life Everlasting"
“Our Lord warns us that we shall be separated from him if we fail to meet the serious needs of the poor and the little ones who are his brethren.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 25:31-46.
The Sacrament of the Eucharist
“"Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us," is present in many ways to his Church: in his word, in his Church's prayer, "where two or three are gathered in my name," in the poor, the sick, and the imprisoned,” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 25:31-46.
The Seventh Commandment
“It is by what they have done for the poor that Jesus Christ will recognize his chosen ones.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 25:31-36.
“Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. the corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 25:31-46.
The Seven Petitions
“This petition of the Lord's Prayer cannot be isolated from the parables of the poor man Lazarus and of the Last Judgment.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Lk 16:19-31; Mt 25:31-46.
The Mysteries of Christ's Life
“Jesus identifies himself with the poor of every kind and makes active love toward them the condition for entering his kingdom.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 25:31-46.
Fathers and councils · 68
Augustine of Hippo
“This expression, “at the right hand,” therefore, we must understand to signify a position in supremest blessedness, where righteousness and peace and joy are; just as the kids are set on the left hand, that is to say, in misery, by reason of unrighteousness, labors, and torments.” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 33
Read the whole comment“But seeing He is also to come openly and in the sight of all to judge the quick and the dead, He hath prepared His seat in the hidden judgment: and He shall also openly “judge the world in equity:” that is, He shall distribute gifts proportioned to desert, setting the sheep on His right hand, and the goats on His left.” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 33.
Read the whole comment“For the Apostle saith, “God sent His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, that through sin He might condemn sin in the flesh:” that is, He clothed His Own Son with sackcloth, that through sackcloth He might condemn the goats.” — editor's note: Lat. de cilicio; i.e., sackcloth made of goats’ hair. [Acts xvii. 3 and xxi. 39.—C.] Compare Matt. xxv. 32, 33.
Read the whole comment“Upon the right keep good men, on the left keep evil men, until there come the fan: occupy nevertheless all nations; bidden to the marriage be good men and evil men, filled be the marriage with guests; it is the office of servants to bid, of the Lord to sever.” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 33.
Read the whole comment“…tribulations, when the night of all tribulations hath been spent, on the right hand I may be found among the sheep, not on the left hand among the goats.” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 33.
Read the whole comment“…thought that they would sit with Thee, even out of that number who thought that they would stand at Thy right hand, being severed from the left-hand goats: not that when any one hath there stood, he shall afterwards fall, or when any one with Him hath sat, he shall be cast away; but that many men were to fall into…” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 33.
Read the whole comment“There will then be a manifestation of Thy righteousness and judgment: some will be set on the right, others on the left hand: and the unbelieving will tremble, when they see what now they mock at, and believe not: the righteous will rejoice, when they shall see what they now see not, yet believe.” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 33.
Read the whole comment“…and suffers him not, in greater anger, to prosper in his sins, but in His mercy scourgeth him with the left, that He may place him purified on His right hand.” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 33.
Read the whole comment“For He will come, and will judge, so as to place some on the left hand, some on the right.” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 31–33.
Read the whole comment“A time will come, when Christ, appearing in his glory, shall gather all nations before Him.” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 32, 33.
Read the whole comment“For there, those on the left hand shall go away into eternal burning, but the righteous into life eternal.” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 33–46.
Read the whole comment“…will take place at the last judgment, the righteous being requited with a reward, sinners with condemnation—when the sheep shall be separated from the goats.” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 33, 46.
Read the whole comment“And when the dead are risen, He will divide them, as He Himself saith, “and He shall set some on the right hand, and some on the left.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 33.
Read the whole comment“Recollect the right Hand and the left of our Judge; recollect where the goats shall stand, and where the sheep; and it will be plain to you where is the right hand, where the left, the white and the black, the lightsome, and the darksome, the fair and the deformed, that…” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 33.
Read the whole comment“They suppose that this was the reason why the Judge Himself of quick and dead declined to mention anything else than works of mercy done or omitted, when awarding to those on His right hand life eternal, and to those on His left everlasting punishment.” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 33.
Read the whole comment“…when He shall say to the former, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom,” and to the latter, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 31–46
Read the whole comment“He will say to them, “Since ye gave to one of the least of mine, ye gave to me.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 31–40.
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Irenaeus of Lyons
“…the lambs into the kingdom prepared for them, but to send the goats into everlasting fire, which has been prepared by His Father for the devil and his angels.” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 33, etc.
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Theodoret of Cyrus
“Furthermore to sit upon a throne of glory and to set the lambs upon the right and the kids upon the left indicates limitation.” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 31–33
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John Chrysostom
“…when He has separated the one from the other, then will He speak in the audience of all, and will “set” them “on His right hand” and “on” His “left” ( Matt. xxv. 33 ): “I was an hungered and ye gave Me no meat.”” — the author cites it
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Jerome
“You may be fair, and of all faces yours may be the dearest to the Bridegroom; yet, unless you know yourself, and keep your heart with all diligence, unless also you avoid the eyes of the young men, you will be turned out of My bride-chamber to feed the goats, which shall be set on the left hand.” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 33.
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Ephrem the Syrian
“Blessed be He Who came and in Him were accomplished the mysteries of the left hand, and the right hand.” — editor's note: Mat. xxv. 33.
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Tertullian
“…(desired) end of the man, grace your harangue with all the allurements of mercy in your power, and under the parable of the “ewe” go in quest of your goats? do you, for fear lest your “ewe” again take a leap out from the flock—as if that were no more lawful for the future which was not even once lawful—fill all the…” — editor's note: Comp. Matt. xxv. 32, 33.
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Cyprian of Carthage
“And these shall go away into everlasting burning: but the righteous into life eternal.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 31–46.
Read the whole comment“And these shall go away into everlasting burning, but the righteous into life eternal.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 31–46.
Read the whole comment“And these shall go away into everlasting burning: but the righteous into life eternal.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 31–46.
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Gregory of Nazianzus
“And it was chosen, not only out of the lambs, but also out of the inferior species, which are placed on the left hand—the kids; because He is sacrificed not only for the righteous, but also for sinners; and perhaps even more for these, inasmuch as we have greater need of His mercy.” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 33.
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Catena Aurea on Matthew
- Remigius of AuxerreCatena Aurea on Matthew
“Christ Himself is Phares ‘the divider,’ as it is written, “Thou shalt divide the sheep from the goats;” [Matt 25:33] He is Zaram [ed. note, l: זרח; in Zech. 6:12, it is זרח], ‘the east,’ “Lo the man, the east is His name;” [Zech 6:12]; He is Esrom [ed. note, m:…” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment - Rabanus MaurusCatena Aurea on Matthew
After the parables concerning the end of the world the Lord proceeds to describe the manner of the judgment to come.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
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…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
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…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
The wicked and they also who shall be set on His right hand shall see Him in human shape, for He shall appear in the judgment in that form which He took on Him from us; but it shall be afterwards that He shall be…
Read the whole comment - Remigius of AuxerreCatena Aurea on Matthew
These words overthrow the error of those who said that the Lord should not continue in the same form of a servant. By “his majesty,” He means His divinity, in which He is equal to the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, He shall come again with glory, that His body may be such as when He was transfigured on the mount. “His throne” is either certain of the more perfect of the Saints, of whom it is written, “For there are set…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
He shall come down with the Angels whom He shall call from heavenly places to hold judgment.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
“For all his Angels shall be with him” to bear witness to the things wherein they have administered to men’s salvation at His bidding.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, by Angels here He means men who shall judge with Christ; for Angels are messengers, and such we rightly understand all who have brought tidings of heavenly salvation to men.
Read the whole comment - Remigius of AuxerreCatena Aurea on Matthew
“And all nations shall be gathered before Him.” These words prove that the resurrection of men shall be real.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
This gathering shall be executed by the ministry of Angels, as it is said in the Psalm, “Gather to him his saints.” [Ps 50:5]
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, we need not understand this of a local gathering together, but that the nations shall be no more dispersed in divers and false dogmas concerning Him. For Christ’s divinity shall be manifested so that not even…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, He calls the one sheep and the other goats, to denote the unprofitableness of the one, and the fruitfulness of the other, for sheep are greatly productive in fleece, milk, and lambs.
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
Under the figure of a sheep in Scripture is signified simplicity and innocence. Beautifully then in this place are the elect denoted by sheep.
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
Also the goat is a salacious animal, and was the offering for sins in the Law; and He says not ‘she goats’ which can produce young, and “come up shorn from the washing. [Song of Solomon 4:2]
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Then He separates them in place.
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
For the Saints who have wrought right works, shall receive in recompense of their right works the King’s right hand, at which is rest and glory; but the wicked for their evil and sinister deeds have fallen to the…
Read the whole comment - Rabanus MaurusCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, they are called “blessed,” to whom an eternal blessing is due for their good deserts. He calls it the kingdom of His Father, ascribing the dominion of the kingdom to Him by whom Himself the King was begotten. For…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Observe that He says not ‘Receive,’ but “possess,” or “inherit,” as due to you from of old.
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
This “prepared for you from the foundation of the world,” is to be understood as of the foreknowledge of God, with whom things to come are as already done.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Besides that kingdom of which He will say in the end, “Inherit the kingdom prepared for you,” though in a very inferior manner, the present Church is also called His kingdom, in the which we are yet in conflict with…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
But one will say, I desire not to reign, it is enough for me that I be saved. Wherein they are deceived, first, because there is no salvation for those whose iniquity abounds; and, secondly, because if there be any…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
For what the Saints obtain the boon of this heavenly kingdom He shews when He adds, “I was an hungred, and ye gave me to eat.”
Read the whole comment - Remigius of AuxerreCatena Aurea on Matthew
And it is to be noted, that the Lord here enumerates six works of mercy which whoso shall study to accomplish shall be entitled to the kingdom prepared for the chosen from the foundation of the world.
Read the whole comment - Rabanus MaurusCatena Aurea on Matthew
Mystically, He who with the bread of the word and the drink of wisdom refreshes the soul hungering and thirsting after righteousness, or admits into the home of our mother the Church him who is wandering in heresy or…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
These, to whom as they stand on His right hand the Judge at His coming shall say, “I was an hungred &c.” are they who are judged on the side of the elect, and who reign; who wash away the stains of their life with…
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
It is from humility that they declare themselves unworthy of any praise for their good deeds, not that they are forgetful of what they have done. But He shews them His close sympathy with His own.
Read the whole comment - Rabanus MaurusCatena Aurea on Matthew
“Lord, when saw we thee &c.” This they say not because they distrust the Lord’s words, but they are in amaze at so great exaltation, and at the greatness of their own glory; or because the good which they have done…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
It were indeed free to us to understand that it is Christ in every poor man whom we feed when he is hungry, or give drink to when he is thirsty, and so of other things; but when He says, “In that ye have done it to…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
But if they are His brethren, why does He call them “the least?” Because they are lowly, poor, and outcast. By these He means not only the monks who have retired to the mountains, but every believer though he should…
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
As He had said to the righteous, “Come ye,” so He says to the wicked, “Depart ye,” for they who keep God’s commandment are near to the Word, and are called that they may be made more near; but they are far from it,…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
It is hence clear, that the same fire will be appropriated to the punishment of men and of daemons. If then it inflicts pain by corporeal touch, so as to produce bodily torment, how will there be in it any punishment…
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or it may be that fire is of such nature that it can burn invisible substances, being itself invisible, as the Apostle speaks, “The things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Observe how they had failed in mercifulness, not in one or two respects only, but in all; not only did they not feed Him when He was hungry, but they did not even visit Him when He was sick, which was easier. And…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
They to whom this is said are the wicked believers, who are judged and perish; others, being unbelievers, are not judged and perish; for there is no examination of the condition of such as appear before the face of…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Thus convicted by the words of the Judge, they make answer submissively, “Lord, when saw we thee &c.”
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
Mark how the righteous dwell upon each word, while the unrighteous answer summarily, and not going through the particular instances; for so it becomes the righteous out of humility to disclaim each individual…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
He is now treating of the last judgment, when Christ shall come from heaven to judge the quick and dead. This day of the Divine judgment we call the Last Day, that is, the end of time; for we cannot tell through how…
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Aphrahat
“Let us visit our Lord in the persons of the sick, that He may invite us to stand at His right hand.” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 33–35.
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Clement of Alexandria
“And when He says, “Let my lambs stand on my right,” He alludes to the simple children, as if they were sheep and lambs in nature, not men; and the lambs He counts worthy of preference, from the superior regard He has to that tenderness and simplicity of disposition in men which constitutes innocence.” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 33.
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Cross-references · 24
Cited together in Catechism §2443.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.27.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.27.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.27.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.27.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.27.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.27.
Cited together in On the Sermon on the Mount II.6.
Cited together in The City of God XXI.22.
Cited together in Sermons on New Testament Lessons Sermon 96.
Cited together in Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 1:3–6 (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in On the Sermon on the Mount II.6.
Cited together in Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 1:3–6 (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 1:3–6 (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 1:3–6 (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 1:3–6 (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Catechism §2443.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.27.
Cited together in The City of God XXI.22.
Cited together in Catechism §2443.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.27.
Cited together in Catechism §2443.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.27.
Cited together in On the Sermon on the Mount II.6.