The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats
Have you ever wondered what will happen when Jesus returns to earth? In one of His most powerful teachings, Jesus told the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats to help us understand what truly matters to God.
NIV, Ultimate Bible for Girls, Faithgirlz Edition, Hardcover
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I Prayed for You (I Pray for You)
$6.29 (as of June 9, 2025 16:27 GMT +01:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)This story takes us to a future scene where a king separates people just like a shepherd separates animals in his flock. Let's discover together the importance of this parable and who are described as a "sheep" or a "goat" according to God's word!
Quiz of the Day
Who was David's great friend?
What was Bathsheba doing when David first saw her?
What did Jesus say to those who accused the adulteress?
Which land did the Lord promise to Abram?
According to Peter, what "covers a multitude of sins"?
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- The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats
- What Can We Learn from The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats?
- Trivia Quiz about The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats
- Where in the Bible can we find this parable?
- What did Jesus say happens to sheep and goats at the end of the day?
- Which side did the King place the sheep on?
- Name one thing the sheep did for others that pleased the King.
- What did Jesus say was prepared for the righteous since the creation of the world?
The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats
Chapter 1: The King Takes His Throne
Jesus shared this parable while sitting on the Mount of Olives with His disciples. They had asked Him about the end of the age and His return, and Jesus wanted them to understand what would happen.
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne." Matthew 25:31
Jesus describes Himself as the "Son of Man" - a title He often used. In this future scene, He returns in glory with angels accompanying Him. This isn't the humble carpenter from Nazareth anymore, but a King taking His rightful place on a throne.
What happens next shows us that this isn't just any king - this is the King who judges all people!
Chapter 2: The Great Separation
Once seated on His throne, the King begins an important task:
"All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left." Matthew 25:32-33
In Jesus' time, shepherds commonly looked after mixed flocks of sheep and goats during the day. At night, they would separate them because sheep and goats have different needs.
The sheep - white, fluffy, and typically more docile - would be placed on the right side, the position of honor. The goats - often darker and more independent - would go to the left side.
Jesus uses this familiar farming image to show how He will divide all humanity into two groups. But what determines which side you're on? That's where the story gets really interesting!
Chapter 3: The Blessing of the Sheep
The King turns first to those on His right - the sheep:
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.'" Matthew 25:34
What wonderful words to hear! The sheep are called "blessed" and invited to receive an inheritance - the kingdom that God had prepared for them since the beginning of time.
But why are they blessed? The King explains:
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." Matthew 25:35-36
The sheep are surprised and ask when they did these things for the King. His answer is powerful:
"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40
The King reveals that when the sheep cared for people in need - feeding the hungry, welcoming strangers, visiting the sick and imprisoned - they were actually serving the King himself!
Chapter 4: The Judgment of the Goats
Now the King turns to those on His left - the goats:
"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.'" Matthew 25:41
These are difficult words to hear. The goats receive the opposite of what the sheep received - instead of blessing, they face a curse.
The King explains why:
"For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me." Matthew 25:42-43
Like the sheep, the goats are confused and ask when they failed to help the King. He gives the same principle:
"Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me." Matthew 25:45
The goats' failure wasn't that they actively hurt people - it was that they failed to show compassion when they saw others suffering. They ignored the needs right in front of them.
Chapter 5: The Final Outcome
Jesus concludes this sobering parable with these words:
"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." Matthew 25:46
The choices we make now have eternal consequences. The sheep - those who showed love and compassion - receive eternal life. The goats - those who ignored the needs of others - face eternal punishment.
Jesus didn't tell this story to frighten us but to help us understand what matters most to God - how we treat others, especially those who are vulnerable and in need.
What Can We Learn from The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats?
- How we treat others matters to God - When we help people in need, it's as if we're helping Jesus Himself.
- Actions speak louder than words - The sheep and goats weren't judged by what they said, but by what they did (or didn't do).
- God notices the small things - Giving food, clothing, or visiting someone might seem small, but God sees and remembers these acts of kindness.
- Faith should lead to action - True followers of Jesus demonstrate their faith through practical compassion toward others.
Trivia Quiz about The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats
Where in the Bible can we find this parable?
Matthew 25:31-46
What did Jesus say happens to sheep and goats at the end of the day?
They are separated by the shepherd
Which side did the King place the sheep on?
His right side
Name one thing the sheep did for others that pleased the King.
Fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, welcomed strangers, clothed the naked, cared for the sick, or visited prisoners
What did Jesus say was prepared for the righteous since the creation of the world?
The kingdom of heaven/eternal life
Looking for another powerful story Jesus told? Check out "The Parable of the Samaritan Woman" to discover how Jesus offers living water to quench our deepest thirst and breaks barriers to bring hope, grace, and truth to all people.
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