Matthew 25

The parable of the ten minas⁷⁰ recorded in Luke 19:11-27 is very similar to this parable of the talents. There are two main differences between these two parables. First, in Luke’s parable, there are ten servants instead of three, and all ten get the same gift—that is, ten minas. However, they get different rewards according to how faithfully they used their gifts. The servant who earned ten additional minas was very faithful. The servant who earned five additional minas was less faithful. The servant who hid his mina was unfaithful. Each of the servants received a reward according to his faithfulness. Therefore, the meaning of Luke’s parable is the same as that of Matthew’s parable: namely, that we all must use the gifts of God as diligently as we can, and that God will reward each of us according to our work and faithfulness (Matthew 16:27; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

The second difference in Luke’s parable of the minas is that the master went to a distant country to have himself appointed king (Luke 19:12). But his subjects sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king’ (Luke 19:14). Then at the end of the parable, the king had those enemies put to death (Luke 19:27).

These extra details about the king do not change the meaning of the parable. However, they do describe a historic occurrence. Archelaus, the son of King Herod (see Matthew 2:1,22) went to the Roman emperor after his father’s death to confirm his succession to his father’s throne. But a delegation of Jews went after him and appealed to the emperor asking that Archelaus not be made king over them. As a result, the emperor reduced Archelaus’ authority. Later, Archelaus persecuted the Jews who had opposed him.

Let us not be among those who oppose the true king, Christ, the King of kings. If we reject His gifts, if we refuse to serve Him, we shall bring upon ourselves eternal condemnation.

31 In this section Jesus gives us a description of what the final judgment will be like. He Himself will come in glory to judge (Mark 13:26; John 5:22). Christ will sit on his throne, which is the throne of judgment (Revelation 20:11).

32-33 Christ will judge all the nations. On that day every man of every nation will acknowledge that Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11). And Christ will separate the people one from another. Judgment is the act of separation. Christ will be like a shepherd who separates sheep and goats (Ezekiel 34:17). He will put the sheep, that is, the righteous (verse 37), on His right hand, and the goats, the unrighteous, on His left.

34 Then Christ will invite the righteous to receive their inheritance, prepared for them since the creation of the world. The righteous have been chosen from before the beginning of the world (see Ephesians 1:4). God knew from the beginning who would live righteously; that is, He knew who would repent and believe in Christ.

Man has the freedom to choose between right and wrong. Man has the freedom to go through the narrow gate or the wide gate (see Matthew 7:13-14). It is each man’s choice. If a man chooses to disobey God and walk through the wide gate, it is his own fault. He cannot blame God (see Romans 9:19-21).

Even though people are free to choose, yet God knows beforehand how each one will choose. God’s knowledge is without limit. He knows everything. The Lord knows those who are his (2 Timothy 2:19). Their names are written in the book of life (Revelation 3:5; 21:27). And He has prepared a kingdom for each one (see Luke 12:32).

There is no more important question anyone can ask than this: “On the day of judgment, will I be standing on the King’s right hand, or on His left?”

35-36 On what basis, by what means, will Christ separate men? For what reason will He call some to be on His right hand, and others to be on His left? The answer is this: Those who during their life on earth performed acts of love to Jesus will be placed on His right hand. They will be counted righteous (Hebrews 6:10).

37-39 But the righteous at first will not understand. They don’t remember that they had done anything for Jesus Himself. They don’t consider their simple acts of love to be worthy of special credit. They do not consider themselves worthy of honor. They are humble.

40 Then Jesus will answer: “What you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. All those acts of love and mercy you showed to others, you showed also to me.”

Jesus is a loving shepherd. He came to earth to seek the lost. He loves all men. He loves them like brothers. He can put Himself in man’s place. He feels our infirmities (Hebrews 4:15; 5:2). That is why when we show love to another person, it is as if we were showing love to Christ. Christ is not here on earth in the flesh. But we all have the chance to serve Him by serving others⁷¹ (see Proverbs 19:17; Matthew 10:42; Mark 9:41).

It is important to remember one thing here: It is not because the righteous have performed acts of love that they are saved. They are saved only through faith. But these acts of love are signs of true faith. When Christ sees us perform these acts of love, He knows our faith is true. First comes faith; then, second, comes the fruit of faith, which is works of love (see Ephesians 2:89; James 2:14-17 and comments). The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love (Galatians 5:6).

41-45 Then the King will send those on His left hand to eternal punishment, the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels (see Revelation 20:10). Those on His left hand are the ones who did not perform acts of love to Christ. They had thought they were serving Christ. Perhaps they went to church. Perhaps they gave tithes. They took pride in their “religious” works. But they did these works only to win praise for themselves. They did not truly love their neighbor. They did not realize that when they refused to help their neighbor in need, they were also, in fact, refusing to help Christ. If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen (1 John 4:20).

46 Then they will go away to eternal punishment. The last judgment is final. There is no appeal. God judges fairly, but His judgment remains forever. Let every man and woman think about the judgment of God. On that day, will God say to us: “Come … take your inheritance” (verse 34)? Or will He say: “Depart from me … into the eternal fire” (verse 41)?

There is another thing to think about also. For what kind of sins did those on the King’s left hand receive eternal punishment? Murder? Adultery? Theft? Big sins? No. Their sin was neglecting to do good. Many people wouldn’t call that a sin at all. Many people suppose that sin means only doing something bad. But Jesus teaches us here that sin is also omitting to do something good when we have opportunity. Such sins are called “sins of omission.” These are things we ought to have done but did not. Such was the sin of the ten virgins: they did not bring oil for their lamps (verse 3). Such was the sin of the wicked servant: he did not use his one talent (verse 27). It is mainly for sins like these that people will be punished on the day of judgment.

How many opportunities have we missed to do good this past month? This past week? This very day? How many times could we have fed someone, clothed someone, visited someone, cared for someone, but didn’t? Oh God, forgive us. We have not done what we ought to have done. We have not loved as we ought to have loved. Oh Father, have mercy upon us!

Now, is it not clear why we can never be saved by our righteous works? Only by the grace and mercy of God, and through faith in the Savior Jesus Christ, can we be saved from eternal punishment.