Matthew 25 Footnotes

25:31-46 This teaching of Jesus on the sheep and the goats appears only in Matthew. He was not teaching salvation by works in these verses. The compassion shown by the sheep shows their salvation (7:15-27). That both the sheep and the goats are surprised at their “qualifications” indicates that neither was working for salvation. Those who were punished for their failure to minister to others were so blinded by their preoccupation with themselves that they showed no compassion. The parable shows that mere profession of one’s belief that does not lead to love and concern for people is useless.