44“Then they will also answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn’t help you?’
45“Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you didn’t do it to one of the least of these, you didn’t do it to me.’46These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
44 “Then they will also answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn’t help you?’
45 “Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you didn’t do it to one of the least of these, you didn’t do it to me.’
46 These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
TYNDALETyndale New Testament (1534)
44 Then shall they also answere him sayinge: master when sawe we the an hungred or a thurst or herbourlesse or naked or sicke or in preson and did not ministre vnto the?
45 Then shall he answere the and saye: Verely I saye vnto you in as moche as ye did it not to one of the leest of these ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go into everlastinge payne: And the righteous into lyfe eternall.
Show all 3 translations
GNVGeneva Bible (1599)
44 Then shall they also answere him, saying, Lord, when sawe we thee an hungred, or a thirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sicke, or in prison, and did not minister vnto thee?
45 Then shall he answere them, and say, Verely I say vnto you, in as much as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall goe into euerlasting paine, and the righteous into life eternall.
Questions where the Bible appears to say two different things, with the passages on each side set together.
Is Salvation by faith alone?Paul stacks Romans 3:28, Romans 4:13, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 3:11-12, and Ephesians 2:8-9 to insist humans are justified by faith apart from works of the la…
Has there ever been a righteous person?Job 15:14, Isaiah 64:6, and Romans 3:10 deny anyone is righteous — all our righteousness is as filthy rags, there is none righteous, no, not one.
How long does God's anger last?The Bible gives at least four mutually incompatible answers about the duration of God's anger.
Show all 6
Is death final?The Hebrew Bible's wisdom literature and older narrative strata treat death as terminal — the dead go to Sheol, lose consciousness, and do not return.
Does hell exist?The Bible offers four mutually incompatible afterlife schemes.
Daniel 12:2(v46)Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
John 5:29(v46)and will come out; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.
Proverbs 21:13(v45)Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
John 3:36(v46)One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
Revelation 21:8(v46)But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in…
Show all 48 cross-references
Revelation 20:15(v46)If anyone was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.
Proverbs 17:5(v45)Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
Proverbs 14:31(v45)He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him.
Matthew 25:40(v45)“The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Romans 6:23(v46)For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Thessalonians 1:9(v46)who will pay the penalty: eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
Acts 9:5(v45)He said, “Who are you, Lord?” The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
Romans 5:21(v46)that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
John 3:15-16(v46)that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that…
Revelation 20:10(v46)The devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet are also. They will be…
John 10:27-28(v46)My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch…
1 John 3:12-20(v45)unlike Cain, who was of the evil one, and killed his brother. Why did he kill him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s…
Matthew 25:41(v46)Then he will say also to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his…
Mark 9:48-49(v46)‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’ For everyone will be salted with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned…
1 John 5:1-3(v45)Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God. Whoever loves the Father also loves the child who is born of him. By this…
Matthew 7:22(v44)Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty…
Mark 9:43-45(v46)If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having your two hands to go…
Luke 10:29(v44)But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?”
Acts 24:15(v46)having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
Galatians 6:8(v46)For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
1 John 2:25(v46)This is the promise which he promised us, the eternal life.
Psalms 105:15(v45)“Don’t touch my anointed ones! Do my prophets no harm!”
Jeremiah 2:35(v44)“Yet you said, ‘I am innocent. Surely his anger has turned away from me.’ “Behold, I will judge you, because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’
Malachi 1:6(v44)“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, then where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is the respect…
Malachi 2:17(v44)You have wearied Yahweh with your words. Yet you say, ‘How have we wearied him?’ In that you say, ‘Everyone who does evil is good in…
Malachi 3:13(v44)“Your words have been stout against me,” says Yahweh. “Yet you say, ‘What have we spoken against you?’
Matthew 19:29(v46)Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, will…
Matthew 25:24-27(v44)“He also who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you didn’t sow, and…
Luke 16:26(v46)Besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that those who want to pass from here to you are not able, and that no…
John 17:2(v46)even as you gave him authority over all flesh, so he will give eternal life to all whom you have given him.
Romans 2:7-16(v46)to those who by perseverance in well-doing seek for glory, honor, and incorruptibility, eternal life; but to those who are self-seeking,…
1 John 5:11-12(v46)The testimony is this, that God gave to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has the life. He who doesn’t have…
Revelation 14:10-11(v46)he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is prepared unmixed in the cup of his anger. He will be tormented with fire and…
Genesis 12:3(v45)I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who treats you with contempt. All the families of the earth will be blessed through…
Numbers 24:9(v45)He couched, he lay down as a lion, as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? Everyone who blesses you is blessed. Everyone who curses you is…
1 Samuel 15:13-15(v44)Samuel came to Saul; and Saul said to him, “You are blessed by Yahweh! I have performed the commandment of Yahweh.” Samuel said, “Then what…
1 Samuel 15:20-21(v44)Saul said to Samuel, “But I have obeyed Yahweh’s voice, and have gone the way which Yahweh sent me, and have brought Agag the king of…
Psalms 16:10-11(v46)For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, neither will you allow your holy one to see corruption. You will show me the path of life. In your…
Jeremiah 2:23(v44)“How can you say, ‘I am not defiled. I have not gone after the Baals’? See your way in the valley. Know what you have done. You are a swift…
Zechariah 2:8(v45)For Yahweh of Armies says: ‘For honor he has sent me to the nations which plundered you; for he who touches you touches the apple of his…
Matthew 13:43(v46)Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
John 15:18-19(v45)If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But…
Jude 1:21(v46)Keep yourselves in God’s love, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (18 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
John Trapp1656 · Public DomainOn vv44–4644 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord,…
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Ver. 44. Lord, when saw we thee, &c.] They were sand blind, and could not see Christ in poor Christians, {μυωπαζοντες, 2Pe 1:9} whom they should have looked upon as the only earthly angels, the dearly beloved of Christ’s soul, Jer 12:7; the house of his glory, Isa 60:7; an ornament of God, Eze 7:20; a royal diadem in the hand of Jehovah, Isa 62:3.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole1685 · Public DomainOn v46So then it seems they shall rise as well…
So then it seems they shall rise as well as the other; though they live in the lands of the Grand Seignior, or the Great Mogul, they shall not (as some filthy dreamers have thought) have such a quiet sleep in the graves, but that the sound of the last trump shall awaken them. Nor are they out of the jurisdiction of him that shall be the Judge both of the quick and the dead. Nor shall they escape a judgment without the law, because they have sinned without the law: For the invisible things of God from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead, Rom 1:20. They shall perish (as they have sinned) without the law, Rom 2:12. They shall go into everlasting punishment, not a punishment for a time, as Origen thought.
But the righteous, those who shall be so adjudged, being made so in this life by the imputed righteousness of Christ, and accepted as such for their holy and sincere conversation, though in many things imperfect, shall go
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into life eternal; which doth not signify a mere eternal existence, (for so the worst of men shall live eternally, or else they could not be capable of eternal punishment), but a happy and blessed estate, which shall never have an end: and thus eternal life always signifieth in Scripture, being opposed to eternal death, everlasting fire, the worm that never dieth, &c. Thus endeth Christ’s kingdom of grace; or rather, thus shall begin his kingdom of glory; all his enemies being put under his feet, and none remaining but this glorious King, and those who shall be his true subjects. Of which kingdom shall be no end.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt1703 · Public DomainOn v46Observe here, 1. That though the righteous are first…
Observe here, 1. That though the righteous are first judged, yet the sentence is first executed on the wicked. They shall go into everlasting punishment.
Observe, 2. That men’s states and conditions in another world will be different, as their ways and doings have been in this world.
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3. That everlasting life shall be the portion of the godly, and everlasting punishment the portion of the wicked.
God grant that the horrors of eternal darkness,and the dismal thoughts of a miserable eternity, may effectually discourage every one of us from a wicked and impenitent course of life! For who can dwell with devouring fire? Who can dwell with everlasting burnings?
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill1763 · Public DomainOn vv44–45Then shall he answer them,.... With a stern countenance,…
Then shall he answer them,.... With a stern countenance, in great resentment, as one highly offended, and with the authority of a judge:
saying, verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not unto me: since they had given no food not to the least of his brethren and friends that stood at his right hand, no not to anyone of them; not so much as the least bit of bread to them when hungry, nor a drop of water to them when thirsty; had not taken them into their houses, nor provided the meanest lodging for them, when they were exposed in the streets to the inclemency of the weather, and insults of men; nor gave them the least rag to cover them, when they were almost naked, and ready to perish; nor did they minister to their wants, either physical, or food, or give attendance, when on sick beds, and in prison houses; therefore he reckoned this neglect of them, and want of compassion to them, all one as if he himself in person had been so treated: and if then judgment will righteously proceed against men for sins of omission, much more for sins of commission; and if such will be dealt with in this manner, who have taken no notice, and shown no respect to the members of Christ; what will the end be of those, who are injurious to them, their persons, and properties, and persecute and kill them?
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley1765 · Public DomainOn vv44, 46Then will they answer - So the endeavour to…
Then will they answer - So the endeavour to justify themselves, will remain with the wicked even to that day!
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke1810 · Public DomainOn vv44, 46Verse 44. Lord, when saw we thee an hungered,…
Verse 44. Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, c.] It is want of faith which in general produces hard-heartedness to the poor. The man who only sees with eyes of flesh is never likely to discover Christ in the person of a man destitute of the necessaries of life. Some pretend not to know the distressed because they have no desire to relieve them; but we find that this ignorance will not avail them at the bar of God.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson1811 · Public DomainOn v44Mat 25:44-46. Then shall they answer, Lord, when saw…
Mat 25:44-46. Then shall they answer, Lord, when saw we thee a hungered, &c. — So their endeavour to justify themselves will remain with the wicked even to that day! Perhaps, however, it may not be intended here to signify that the wicked shall make this answer in words: it is probably, rather, to be considered as the language of their hearts, which Christ perceiving, shall reply to as in the next verse. Multitudes will, no doubt, remember that they had often heard what reply will be made to such a plea: God grant that none who read it here may be in the number of those to whom it will be made! These shall go away into everlasting punishment — So the word κολασιν properly signifies, and not destruction, or annihilation, as some would understand it; and the righteous into life eternal — Either, therefore, the punishment is strictly eternal, or the reward is not; the very same expression in the original being applied to the former as to the latter. It appears, that the Judge will speak first to the righteous in the audience of the wicked; and then to the wicked, who shall go away into everlasting fire in the sight of the righteous. Thus the damned shall have no view of the everlasting life, but the righteous will see the punishment of the ungodly. It is not only particularly observable here, 1st, that the punishment lasts as long as the reward: but, 2d, that this punishment is so far from ceasing at the end of the world, that it does not begin till then. To conclude, the issue of the judgment, as it is represented in this paragraph, is awful beyond description. If the meaning of this last short sentence were fully understood and duly considered, what an impression would it make upon the minds of men! Everlasting punishment! Eternal life! What is there that is not comprehended in these words? And how miserable are they who dare to venture their souls on the supposition that the important word αιωνιος, which is the same in both places, signifies a limited duration in either!
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes1834 · Public DomainOn vv45–46Inasmuch as ye did it not ... - By…
Inasmuch as ye did it not ... - By not doing good to the “followers” of Christ, they showed that they had no real love to Him. By not doing good to the poor and needy, to the stranger and the prisoner, they showed that they had not his spirit, and were not like him, and were unfit for his kingdom. Let it be observed here that the public ground of their condemnation is the neglect of duty, or because “they did it not.” We are not to suppose that they will not also be condemned for their open and positive sins. See Rom 2:9; Eph 5:5; Col 3:5-6; 1Co 6:9-10; Rev 21:8; Psa 9:17. But their neglect of doing good to him and his people may be the “public” reason of condemning them:
Because he wished to give pre-eminence to those virtues, to excite his followers to do them. People should be punished for neglect as well as for positive sin. Sin is a violation of the law, or refusing to do what God commands. Nothing better shows the true state of the heart than the proper performance of those duties, and the true character can be as well tested by neglecting them as by open crimes.
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If it is asked how the pagan who never heard of the name of Christ can be justly condemned in this manner, it may be answered:
1.That Christ acknowledges all the poor, and needy, and strangers of every land, as his brethren. See Mat 25:40.
2.That by neglecting the duties of charity they show that they have not his spirit are not like him.
3.That these duties are clearly made known by conscience and by the light of nature, as well as by revelation, and people may therefore be condemned for the neglect of them.
4.That they are not condemned for not believing in Christ, of whom they have not heard, but for a wrong spirit, neglect of duty, open crime; for being unlike Christ, and therefore unfit for heaven.
One of the least of these - These on my right hand. My brethren. Those who are saved.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary1859 · Public DomainOn v46Everlasting punishment. The rewards and torments of a future…
Everlasting punishment. The rewards and torments of a future life are declared by Jesus Christ, who is truth itself, to be eternal. Let no one be found to argue hence against the goodness and mercy of God, for punishing sins committed in time with punishments that are eternal. For 1. according to human laws, we see forgery and other crimes punished by death, which is in some measure an eternal exclusion from society. 2. The will of the sinner is such, that he would sin eternally continuing if he could; it is an eternal God, a God of infinite majesty, who is offended. He essentially hates sin; and as, in hell there is no redemption, the sin eternally continuing, the hatred God bears to sin must eternally continue, and with it eternal punishment. The doctrine of those who pretend, with Origen, to question the eternity of the duration of hell’s torments; who can say with him, video infernum quasi senescentum, must encourage vice and embolden the sinner; for if the conviction of eternal torments is not capable to restrain his malice, the doctrine of temporal punishment would be a much lest restraint. The present world would not be habitable, were there nothing for the wicked to apprehend after this life. There are many questions often proposed with regard to the situation and nature of hell-fire, &c. &c. &c. but in all these and similar objects of curiosity, it is best to adhere to the sage reflection of St. Augustine: "When we dispute upon a point very obscure, without any clear and certain documents from the holy Scripture, the presumption of man should stop short, and lean not more to one than the other side." (lib. ii. de pecc. meritis et remiss. chap. xxxvi. ep. 190. ad Optat. chap. v. No. 16.) --- On a recapitulation of this long and most interesting discourse, we may observe, that in the first place, it treats of those wars and persecutions which are to happen in the latter ages of the world; that it next proceeds to describe the heresies and schisms among Christians; the general propagation of the gospel; the great apostacy at the time of the Antichrist; and lastly, the grand and closing scene of the day of judgment. Thus these grand and momentous events are intimately connected with each other, and all materially regard the Church of Christ.
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George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Daniel D. Whedon1874 · Public DomainOn vv44–4644. They also answer him — Such is the…
44. They also answer him — Such is the answer that wicked men’s hearts are now prepared to give him. Jesus puts it into their mouths here to show of how little worth it is in the trying time. What wicked man now believes he is deserving everlasting fire? What great hurt has he done? How cruel it is, and impossible to believe, that the everlasting company of the devil and his angels is a fit destiny for him? Christ shows in the answer what is his view of the solemn matter.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1878 · Public DomainOn vv45–4645. Inasmuch as ye did it not] Men will…
45. Inasmuch as ye did it not] Men will be judged not only for evil done, but for good left undone.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers1878 · Public DomainOn vv44, 46(44) When saw we thee . . .?—There is,…
(44) When saw we thee . . .?—There is, as before, an unconsciousness of the greatness of the things that had been done for good or evil. Men thought that they were only neglecting their fellow men, and were, it may be, thinking that they had wronged no man. It is significant that the sins here are, all of them, sins of omission. As in the case of the parable of the Talents, the opportunities (here those that are common to all men, as there those that attached to some office or ministry in the Church) have simply not been used.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary1880 · Public DomainOn vv44–46Then shall they also answer him. Not in words,…
Then shall they also answer him. Not in words, for at that time objection and expostulation would not be allowed, but in thought, "standing at the judgment seat, yet ceasing not to sin." There is a certain self-confidence in their reply, very different from the humility and misgiving of the righteous. When saw we thee, etc.? They put all these neglected duties in a careless summary. They had never thought of Christ in the matter: were they to be condemned for this? Some had never even heard of Christ, never been taught faith in him: was this their fault? This is the line which their self-justification took; there was nothing of love, nothing of humility.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator1887 · Public DomainOn v46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment.
Mat_25:46
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment.
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The final state of the saints in heaven
There is a state of happiness which the spirits of just men enter into immediately after their separation from the body, But after the resurrection and the general judgment, then the righteous shall go into life eternal.
I. The state of happiness itself. That good men shall enjoy a state of happiness in the world to come is evident.
1. From the light of nature and reason. General notion among the wiser heathens. Universal desire in mankind. The unequal distribution of things in the present state.
2. From Divine revelation.
II. The eternity of this happiness. Testimony of Scripture. (Outlines of Sermons.)
I. The parties sentenced.
II. The penalties awarded.
1. Positive infliction.
2. Incited passions.
3. Bitter reflection.
4. Painful associations.
5. Mutual recognition.
III. The perpetuity determined.
1. Necessary.
2. Just.
3. Certain. (J. Blackburn.)
For ever
Your opinion about for ever can have no manner of effect upon the reality of that for ever. A party of boatmen on the Niagara river may have a very strong opinion when they are caught by the rapids, that it is very pleasant rowing; but neither their shouts nor their merriment will alter the fact: that the worlds cataract is close at hand. You have a strong opinion that hell-fire is a delusion; that they are superstitious, and cruel, and ignorant who ask you to pause, and awake, and prepare for this coming, this continued retribution; but your opinions will not have the slightest, the remotest, the minutest influence on the tremendous fact. (Reynolds.)
Heaven and hell
I. The everlasting state of the righteous. It will consist of:
(1) Perfect knowledge;
(2)Perfect love;
(3) Perfect purity;
(4) Perfect felicity.
II. The eternal state of the wicked. Includes:
1. The privation of infinite good.
(1) They have lost heaven and all its blessedness at once.
(2) They are strangers to the endearments and consolations of friendship.
(3) Nor is there any, the smallest, rest from pain.
2. The infliction of infinite evil. Tormentors in hell:
(1) Conscience;
(2) Satan;
(3) Fellow-damned;
(4)The sufferer will be his own tormentor;
(5) Memory;
(6) Anticipation. (T. Raffles.)
The nature of true righteousness
The following four particulars are necessary to entitle us to the denomination and character of righteous men.
I. The establishment within us of good principles, and acting from them.
II. The superior efficacy of such principles within us to the efficacy of all other principles.
III. The manifestation of their superiority by avoiding all habitual guilt, and practicing all known duties; and
IV. A constant endeavour to grow better. (Richard Price.)
Eternal life
I. Eternal life, what it is.
1. It is life in the most perfect existence.
2. It is life in its fullest enjoyment. The intellect in its highest flights, the will in its most entire subjugation, and the affections, shall be fully enjoyed there.
3. It is life in its eternal duration.
II. The persons who are to enjoy eternal life-the righteous. They have been stripped of their own righteousness, and are clad in the righteousness of Christ. (J. H. Evans, M. A.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson1891 · Public DomainOn vv44–4644. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord,…
44. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee? etc. These, too, inquire if this is possible. If they had seen him in his splendor they certainly would have denied him nothing.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
C. I. Scofield1917 · Public DomainOn v46into everlasting
into everlasting
Judgments (the seven). Luk 14:14; 2Sa 7:14; Rev 20:12. "Eternal" and "everlasting" are the same word.
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0On v44Connecting Statement:
Connecting Statement:
Jesus finishes telling his disciples how he will judge people when he returns at the end time.
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General Information:
This is the end of the part of the story that began in Matthew 23:1, where Jesus teaches about salvation and the final judgment.
they will also answer
"those on his left will also answer"
for one of the least of these
"for any of the least important ones of my people"
you did not do for me
"I consider that you did not do it for me" or "I was really the one whom you did not help"
These will go away into eternal punishment
"The King will send these to a place where they will receive punishment that never ends"
but the righteous into eternal life
The understood information can be made clear. AT: "but the King will send the righteous to the place where they will live forever with God" (See: Ellipsis)
the righteous
This nominative adjective can be stated as an adjective. AT: "the righteous people" (See: Nominal Adjectives)
Tyndale Open Study Notes2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0On v4625:46 The Greek term translated eternal can mean either…
25:46 The Greek term translated eternal can mean either “lasting forever” or “lasting for an age,” in this case “the age to come” (13:39-40, 49; 24:3; John 17:3; 2 Thes 1:9; Phlm 1:15; 1 Jn 5:11, 13). Some hold out hope that the punishment of the damned will, after “an age,” be ended by annihilation or forgiveness. The parallel between eternal life and eternal punishment suggests strongly that it means “lasting forever,” since eternal life does not end (see also Luke 16:19-31; Heb 6:2; Rev 20:10).
GEBible — Godless Engineer's Bible App
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv44–46 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord,…
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Ver. 44. Lord, when saw we thee, &c.] They were sand blind, and could not see Christ in poor Christians, {μυωπαζοντες, 2Pe 1:9} whom they should have looked upon as the only earthly angels, the dearly beloved of Christ’s soul, Jer 12:7; the house of his glory, Isa 60:7; an ornament of God, Eze 7:20; a royal diadem in the hand of Jehovah, Isa 62:3.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On v46 So then it seems they shall rise as well…
So then it seems they shall rise as well as the other; though they live in the lands of the Grand Seignior, or the Great Mogul, they shall not (as some filthy dreamers have thought) have such a quiet sleep in the graves, but that the sound of the last trump shall awaken them. Nor are they out of the jurisdiction of him that shall be the Judge both of the quick and the dead. Nor shall they escape a judgment without the law, because they have sinned without the law: For the invisible things of God from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead, Rom 1:20. They shall perish (as they have sinned) without the law, Rom 2:12. They shall go into everlasting punishment, not a punishment for a time, as Origen thought.
But the righteous, those who shall be so adjudged, being made so in this life by the imputed righteousness of Christ, and accepted as such for their holy and sincere conversation, though in many things imperfect, shall go
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into life eternal; which doth not signify a mere eternal existence, (for so the worst of men shall live eternally, or else they could not be capable of eternal punishment), but a happy and blessed estate, which shall never have an end: and thus eternal life always signifieth in Scripture, being opposed to eternal death, everlasting fire, the worm that never dieth, &c. Thus endeth Christ’s kingdom of grace; or rather, thus shall begin his kingdom of glory; all his enemies being put under his feet, and none remaining but this glorious King, and those who shall be his true subjects. Of which kingdom shall be no end.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On v46 Observe here, 1. That though the righteous are first…
Observe here, 1. That though the righteous are first judged, yet the sentence is first executed on the wicked. They shall go into everlasting punishment.
Observe, 2. That men’s states and conditions in another world will be different, as their ways and doings have been in this world.
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3. That everlasting life shall be the portion of the godly, and everlasting punishment the portion of the wicked.
God grant that the horrors of eternal darkness,and the dismal thoughts of a miserable eternity, may effectually discourage every one of us from a wicked and impenitent course of life! For who can dwell with devouring fire? Who can dwell with everlasting burnings?
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv44–45 Then shall he answer them,.... With a stern countenance,…
Then shall he answer them,.... With a stern countenance, in great resentment, as one highly offended, and with the authority of a judge:
saying, verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not unto me: since they had given no food not to the least of his brethren and friends that stood at his right hand, no not to anyone of them; not so much as the least bit of bread to them when hungry, nor a drop of water to them when thirsty; had not taken them into their houses, nor provided the meanest lodging for them, when they were exposed in the streets to the inclemency of the weather, and insults of men; nor gave them the least rag to cover them, when they were almost naked, and ready to perish; nor did they minister to their wants, either physical, or food, or give attendance, when on sick beds, and in prison houses; therefore he reckoned this neglect of them, and want of compassion to them, all one as if he himself in person had been so treated: and if then judgment will righteously proceed against men for sins of omission, much more for sins of commission; and if such will be dealt with in this manner, who have taken no notice, and shown no respect to the members of Christ; what will the end be of those, who are injurious to them, their persons, and properties, and persecute and kill them?
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv44, 46 Then will they answer - So the endeavour to…
Then will they answer - So the endeavour to justify themselves, will remain with the wicked even to that day!
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv44, 46 Verse 44. Lord, when saw we thee an hungered,…
Verse 44. Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, c.] It is want of faith which in general produces hard-heartedness to the poor. The man who only sees with eyes of flesh is never likely to discover Christ in the person of a man destitute of the necessaries of life. Some pretend not to know the distressed because they have no desire to relieve them; but we find that this ignorance will not avail them at the bar of God.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v44 Mat 25:44-46. Then shall they answer, Lord, when saw…
Mat 25:44-46. Then shall they answer, Lord, when saw we thee a hungered, &c. — So their endeavour to justify themselves will remain with the wicked even to that day! Perhaps, however, it may not be intended here to signify that the wicked shall make this answer in words: it is probably, rather, to be considered as the language of their hearts, which Christ perceiving, shall reply to as in the next verse. Multitudes will, no doubt, remember that they had often heard what reply will be made to such a plea: God grant that none who read it here may be in the number of those to whom it will be made! These shall go away into everlasting punishment — So the word κολασιν properly signifies, and not destruction, or annihilation, as some would understand it; and the righteous into life eternal — Either, therefore, the punishment is strictly eternal, or the reward is not; the very same expression in the original being applied to the former as to the latter. It appears, that the Judge will speak first to the righteous in the audience of the wicked; and then to the wicked, who shall go away into everlasting fire in the sight of the righteous. Thus the damned shall have no view of the everlasting life, but the righteous will see the punishment of the ungodly. It is not only particularly observable here, 1st, that the punishment lasts as long as the reward: but, 2d, that this punishment is so far from ceasing at the end of the world, that it does not begin till then. To conclude, the issue of the judgment, as it is represented in this paragraph, is awful beyond description. If the meaning of this last short sentence were fully understood and duly considered, what an impression would it make upon the minds of men! Everlasting punishment! Eternal life! What is there that is not comprehended in these words? And how miserable are they who dare to venture their souls on the supposition that the important word αιωνιος, which is the same in both places, signifies a limited duration in either!
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv45–46 Inasmuch as ye did it not ... - By…
Inasmuch as ye did it not ... - By not doing good to the “followers” of Christ, they showed that they had no real love to Him. By not doing good to the poor and needy, to the stranger and the prisoner, they showed that they had not his spirit, and were not like him, and were unfit for his kingdom. Let it be observed here that the public ground of their condemnation is the neglect of duty, or because “they did it not.” We are not to suppose that they will not also be condemned for their open and positive sins. See Rom 2:9; Eph 5:5; Col 3:5-6; 1Co 6:9-10; Rev 21:8; Psa 9:17. But their neglect of doing good to him and his people may be the “public” reason of condemning them:
Because he wished to give pre-eminence to those virtues, to excite his followers to do them. People should be punished for neglect as well as for positive sin. Sin is a violation of the law, or refusing to do what God commands. Nothing better shows the true state of the heart than the proper performance of those duties, and the true character can be as well tested by neglecting them as by open crimes.
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If it is asked how the pagan who never heard of the name of Christ can be justly condemned in this manner, it may be answered:
1.That Christ acknowledges all the poor, and needy, and strangers of every land, as his brethren. See Mat 25:40.
2.That by neglecting the duties of charity they show that they have not his spirit are not like him.
3.That these duties are clearly made known by conscience and by the light of nature, as well as by revelation, and people may therefore be condemned for the neglect of them.
4.That they are not condemned for not believing in Christ, of whom they have not heard, but for a wrong spirit, neglect of duty, open crime; for being unlike Christ, and therefore unfit for heaven.
One of the least of these - These on my right hand. My brethren. Those who are saved.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On v46 Everlasting punishment. The rewards and torments of a future…
Everlasting punishment. The rewards and torments of a future life are declared by Jesus Christ, who is truth itself, to be eternal. Let no one be found to argue hence against the goodness and mercy of God, for punishing sins committed in time with punishments that are eternal. For 1. according to human laws, we see forgery and other crimes punished by death, which is in some measure an eternal exclusion from society. 2. The will of the sinner is such, that he would sin eternally continuing if he could; it is an eternal God, a God of infinite majesty, who is offended. He essentially hates sin; and as, in hell there is no redemption, the sin eternally continuing, the hatred God bears to sin must eternally continue, and with it eternal punishment. The doctrine of those who pretend, with Origen, to question the eternity of the duration of hell’s torments; who can say with him, video infernum quasi senescentum, must encourage vice and embolden the sinner; for if the conviction of eternal torments is not capable to restrain his malice, the doctrine of temporal punishment would be a much lest restraint. The present world would not be habitable, were there nothing for the wicked to apprehend after this life. There are many questions often proposed with regard to the situation and nature of hell-fire, &c. &c. &c. but in all these and similar objects of curiosity, it is best to adhere to the sage reflection of St. Augustine: "When we dispute upon a point very obscure, without any clear and certain documents from the holy Scripture, the presumption of man should stop short, and lean not more to one than the other side." (lib. ii. de pecc. meritis et remiss. chap. xxxvi. ep. 190. ad Optat. chap. v. No. 16.) --- On a recapitulation of this long and most interesting discourse, we may observe, that in the first place, it treats of those wars and persecutions which are to happen in the latter ages of the world; that it next proceeds to describe the heresies and schisms among Christians; the general propagation of the gospel; the great apostacy at the time of the Antichrist; and lastly, the grand and closing scene of the day of judgment. Thus these grand and momentous events are intimately connected with each other, and all materially regard the Church of Christ.
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George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv44–46 44. They also answer him — Such is the…
44. They also answer him — Such is the answer that wicked men’s hearts are now prepared to give him. Jesus puts it into their mouths here to show of how little worth it is in the trying time. What wicked man now believes he is deserving everlasting fire? What great hurt has he done? How cruel it is, and impossible to believe, that the everlasting company of the devil and his angels is a fit destiny for him? Christ shows in the answer what is his view of the solemn matter.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv45–46 45. Inasmuch as ye did it not] Men will…
45. Inasmuch as ye did it not] Men will be judged not only for evil done, but for good left undone.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv44, 46 (44) When saw we thee . . .?—There is,…
(44) When saw we thee . . .?—There is, as before, an unconsciousness of the greatness of the things that had been done for good or evil. Men thought that they were only neglecting their fellow men, and were, it may be, thinking that they had wronged no man. It is significant that the sins here are, all of them, sins of omission. As in the case of the parable of the Talents, the opportunities (here those that are common to all men, as there those that attached to some office or ministry in the Church) have simply not been used.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv44–46 Then shall they also answer him. Not in words,…
Then shall they also answer him. Not in words, for at that time objection and expostulation would not be allowed, but in thought, "standing at the judgment seat, yet ceasing not to sin." There is a certain self-confidence in their reply, very different from the humility and misgiving of the righteous. When saw we thee, etc.? They put all these neglected duties in a careless summary. They had never thought of Christ in the matter: were they to be condemned for this? Some had never even heard of Christ, never been taught faith in him: was this their fault? This is the line which their self-justification took; there was nothing of love, nothing of humility.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment.
Mat_25:46
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment.
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The final state of the saints in heaven
There is a state of happiness which the spirits of just men enter into immediately after their separation from the body, But after the resurrection and the general judgment, then the righteous shall go into life eternal.
I. The state of happiness itself. That good men shall enjoy a state of happiness in the world to come is evident.
1. From the light of nature and reason. General notion among the wiser heathens. Universal desire in mankind. The unequal distribution of things in the present state.
2. From Divine revelation.
II. The eternity of this happiness. Testimony of Scripture. (Outlines of Sermons.)
I. The parties sentenced.
II. The penalties awarded.
1. Positive infliction.
2. Incited passions.
3. Bitter reflection.
4. Painful associations.
5. Mutual recognition.
III. The perpetuity determined.
1. Necessary.
2. Just.
3. Certain. (J. Blackburn.)
For ever
Your opinion about for ever can have no manner of effect upon the reality of that for ever. A party of boatmen on the Niagara river may have a very strong opinion when they are caught by the rapids, that it is very pleasant rowing; but neither their shouts nor their merriment will alter the fact: that the worlds cataract is close at hand. You have a strong opinion that hell-fire is a delusion; that they are superstitious, and cruel, and ignorant who ask you to pause, and awake, and prepare for this coming, this continued retribution; but your opinions will not have the slightest, the remotest, the minutest influence on the tremendous fact. (Reynolds.)
Heaven and hell
I. The everlasting state of the righteous. It will consist of:
(1) Perfect knowledge;
(2)Perfect love;
(3) Perfect purity;
(4) Perfect felicity.
II. The eternal state of the wicked. Includes:
1. The privation of infinite good.
(1) They have lost heaven and all its blessedness at once.
(2) They are strangers to the endearments and consolations of friendship.
(3) Nor is there any, the smallest, rest from pain.
2. The infliction of infinite evil. Tormentors in hell:
(1) Conscience;
(2) Satan;
(3) Fellow-damned;
(4)The sufferer will be his own tormentor;
(5) Memory;
(6) Anticipation. (T. Raffles.)
The nature of true righteousness
The following four particulars are necessary to entitle us to the denomination and character of righteous men.
I. The establishment within us of good principles, and acting from them.
II. The superior efficacy of such principles within us to the efficacy of all other principles.
III. The manifestation of their superiority by avoiding all habitual guilt, and practicing all known duties; and
IV. A constant endeavour to grow better. (Richard Price.)
Eternal life
I. Eternal life, what it is.
1. It is life in the most perfect existence.
2. It is life in its fullest enjoyment. The intellect in its highest flights, the will in its most entire subjugation, and the affections, shall be fully enjoyed there.
3. It is life in its eternal duration.
II. The persons who are to enjoy eternal life-the righteous. They have been stripped of their own righteousness, and are clad in the righteousness of Christ. (J. H. Evans, M. A.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv44–46 44. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord,…
44. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee? etc. These, too, inquire if this is possible. If they had seen him in his splendor they certainly would have denied him nothing.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v46 into everlasting
into everlasting
Judgments (the seven). Luk 14:14; 2Sa 7:14; Rev 20:12. "Eternal" and "everlasting" are the same word.
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v44 Connecting Statement:
Connecting Statement:
Jesus finishes telling his disciples how he will judge people when he returns at the end time.
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General Information:
This is the end of the part of the story that began in Matthew 23:1, where Jesus teaches about salvation and the final judgment.
they will also answer
"those on his left will also answer"
for one of the least of these
"for any of the least important ones of my people"
you did not do for me
"I consider that you did not do it for me" or "I was really the one whom you did not help"
These will go away into eternal punishment
"The King will send these to a place where they will receive punishment that never ends"
but the righteous into eternal life
The understood information can be made clear. AT: "but the King will send the righteous to the place where they will live forever with God" (See: Ellipsis)
the righteous
This nominative adjective can be stated as an adjective. AT: "the righteous people" (See: Nominal Adjectives)
translationWords
lord
servant
amen
eternity
punish
righteous
life
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v46 25:46 The Greek term translated eternal can mean either…
25:46 The Greek term translated eternal can mean either “lasting forever” or “lasting for an age,” in this case “the age to come” (13:39-40, 49; 24:3; John 17:3; 2 Thes 1:9; Phlm 1:15; 1 Jn 5:11, 13). Some hold out hope that the punishment of the damned will, after “an age,” be ended by annihilation or forgiveness. The parallel between eternal life and eternal punishment suggests strongly that it means “lasting forever,” since eternal life does not end (see also Luke 16:19-31; Heb 6:2; Rev 20:10).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.