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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Matthew 25:32 - 25:32
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32. πάντα τὰ ἔθνη. Either (1) all the nations of the world, including the Jews; or (2) all the Gentiles. The almost invariable use of τὰ ἔθνη to signify the Gentiles; the unconsciousness of service to Christ shewn by just and unjust alike; the simplicity of the standard proposed by the Judge, favour the second interpretation. On the other hand the special warning to the Apostles, and to the Jewish race, in the previous parts of the discourse render it probable that Jews and Christians are not excluded from this picture of the judgment. The unconsciousness of the judged may be referred not to ignorance of Christ, but to unconsciousness that in relieving the distressed they were actually relieving Christ. The simplicity of the standard may be intended to include what is called ‘natural’ religion, as well as revealed religion. The nations are judged by a standard of justice which all recognise. (Read Rom 1:18-20; Rom 2:9-16.)
ὥσπερ ὁ ποιμὴν κ.τ.λ. Cp. Eze 34:17, ‘And as for you, O my flock, thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he goats.’ ‘The sheep and goats are always seen together under the same shepherd and in company; yet they never trespass on the domain of each other … When folded together at night they may always be seen gathered in distinct groups; and so, round the wells they appear instinctively to classify themselves apart, as they wait for the troughs to be filled.’—Tristram.