Matthew 25:31

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

When {G1161}{G3752} the Son {G5207} of man {G444} shall come {G2064} in {G1722} his {G846} glory {G1391}, and {G2532} all {G3956} the holy {G40} angels {G32} with {G3326} him {G846}, then {G5119} shall he sit {G2523} upon {G1909} the throne {G2362} of his {G846} glory {G1391}:

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, accompanied by all the angels, he will sit on his glorious throne.

When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne.

But when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory:

Commentary

Matthew 25:31 marks the majestic opening of Jesus' discourse on the final judgment, often referred to as the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats. This verse sets the grand stage for the ultimate display of Christ's sovereignty and judicial authority.

Context

This verse is part of the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25), where Jesus teaches His disciples about the end times, His second coming, and the importance of readiness. It follows parables emphasizing faithful stewardship (the Parable of the Talents) and vigilance (the Parable of the Ten Virgins). Matthew 25:31 directly introduces the scene of the universal judgment, clarifying who the judge will be and the manner of His arrival, providing a crucial transition to the description of the final judgment of the nations.

Key Themes

  • The Second Coming of Christ: This verse unequivocally declares the future, visible return of Jesus. It speaks to the climactic moment when the "Son of man" will reappear, not as a humble servant, but as a triumphant King. His coming will be a definitive event, witnessed by all.
  • Divine Glory and Majesty: Jesus will return "in his glory," accompanied by "all the holy angels." This signifies a powerful, visible manifestation of His divine nature and supreme authority. The phrase "throne of his glory" underscores His rightful position as the sovereign ruler and ultimate judge of the universe.
  • Christ's Kingship and Judgment: The act of sitting "upon the throne of his glory" is a clear depiction of Christ assuming His role as King and Judge. This is not merely a symbolic gesture but an active assertion of His dominion over all creation, preceding the separation of humanity based on their deeds (as elaborated in the subsequent verses).

Linguistic Insights

  • "Son of man": This title, frequently used by Jesus for Himself, highlights both His humanity and His divine, messianic authority. It carries strong Old Testament connotations, particularly from Daniel 7:13-14, where the "Son of man" is given everlasting dominion and glory.
  • "Glory" (Greek: doxa): This term denotes splendor, majesty, and inherent divine radiance. When Jesus comes "in his glory," it means He will manifest His full divine power and inherent splendor, a stark contrast to His first humble advent.
  • "Throne of his glory": This emphasizes the royal and judicial nature of His return. It is a throne of ultimate authority and righteous judgment, from which He will administer justice to all nations, establishing His eternal kingdom.

Practical Application

Matthew 25:31 serves as a profound reminder of accountability and hope. For believers, it offers assurance of Christ's ultimate victory and the establishment of His righteous kingdom, providing comfort in the face of present challenges. For all, it underscores the certainty of a future day of reckoning when every person will stand before the King and Judge. This truth should motivate us to live lives of faithful service, compassion towards others, and eager anticipation of Christ's glorious return, knowing that our actions now have eternal significance.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Revelation 1:7 (12 votes)

    Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they [also] which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

  • Matthew 19:28 (11 votes)

    And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:7 (11 votes)

    And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:8 (11 votes)

    In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

  • Matthew 16:27 (10 votes)

    For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

  • Mark 8:38 (9 votes)

    Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

  • Psalms 9:7 (8 votes)

    But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.