The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 501

I. THE ARRANGRMEN'I' OIi' THE oouRT, And conspicuous here is: 1. The appearanca of the Jwige.. (1) "The Son of man." Under this title the Lord comes to us as the Divine Word or Trot~ made flesh, and so accommodated to our apprehension. In this quality God reveals himself as our Redeemer and Saviour; and in this quality he will appear as our Judge. Accordingly, we learn," Neither hath the Fathcr"-the Godhead as di8t,inct from the manhood-" judged any man, but he hath given all judgment unto the Son." Again, "And because he is the Son of man" (cf. John v. 22, 27 • Acts xvii. 31 ; Rom. ii. 16). (2) But it is the "Son of man in his glory." He dine to nideem us in his humiliation. In his second advent his humanity will be beatified. This was anticipated in the vision of the Transfiguration (see John i. 14). The Deity of the Son of man will then be more gloriously visible. (3) "And all his angels with him." Angels rather shade than enhance the glory of the Lord. They are the "clouds" in which els('where the Son of man is described as coming (see Dan. vii. 13; eh. xxiv. 30; uvi. 64; Rev. i. 7). They come to moderate the effect of that face, the fire of which will kindle the final conflagration (cf. 2 Pet. iii. 7; Rev, :xx. 11). (4) "Then shall be sit upon the throne of his glory," or "glorious thro4e." Agreeably to this he speaks as " the King" (ver. 34). Surely it is impossible, in the light of this Scripture, were there no other, to doubt the proper Deity of our blessed Lord. 2. The vast assembly. (1) "And before him were gathered all the nations." Though the particular illustra- tion which follows has reference to those only from among them who had heard the gospel, yet these words imply that the whole human race will congregate there (see Acts xvii. 31). Witness, then, all the men from every clime, and all the generations of the ages. (2) Such a congregation presupposes a general resurrection, Elsewhere we are taught that this will take place (cf. Dan. xii. 2; John v. 28, 29). So the dead, small and great, stand before the throne (Rev. XL 12). (3) Added to the vast aggre- gate of humanity, "all the angels" are present. This doubtless brings prominently before us the holy angels ; but their presence suggests also that of the fallen. And we read further on of the" everlasting fire prepared,for the devil and his angels" (ver. 34). They were probably the first judged. They were the first in transgression, the first cursed, and so likewise tho first doomed (see Rev. xx. 1-3). 3. The solemn discrimi- ,w,tion. (I) All nations are assembled before the King for his inspection. The proceaa of the inspection is not here described; but elsewhere we are assured that "every one of us shall give accouut of himself unto God" (Rom. xiv. 12). Neither is time here specified which the inspection may occupy. It will probably extend throughout the great period of a thousand years described by John (see Rev. xx.). (2) The discrimi- nation eventuates in separation (ver. 32). The sbeop is the symbol of peaceableness and innocency. The goat, on the contrary, a quarrelsome, lasoivious, and ill-scenkd creature, describes the impure. The sheep pass to the "right band," a position which, according to the rabbins, expresses approbation and eminence. The goats pass to tbo "left," which, they say, expresses disapprobation an<l rejection. The Romane recog- nized a similar distinction (see' lEn.,' vL 540). (3) The angels will be employed as instruments in this great service (see eh. xiii. 30, 39-43). Note: Men who can agree in matters of worldly business, and even in matters of morals, will yet separate when they come to the higher plane of religion. The spirituality of the future state is the touchstone. IL THE AWARD OF THE BIGHTEOUB. 1. They are commended. (1) Because they showed kindness to the disciples of Christ. They gave meat to the hungry ; drink to the thirsty; clothing to the naked; hospitality to the stranger; attention to the _sick_; encouragement to the prisoner. (2) Because they did all this from the pure motive of love to Jesus. So he takes it home. "I was hungry," etc.;:," ye did it unto me." What dignity does tbis stamp upon the lowlieat offices and acts (see Eph. vi. 5-7; Col. iii. 17; Heh. vi. 10) I (3) Therefore are they greeted as "blessed of the Father.'' Such acts of kindness evince them to be the children of that blessed Father who " maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust" (see eh. v. 43-48). "It is more blessed to give than to receive." It is more God-like. 2. They arepromowl. (1) "Come, ye blessed (children] ofmy Father;" come nearer to me, the "Son of man,'' the" King" of glory. "My brethren" (ver. 40). JesUB never directly calls his disciples his brethren until after his resurrection. Jesus iµorified is more nearly related to the men regenerated than J11sus unglorified to moD au, xxv. l__.6.J THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 507