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‘Critically discuss Jesus’ parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25_31-46)’
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‘Critically discuss Jesus’ parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46)’ [30 marks]The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats is a fundamental aspect within the topic of death and afterlife. In short,
this biblical passage explains the concept of judgement. Jesus makes it clear, that a life worthy of the reward of
Heaven must involve actively helping people in need. Therefore, this essay will critically examine the parable,
and come to the conclusion that this core teaching as such, is meant to be interpreted in light of judgement and
life after death. Moreover, this line of argument will include the scholarly views of John Calvin, John Hick,
Martin Luther, Augustine, Pelagius and Iraneus.
The first way in which this biblical passage needs to be examined, is through outlining the key aspects of the
parable itself. The sheep, who are placed on the right, represent everybody in humanity who has helped
someone in need or given back to the world in some way. Contradicting this, the goats, who are therefore placed
on the left, represent those who have lived a selfish life, giving no help towards those most in need. The sheep in
this parable are saved because they helped the King’s brothers when they were poor, naked or in prison. The
goats, however, are condemned for their actions as, unlike the sheep, they still saw the King’s brothers in the
same distress and offered no help. The final outcome of this parable therefore, is that the sheeps are rewarded
because of their moral actions with an eternal place in heaven, whereas the goats are punished for their neglect
with an eternal place in hell. It is thus clear from this parable, that what is occurring is the final day of
judgement, where the Son of Man will judge all nations together. The Catholic branch of Christianity believes in
a concept referred to as particular judgement, essentially believing that at the moment of death individuals are
judged and go to heaven, hell or purgatory, corroborating the claim of this parable. Furthermore, at the end of
time, all of creation will then be perfected into a new heaven and earth. A scholar who supports this statement,
but further incorporates consciousness into his argument is John Calvin, a 16th century protestant. Calvin argued
that the dead are conscious while they wait for the day of judgement, and are either in agony or bliss. It is
therefore through examining the key aspects of the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats where it is clear this
parable forms the basis of the concept of final judgement.
Another core aspect, which needs examining further in order to understand this parable fully, is the fact that it
suggests there is no such thing as purgatory, particularly on the matter of final judgement. As aforementioned,
the parable states that the sheep gain an eternal place in heaven, whereas the goats are granted an eternal place in
hell; it is thus clear there is no middle ground between this. Though it can be implied from this parable that
purgatory is not a concept within final judgement, there are, however, many denominations within Christianity,
such as the protestant branch previously mentioned, who entwine purgatory within their Christian belief. A
scholar, who shares an opposing opinion compared to this parable, is John Hick, who instead argues for
purgatory's existence. Hick argues that we need an intermediate state, because suffering is part of our moral
journey towards moral goodness and the freely chosen love of God. This can be corroborated by when he states
‘The gap between the individual’s imperfection at the end of his life and the perfect heavily state in which he is
to participate has to be bridged’. John Hick also furthers his view by stating that a concept such as hell, is
incompatible with a loving God, and thus he thinks everyone will receive reward in heaven; he therefore takes
the view of an inclusivist. Additionally Hick states that an intermediate state, purgatory, is the necessary place of
learning in order to achieve reform, so we can be worthy of heaven. However, a scholar who would directly
counterargue Hick’s argument is Martin Luther. The scholar rejected the selling of indulgences and teachings
about purgatory, arguing that there is no biblical support for the idea, thus corroborating the Parable of the Sheep
and the Goats. Therefore, it is clear from Hicks perspective, coupled with the belief of other Christian
denominations, that contradict the biblical view of heaven and hell in the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats.
Thirdly, it has to be mentioned that this biblical parable also rejects the idea of election, the notion that God
favours some individuals and groups more than others. This parable, instead details that it is the continuous
moral action throughout the course of life, that will then rest in God’s final judgement. However, whilst the
Parable of the Sheep and the Goats may not suggest that election is a concept within final judgement, there are
other areas within the Bible that suggest otherwise, thus showing a level of contradiciton between biblical
passages. This can be corroborated by where it states in Romans 8:28-30 ‘For those God foreknew he also
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