Matthew 25:33
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
American King James Version (AKJV)
And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
American Standard Version (ASV)
and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
And he will put the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.
Webster's Revision
And he will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
World English Bible
He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
English Revised Version (ERV)
and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Clarke's Matthew 25:33 Bible Commentary
He shall set the sheep, etc. - The right hand signifies, among the rabbins, approbation and eminence: the left hand, rejection, and disapprobation. Hence in Sohar Chadash it is said, "The right hand is given, the left also is given - to the Israelites and the Gentiles are given paradise and hell - this world, and the world to come." The right and left were emblematical of endless beatitude and endless misery among the Romans. Hence Virgil: -
Hic locus est, partes ubi se via findit in ambas,
Dextera, quae Ditis magni sub moenia tendit:
Hac iter Elysium nobis; at laeva malorum
Exercet poenas, et ad impia Tartara mittit
Aen. vi. 540
Here in two ample roads the way divides,
The right direct, our destined journey guides,
By Pluto's palace, to the Elysian plains;
The left to Tartarus, where bound in chains
Loud howl the damn'd in everlasting pains.
Pitt
Of the good and faithful servants he approves, and therefore exalts them to his glory; of the slothful and wicked he disapproves, and casts them into hell.
Sheep, which have ever been considered as the emblems of mildness, simplicity, patience, and usefulness, represent here the genuine disciples of Christ.
continued...
Barnes's Matthew 25:33 Bible Commentary
Shall set the sheep ... - By "the sheep" are denoted, here, the righteous. The name is given to them because the sheep is an emblem of innocence and harmlessness. See John 10:7, John 10:14-16, John 10:27; Psalm 100:3; Psalm 74:1; Psalm 23:1-6.
On the right hand - The right hand is the place of honor, and denotes the situation of those who are honored, or those who are virtuous. See Ecclesiastes 10:2; Ephesians 1:20; Psalm 110:1; Acts 2:25, Acts 2:33.
The goats - The wicked. See Ezekiel 34:17.
The left - That is, the left hand. This was the place of dishonor, denoting condemnation. See Ecclesiastes 10:2.