The Sheep and Goats Parable — KJV Bible Study Guide
A free 10-lesson Bible study guide on the sheep and goats parable, drawn entirely from the King James Version. Each lesson opens with a study question, gives the verse reference, and offers a short teaching note. Use it for personal devotions, a small group, or a Sunday school class.
The 10 lessons
Lesson 1 · Matthew 25:31 (KJV)
When shall the Son of man come in His glory?
Answer: When he shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory
Study note. 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. (Matthew 25:31)
Lesson 2 · Matthew 25:32 (KJV)
What shall He do before Him?
Answer: Gather all nations, and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats
Study note. And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. (Matthew 25:32)
Lesson 3 · Matthew 25:33 (KJV)
Where shall He set the sheep?
Answer: On his right hand
Study note. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. (Matthew 25:33)
Lesson 4 · Matthew 25:34 (KJV)
What did the King say to those on His right hand?
Answer: Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world
Study note. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (Matthew 25:34)
Lesson 5 · Matthew 25:35 (KJV)
For what did the King commend the righteous?
Answer: I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in
Study note. For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. (Matthew 25:35-36)
Lesson 6 · Matthew 25:37 (KJV)
How did the righteous respond when they saw Jesus in need?
Answer: Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Study note. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? (Matthew 25:37)
Lesson 7 · Matthew 25:40 (KJV)
What did the King say He counted as done to Himself?
Answer: Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me
Study note. And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:40)
Lesson 8 · Matthew 25:41 (KJV)
What did the King say to those on the left hand?
Answer: Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels
Study note. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. (Matthew 25:41)
Lesson 9 · Matthew 25:42 (KJV)
Why were the goats condemned?
Answer: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink
Study note. For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. (Matthew 25:42-43)
Lesson 10 · Matthew 25:46 (KJV)
Where do the righteous go?
Answer: Into life eternal
Study note. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (Matthew 25:46)
Key verses to memorize
The passages this study returns to most often — pick one or two and commit them to memory this week.
Discussion questions
- Which lesson in this study surprised you the most, and why?
- How does the sheep and goats parable point us to Jesus Christ and the gospel?
- Pick one verse from the key passages above. How does it shape the way you will pray, read, or live this week?
- Who in your life could you share one of these truths with in the next seven days?