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 25:31KJV
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Matthew 25:31 (KJV)

What does Matthew 25:31 mean?

Matthew 25:31 describes a future moment when Jesus, called "the Son of man," will return in great splendor, accompanied by all the holy angels, and will take his place on a glorious throne. This verse sets the stage for a scene of judgment and authority, highlighting Jesus’ role as a king and judge at the end of the age.

In this passage, Jesus is speaking to his disciples about what will happen when he comes again. The verse marks a transition from his teachings and parables to a vision of final judgment, where he is pictured not as a humble teacher but as a majestic ruler. The mention of "all the holy angels" and "the throne of his glory" emphasizes the seriousness and grandeur of this event.

The Greek behind Matthew 25:31

  • "Son of man" (υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, huios tou anthrōpou): This phrase is a title Jesus often uses for himself, drawing from Old Testament imagery and emphasizing both his humanity and his special role in God’s plan.
  • "Glory" (δόξα, doxa): The Greek word here means splendor, honor, or divine majesty. In this context, it stresses the overwhelming greatness and authority Jesus will display at his return.
  • "Throne" (θρόνος, thronos): This word points to a seat of royal authority and judgment. The image is not just of Jesus returning, but of him ruling and making decisions as a king.

Why Matthew 25:31 matters

  • Matthew 25:31 clarifies that Jesus is not only a teacher but is also presented as the final judge with divine authority, a key theme in Christian belief about the end times.
  • The verse connects directly to the following passage about the separation of the "sheep and goats," showing that the coming judgment is based on Jesus’ authority and not just abstract moral principles.
  • By describing the return of the Son of man with all the holy angels, the verse highlights the cosmic scale and seriousness of the event, setting it apart from ordinary human experiences.

Where else these words appear

“sit” Greek G2523 · used in 46 verses

  • Matthew 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
  • Luke 4:20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
  • Acts 13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

“throne” Greek G2362 · used in 50 verses

  • Matthew 5:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
  • Revelation 4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
  • Revelation 7:15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

“When” Greek G3752 · used in 118 verses

  • Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
  • Luke 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
  • John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.