Matthew 25:33

“And he will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.”

He is pictured as a shepherd dividing the flock. The separating of sheep from goats for various reasons was a regular part of the shepherd's life. Goats required different treatment from sheep, and especially to be protected from the cold at night, while sheep had at some time to be sheared, and were more highly regarded. Other reasons for separation may have been for breeding, or for the purposes of the market. To be placed on the right hand was to be placed on the favoured side. It indicated judgment in favour. To be placed on the left indicated guilt and judgment. A similar idea is found in other ancient literature.

This division between the sheep and the goats, the righteous and the unrighteous, the elect and the non-elect is pictured elsewhere in many ways. See for example Matthew 13:30; Matthew 13:41; Matthew 13:49; Matthew 24:31; Matthew 24:38; Daniel 12:2; John 5:28; Revelation 20:13. The righteous are those whom Jesus has saved from their sins (Matthew 1:21). We must remember that when God goes about His judgment there will not be the same logistical difficulties as there would be for men. This is not so much a description of how it will be done, but of what will be accomplished.