What Did Jesus Say About Sheep and Goats? A Powerful Parable Explained
The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats: The Basics
This teaching from Jesus appears in Matthew 25:31–46, and it's one of those stories that sticks with you—both beautiful and kind of terrifying. It’s often referred to as the Parable of the Final Judgment, and yeah, it’s intense.
In the story, Jesus compares humanity to a flock that the Son of Man (a title Jesus uses for himself) separates like a shepherd divides sheep from goats. It’s not about livestock, though. It’s about people—and their choices.
“He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.”
(Matthew 25:33)
Okay, so what’s the big deal with sheep and goats?
Why Sheep and Goats? Symbolism Matters
Sheep = the righteous
In the Bible, sheep are often seen as symbols of obedience, humility, and dependence. They follow the shepherd (hello, Psalm 23), they listen, they don’t wander too far.
In the parable, the sheep are the ones who fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited the sick, and generally just loved people without making a show about it. For them, compassion is a lifestyle, not a performance.
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
(Matthew 25:40)
Goats = the selfish (ouch)
Now, goats. These animals are smart, curious, independent—but in this parable, they represent those who looked away. They could have helped the poor, the sick, the strangers… but didn’t.
And Jesus doesn’t sugarcoat it. He tells them:
“Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”
(Matthew 25:45)
That hits hard, right?
This Isn’t About Beliefs Only—It’s About Actions
Here’s where it gets kinda uncomfortable. Jesus doesn't say, “Well, the sheep believed the right things.” Nope. The whole point is how they acted—especially toward those who were suffering or ignored.
It’s a crystal-clear reminder that faith without compassion is hollow.
And let’s be honest: it’s way easier to talk about love than to actually show it when it's inconvenient or messy. (Ugh, I know. Guilty as charged.)
Final Destinations: Harsh or Fair?
The sheep inherit the kingdom
Jesus says they’ll be welcomed into “the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” It's like the ultimate reward—not just heaven as a place, but union with God, forever.
The goats face eternal punishment
And this is the part people don’t like to talk about. The goats, those who failed to love others, are sent to eternal punishment.
Harsh? Maybe. But Jesus frames it not as punishment for honest mistakes, but for willful neglect. They knew what to do and chose not to do it.
So… Are We Sheep or Goats?
That's the million-dollar question. And honestly? Most of us are probably a messy mix of both on any given day.
Jesus uses this parable not to condemn, but to wake us up. It’s a call to actually live out love in real, tangible ways. Not just when it’s convenient. Not just when we’ll get noticed.
Because in the end, it seems what we do for others, we do for Him.
And that... yeah, that changes everything.
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Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.