“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text emphasizes that Jesus will return not just as a king, but as the glorious Son of Man, accompanied by all his angels. This isn't just about earthly power; it signifies the ultimate, visible manifestation of his divine authority as he takes his place on his glorious throne to judge.
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just finished speaking in parables about faithfulness and readiness for his return, and now he transitions to a direct description of the final judgment. This passage is the culmination of his teachings about the end times, contrasting the fate of the righteous with that of the wicked. It paints a vivid picture of Christ returning in supreme glory to judge all nations and assign eternal destinies.
Imagine the most incredible homecoming imaginable. This verse paints a picture of Jesus' return, not as a humble servant, but as the magnificent King He truly is.
Matthew 25:31 marks a pivotal moment: the second coming of Jesus. He is described as the 'Son of Man,' a title Jesus often used for Himself, reminding us of His humanity and connection to us. But He doesn't return in disguise; He arrives 'in his glory.' This isn't a subtle entrance; it's a grand, public display of His divine majesty.
Think about what this means:
The King's arrival isn't just a spectacle; it's the prelude to a decisive moment that affects everyone. Who stands before Him, and what is at stake?
Following Jesus' glorious arrival, the focus shifts to the purpose of His coming: judgment. Matthew 25:31-32 immediately tells us that 'all the nations shall be assembled before him.' This is not a small gathering; it encompasses the entire human race.
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Key aspects of this judgment include:
Understand the original words
huios tou anthrōpou · Greek Noun phrase
A messianic title derived from Daniel 7:13-14, referring to the Messiah as the heavenly figure who holds authority, judges the world, and establishes God's kingdom. It emphasizes both his humanity and his divine authority.
doxa · Greek Noun
The visible manifestation of God's presence, majesty, and divine radiance. In the context of the Messiah, it refers to his rightful status as the exalted King and Judge of all creation.
angelos · Greek Noun
Spiritual beings created by God who serve as His messengers, ministers, and agents in carrying out His purposes, including accompanying the Messiah at His second coming.
thronos · Greek Noun
A position of supreme authority, sovereignty, and judicial power. To sit on a throne represents the exercise of kingly rule and the dispensing of final justice.
This teaching of Jesus, delivered in his final days, looks beyond the immediate events of Roman occupation and the destruction of Jerusalem to a future, definitive judgment where all nations will stand before the Son of Man.
c. 30-33 AD— this verse
Jesus Teaches on the Mount of Olives
Jesus delivers teachings about the end times, the final judgment, and the coming of the Son of Man, often from the Mount of Olives, in response to disciples' questions.
c. 30-33 AD
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
The pivotal events of Jesus' atoning sacrifice and subsequent resurrection, which establish his authority and role as mediator and future judge.
c. 40s-60s AD
Early Christian Missions and Expansion
The Gospel spreads rapidly throughout the Roman Empire, with apostles and early believers actively evangelizing and establishing churches among various nations.
c. 70 AD
Destruction of Jerusalem
The Roman legions conquer Jerusalem and destroy the Second Temple, a significant event in Jewish history that some interpreted as a sign of judgment, though Jesus' teaching points to a future, universal judgment.
c. 90-100 AD
Gospel of Matthew Compiled
The Gospel of Matthew, containing Jesus' teachings on the final judgment, is finalized and circulated among early Christian communities, preserving these eschatological discourses.
This passage from Daniel describes a similar vision of a 'Son of Man' figure coming with the clouds of heaven to receive authority and dominion, directly foreshadowing Jesus' glorious arrival as King and Judge.
Zechariah 14:5This verse speaks of the Lord coming with all His holy ones, aligning with Matthew 25:31's depiction of Jesus' triumphant return accompanied by His angels.
1 Thessalonians 4:16This passage describes the Lord Himself descending from heaven with a loud command and the trumpet call of God, emphasizing the glorious and audible nature of Christ's return with His heavenly host.
Revelation 19:11-16This passage in Revelation provides a vivid image of Jesus, now called the Word of God, returning as a victorious King on a white horse, followed by the armies of heaven, illustrating the glorious and authoritative nature of His second coming.
Matthew 24:30This verse immediately preceding the judgment discourse in Matthew describes the 'sign of the Son of Man' appearing in the sky and all the tribes of the earth mourning, setting the stage for Jesus' glorious appearance and the gathering of all nations.
barnesMatthew 25:31: "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:"
When the Son of man ... - This is in answer to the question which the disciples proposed to Jesus respecting the end of the world, Matthew 24:3 . That this refers to the last judgment, and not, as some have supposed, to the destruction of Jerusalem, appears: 1. From the fact that it was in answer to an express inquiry respecting "the end" of the world.…
calvinMatthew 25:31-46: "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:"
- Now 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: 32. And all the nations shall be assembled before him; and he shall separate them from one another, as a shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats. 33. And he shall place the sheep on his right hand, and the goats…
The text emphasizes that Jesus will return not just as a king, but as the glorious Son of Man, accompanied by all his angels. This isn't just about earthly power; it signifies the ultimate, visible manifestation of his divine authority as he takes his place on his glorious throne to judge.
Jesus has just finished speaking in parables about faithfulness and readiness for his return, and now he transitions to a direct description of the final judgment. This passage is the culmination of his teachings about the end times, contrasting the fate of the righteous with that of the wicked. It paints a vivid picture of Christ returning in supreme glory to judge all nations and assign eternal destinies.
Jesus has just finished speaking in parables about faithfulness and readiness for his return, and now he transitions to a direct description of the final judgment. This passage is the culmination of his teachings about the end times, contrasting the fate of the righteous with that of the wicked. It paints a vivid picture of Christ returning in supreme glory to judge all nations and assign eternal destinies.
"“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne." — The text emphasizes that Jesus will return not just as a king, but as the glorious Son of Man, accompanied by all his angels. This isn't just about earthly power; it signifies the ultimate, visible m…
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Last reviewed October 2026