The Sheep and Goats Judgment Has No Doctrine
In the sheep and goats parable, the righteous are surprised they did anything worthy of reward.
Matthew 25:31–46. The sheep (righteous) are told they fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and visited prisoners — actions done to 'the least of these my brethren.' Their response: 'Lord, when saw we thee...?' (v37–39). They did not know they were doing it to him. The goats respond the same way: 'Lord, when saw we thee...?' (v44). Both groups are equally surprised by the judgment criterion. The righteous did not know they were serving Christ; the unrighteous did not know they were failing to serve Christ. The parable places the judgment criterion outside conscious awareness in both directions.
Red Letter Sources
Matthew 25:37Matthew 25:44Matthew 25:40
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
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.
Evidence Notes
Both groups' surprise is explicitly stated in the text (vv37-39, v44). The identification criterion (the least of these) is stated in v40 and v45.
