Matthew 25:31-46 Who is Jesus' brethren and are who are being judged?

Matthew 25:31-32 draws the context of the judgement scene clearly. When Jesus comes with his angels He would gather the nations and separate those who are a part of the kingdom from those who are not.

The difficulty with this scenario is that the basis of judgement is vs 35 and 36 a persons response to the need of the people around him. These people are referred to as the “brethren” of Christ. The difficulties which immediately arise are:-

1. It is a gospel of works if mankind is judged as per this criterion

2. Why are the poor and hungry the brethren of Christ? Does it mean that the rich are not?

If we see the context of the parable, we see the following:-

a. It is the third of a series of judgement parables, the first being the wise and foolish virgins, the second the parable of the talents and then this.

b. It is preceded by the Olivet Discourse which is addressed to the disciples and followed by the Last Supper.

In the context of the location of the parable in the gospel narrative, it appears to be addressed to the disciples and appear to be a warning to them not to presume on their special relationship with God but their life needs to reflect their faith ala James.

Then the warning to the disciples is:-

 1. Foolish virgins – they need to be Spirit filled and alert

2. Talents – they need to invest their material resources in the things of God and be active in the ministry

3. Goats and Sheep – they need to reflect the love of God to mankind, and to show generosity to the needy.

 This then is not a gospel of works but the same as James that you faith is seen in your life style.

 If we accept this interpretation then the brethren become the believers as Jesus defines it in Matthew 12:48-49.

 The only difficulty with this interpretation is that the setting of the parable as the judgement scene of the nations appears misleading or irrelevant.

 Any ideas?