The judgment scene depicted in today's gospel text is one of several crowded into Jesus' final discourse series. In 23:29-39, the "scribes and Pharisees" are denounced for their rejection of the Messiah and their ultimate punishment (a hell sentence) foretold. This judgment text is followed by the examples of the faithful and unfaithful servants (24:45-51) and the parable of the talents (25:14-30). In both cases, those who break faith with their "trusts" are punished when the master returns to judge their stewardship.

Having already established faithfulness as the plumb line for condemnation or mercy at the returning Messiah's hands, today's pericope focuses on some other criterion. It would be incorrect to assume that the judgment scene in 31-45 exists wholly apart from a demand for faith…