and why did Jesus tell them to depart?
because they did not feed the hungry, clothe the poor, visit the sick and those in prison.
things that all true believers will do.
notice , he did NOT say " you did not keep the Ten....'
Amen... because they did not feed the hungry, clothe the poor, visit the sick and those in prison.
I agree.
Unfortunately this context is from the previous verses -
Let’s look -
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. Matthew 25:14
These talents were given to His own servants. Not unbelievers.
“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ Matthew 26:26-30
And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
The context of Matthew 25 is about what He will do on the Day of Judgement when He returns, to gather His people, His own servants, to Judge each one according to their deeds.
Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
for I was hungry and you gave Me food;
I was thirsty and you gave Me drink;
I was a stranger and you took Me in;
I was naked and you clothed Me;
I was sick and you visited Me;
I was in prison and you came to Me.’
“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:
for I was hungry and you gave Me no food;
I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink;
I was a stranger and you did not take Me in,
naked and you did not clothe Me,
sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’
These on the left hand buried their talents and did nothing with the love and forgiveness and life of Jesus they were given.
And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. Titus 3:14
Unfortunately their are indeed those who are unfruitful Christians who do nothing with the life of Jesus.
JPT