Among Sheep and Goats  : The Judgement and Acts of Mercy in Matthew 25:31-46

This essay is set out to view Matthew 25:31-46 in the light of Old Testament texts, Jewish, and early Christian texts. The essay has two focal points; the correlation between merciful actions towards your neighbour and/or brother, and who these actions should be aimed at. The texts I have read is from the Old Testament, New Testament, The Apocrypha of the Old Testament, the Pseudepigrapha and the Dead Sea Scrolls. The question at hand has been What connections can be found between the text in Matthew 25:31-46 and the texts at hand?What implications does the reading of these texts give our understanding of Matthew 25:31-46?Regarding the relation between the judgement and merciful deeds. Who the target group for these deeds are. The result show there is indeed existing a discourse regarding the connection between salvation and/or your relation to God and your deeds. Whether it is your relationship to God that requires you to be merciful or of you need to be merciful in order to have a relationship to God is not specified. But it is clear that your treatment of people in need will have an impact in the treatment you receive from God. In regard to who is your (or Gods) brother is also not clearly specified. There is reason to interpret the texts in both a universalistic way and in a more exclusive way. In many aspects it is not necessarily only those considered your brother whom you are to help. When it comes to using the texts above to interpret the passage in the gospel of Matthew, we can see support for both a universal and an exclusive interpretation. There are many implications that mercy should be shown to everyone in need, but there are also references that implies that the mercy is mainly for those who are your brothers. By blood or social and/or religious bonds