The “Nations” in Matthew 25

They are all of the nations of the world, as all the peoples or nations of the world will be judged, with each person experiencing his own particular judgment as well. “Nations” is also a translation of the Latin-derived word “Gentiles,” meaning non-Jewish peoples, as in the focus of the Great Commission Jesus provides to his first apostles and by extension the Church in general in perpetuity (Matthew 28:18-20). The evangelization of Jews who have not accepted Jesus is also included in the Great Commission.