Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 25:32

"and before him shall be gathered all the nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats;" — Matthew 25:32 (ASV)

And before him, etc. At his coming to judgment, the world will be burned up and destroyed (2 Peter 3:10, 12; Revelation 20:11).

The dead in Christ—that is, all true Christians—shall be first raised up from their graves (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

The living shall be changed—that is, they shall be made like the glorified bodies of those who are raised from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:52–54; 1 Thessalonians 4:17).

All the wicked shall rise and come forth to judgment (John 5:28–29; Daniel 12:2; Matthew 13:41–42; Revelation 20:13).

Then shall the world be judged, the righteous saved, and the wicked punished.

And he shall separate, etc. He shall determine concerning their character and shall appoint them their doom accordingly.

See also: separate them (Ezekiel 20:38; Matthew 13:49) and shepherd divideth (Psalms 78:52; John 10:14, 27).