Jesus’ reference to goats in this illustration is with no discredit to animals of that kind. (On the annual Day of Atonement the blood of a goat was used to make atonement for sin in behalf of Israel.) So the goats merely represent one class of people, and the sheep represent another class.

The “left,” where the “goats” are put, represents a place of dishonor. (Compare Ec 10:2.)