Separation of Sheep and Goats, Byzantine (MET, 24.144.4).Image credit: Johnston Fund, 1924.
US Speaker of the House Michael Johnson claims that the US government is exempt from following Jesus' commandment to "love your neighbor", specifically in the ways described by Matthew 25:31-46 (the Final Judgment). This false claim allows him to look the other way when ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents terrorize US citizens and residents. Johnson bases his religious view on a misreading of cherry-picked Bible verses; a comprehensive reading of the Old and New Testaments exposes Johnson's teaching as false.
Grace and peace to all who read this letter, in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The purpose of this essay is to refute the theological errors in Michael Johnson's interpretation of Matthew 25:35, and thereby prevent anyone from mistaking Johnson's dissertation for actual Bible-based Christianity. Johnson's statement was published on X on February 3, 2026.
The text below:
Speaker Mike Johnson's words below are in plain text, and [my comments are
in bold.] You will see many [redacted] sections where
Johnson drifted off into past grudges against the previous
Presidential Administration of Joe Biden, or potshots at "the
Left", or outright trolling. Those redacted sections have no
place in a Christian theological essay that seeks to read God's Word
and apply it to our daily lives.
Separation of Sheep and Goats, Byzantine (MET, 24.144.4).On Tuesday [February 3, 2026], MeidasTouch reporter Pablo Manríquez told Johnson, "Pope Leo has cited Matthew 25:35 to critique Donald Trump's mass deportation agenda. How would you respond to Pope Leo in scripture?"
"So you want me to give you a theological dissertation? All right. I tell you what. I'll post it on my website later today, but let me give you a quick summary," Johnson responded before launching into a soliloquy insisting that the Bible says "assimilation is expected and anticipated and proper." [Johnson never cited a Bible verse in support of his expectation for assimilation; his statement here lacks Biblical support.]
"Borders and
walls are biblical, from the Old Testament to the new, God has
allowed us to set up our civil societies and have separate nations.
Immigration is not something that's frowned upon in scripture,
in fact it's welcomed," Johnson explained.
[Yes. God
approves of administrative boundaries for the purpose of
organizing society. See the allocation
of tribal lands throughout Canaan described in Joshua
13:8 - 17:18]
"When someone comes into your country, comes into your nation, they do not have the right to change its laws or to change a society. They're expected to assimilate. [redacted]" he said. [Johnson's statement is not at all Biblical. On the contrary, see the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20; Jesus expected that "all nations" would indeed be transformed by His Gospel. Some of the laws of those nations would also necessarily be changed.]
Johnson also said
that scripture mandates that civil authorities maintain order,
[redacted].
[Yes. Organized
societies - especially those that are at peace - made it much easier
for Jesus' Apostles to travel and spread the Gospel throughout the
known world. When St. Paul was shipwrecked on the island of Malta, he
and his shipmates were blessed to encounter friendly locals who
assisted them. (Acts
27-28:16)]
[redacted] he
said. "We should love our neighbor as ourselves, as
individuals, but as a civil authority, the government has to maintain
the law, and that is biblical."
[Johnson
introduces a distinction between the Christian behavior expected of
individuals and that behavior expected of a civil
authority. That distinction is not Biblical. Political leaders who
take on the responsibility of civil authority have to figure out how
to love their neighbors and also maintain the law. Pilate's sacrifice
of Galileans in Luke
13:1-3 is certainly not commended just because he was maintaining
order.]
In the press gaggle following today's vote, I was asked to defend the Biblical case for border security and immigration enforcement. [No, he was not asked that. Speaker Johnson was asked if he would treat Jesus the same way that he is treating the people who are being assaulted, detained, and some deported by ICE.] I did so, and then promised to post a longer explanation that I drafted during the Biden Administration. Here it is, and I hope it's helpful:
[redacted]
people of all religious faiths should support a strong national
border—and Christians CERTAINLY should. Critics are fond of
citing particular Bible verses out of context to claim that
Christians and Jews are being "unfaithful" if we oppose
their [redacted] borders agenda. It has become increasingly
important for us to set this record straight.
[No. "Strong
national borders" are not an approved Biblical concept. The
near-destruction of the tribe of Benjamin occurred in part because of
strong "national" borders and belligerent attitudes
between the tribes of Israel that should have been brothers (Judges
19-21). Jesus crossed national borders to heal the
Syro-Phoenician woman living in the district of Tyre and Sidon
(Matthew
15:21-28). Galatians
3:28 further states: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is
neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all
one in Christ Jesus (ESV). Fortified borders may be
constructed if there is a threat of military invasion (2
Chronicles 32:1-23, Hezekiah and Sennacherib).]
Perhaps the verse most often cited [redacted] is Leviticus 19:34. [redacted] that passage happens to be from the instructions Moses delivered to the Israelites when they were on their journey through the wilderness in Sinai, before they reached their own Promised Land. The verse reads as follows: "But the stranger that dwelleth [sojourns] with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God." (KJV) [Be suspicious of quotations from the King James Version (1611). God gives His word in the contemporary language of the people, and there is no need to appeal to archaic language in some attempt to dress it up and make it sound more holy.]
It is, of course, a
central premise of Judeo-Christian teaching that strangers should be
treated with kindness and hospitality. We are each called to love God
first and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Deut. 6:5, Lev. 19:18,
Matt. 22:36-40, [redacted]). However, that "Greatest
Commandment" was never directed to the government, but to
INDIVIDUAL believers.
[No! The Two
Kingdoms Doctrine is a Protestant theological view that God
governs directly through the spiritual realm, and governs indirectly
through the civic authorities. Johnson seems to have invented a
distortion of that doctrine to claim without Biblical support that
civil governments do not have to follow Jesus' two Greatest
Commandments. This is absurd! In the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) the
King certainly had the responsibility to act in a righteous manner.
He was the state. The people suffered under wicked kings like Ahab (1
Kings 16:29 - 18) and Manasseh (2
Kings 21 and 2
Chronicles 33). The Biblical authors strongly condemn wicked
kings and praise righteous Kings like Josiah (2
Kings 22 – 23:30 and 2
Chronicles 34).
When Jesus identified the Two Greatest Commandments, He stated that all the Law and the Prophets flow from these two commandments (Matthew 22:34-40). These two commandments are universal, eternal, and binding on all believers, including those in leadership roles formulating government policy and practice. Although it might seem in Washington, DC that immigration policies are abstract legislation and signed policy directives, all governmental policies are enacted by individual people interacting with other people. Matthew 25:31-46 directs all of us to consider that the destitute person standing in front of us - is Jesus.
In the New Testament, Jesus heals the servant of a Roman Centurion (Luke 7:1-10). This man had civic and military authority, and the Jewish elders stated that he was personally worthy of Jesus' help. The Bible makes no distinction between the Centurion's governmental and individual roles. Furthermore, Pontius Pilate's decision to condemn Jesus and avoid a riot has been universally condemned by Christianity for 2,000 years (Matthew 27:11-26 and the Nicene Creed). Pilate is never absolved by the Gospel writers simply because he was the Governor of Judah and had to maintain order.]
The Bible teaches that God ordained and created four distinct spheres of authority— (1) the individual, (2) the family, (3) the church, and (4) civil government—and each of these spheres is given different responsibilities. For example, while each INDIVIDUAL is accountable for his or her own behavior (e.g., Exodus 20), the FAMILY is commanded to "bring up children in the training and instruction of the Lord" (Eph. 6:4) and "provide for their relatives" (1 Tim. 5:8). The CHURCH is commanded to make disciples and equip people for the work of the ministry (Eph. 4:11-13), and the CIVIL GOVERNMENT is established to faithfully uphold and enforce the law so that order can be maintained in this fallen world, crime can be kept at bay, and people can live peacefully (Rom. 13, 1 Tim. 2:1-2).
[The Bible indeed gives focused instructions for the various roles that individuals occupy in their families and in society. The Two Greatest Commandments apply all those roles, and to all the groups in society. Government actions are carried out by individual people. There is nothing in any of the Bible verses that Mike Johnson cites to support his claim that any particular "distinct sphere of authority" is exempt from the commands addressed to another sphere. The following behaviors are NOT Biblically okay:
1 Timothy 2:1-2 actually contradicts Johnson's claim of governmental exemption. "1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way." Kings and high officials are indeed supposed to live decent lives (1 Timothy 2:4).]
To be properly
understood, anytime a command is given in Scripture, one must first
determine to WHOM that command is directed. For example, when Jesus
taught us as His followers to practice mercy and forgiveness and to
"turn the other cheek" (Matt. 5:38-40, KJV), He was not
giving that command to the government. To the contrary, when
government officials ignore crime, they are directly VIOLATING their
responsibilities before God.
[Johnson's
teaching here is not Biblical. Jesus' ministry was primarily
directed among individuals of first-century Israel (Matthew
5:1-2, Sermon on the Mount). Accordingly, His teachings
were more concerned about the Kingdom of Heaven than the Kingdoms of
this earth. Nevertheless, I see nothing in the Bible directing
governments to "get tough on crime," which we should
expect to find if Johnson's hypothesis is correct.
Christian victims of abuse have the awful quandary to figure out how to turn the other cheek and not get killed. See Matthew 18:15-17. Government officials have the responsibility to evaluate options of a pardon, commuting the sentence, or parole when there is genuine remorse and no further danger to society. These options are legal mechanisms to implement Matthew 5:38-40.]
Indeed, the civil
authorities are specifically charged to do justice, to "bear
the sword," and to serve as "the minister of God, a
revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil" (Rom.
13:1-4, KJV). As the Bible warns: "When a crime is not punished
quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong." (Ecc. 8:11, TLB)
[Romans
13:1-4 is clearly addressed to individuals, not to the civil
authorities. St. Paul here describes the reality of Roman law under
which the Roman Christians lived; submit to the Roman authorities,
focus on the Kingdom of Heaven, and do not get yourselves killed for
some non-Christian reason. Romans 13:1-4 is not divine instructions
for governing addressed to the civil authorities.
Ecclesiastes 8:11 is part of a lament: the wicked are getting away with their sinful behavior far longer than the author would prefer! "11 Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil." (ESV) Ecclesiastes 8:10-17 is talking about the inscrutable nature of God's ways, timing, and judgment, not about the response time of local law enforcement.]
Read in its context,
the passage in Leviticus 19 makes perfect sense. Showing love and
kindness to a stranger was not a command given to civil government,
but instead to individual believers. That same principle is
emphasized in the New Testament. When Jesus spoke of embracing,
caring, and providing for "the least of these" (E.g.,
Matt. 25:31-40), His instruction was given to His disciples, and not
the local authorities.
[In the
particular case of Leviticus
19:33-34, Speaker Michael Johnson would have us believe that
kindness toward strangers stops at the individual level; and does not
extend outward to the family, the community, the nation, and the
government. A "sojourn" is a temporary stay in a foreign
community, much as the Hebrews lived in Egypt for many generations
(Exodus
12:40). A family of strangers in Biblical Canaan would
necessarily require the kindness of the community to have a place to
pitch their tents, use the common well, glean the fields and
vineyards (Leviticus
19:9-10),
purchase goods at the local market, and travel unmolested by the
local authorities.
In Matthew 25 Jesus gave global instructions to His disciples in a series of final warnings before His betrayal and crucifixion. Matthew 25:31-32 states: "31 When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats." "All the nations" in this context refers to all humans for all time. At the Final Judgment God will give no exemptions for the goats who were setting policy in some government office.]
The Bible is clear
that Christians should practice personal charity—but also
insist upon the enforcement of laws (like our federal immigration
statutes) so that "every person is subject to the governing
authorities" and "those who resist incur judgment"
(Rom. 13:1-2).
[See above.
Romans
13:1-2 is addressed to individual Christians living in Rome.
Romans
13:1-6 is not instructions for good governance. For guidance
given specifically to the local authorities, we have the words of
John the Baptist in Luke
3:10-14 (tax collectors and soldiers). They must not use the
power of their position for deception or extortion.]
Many
[redacted][people] consider themselves "globalists"
who envision a utopian world order where there are no borders between
countries at all. Their fantasy will simply never be realized, and
their basic premise (that man is inherently good and perfectible on
his own) is the opposite of the Biblical truth that man is fallen and
in need of redemption that is available only through salvation in
Jesus Christ.
[This paragraph
is straight out of young-earth creationism and has nothing to do with
treating strangers like you would treat Jesus.]
The Bible speaks
favorably and consistently about distinct nations of people (see,
e.g., Gen. 18:18, Num. 32:17, Psalm 67:2, Matt. 28:19, Rev. 5:9, 7:9,
NIV), and about borders and walls that are built to guard and secure
people, property, and jurisdictions (see, e.g., Deut. 19:14, 27:17,
32:8, Acts 17:26, NIV). When Nehemiah heroically led the Jewish
remnant to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem after their enemies had
destroyed those walls, he was doing the noble work of God (Neh. 1-6,
NIV).
[Most of the
verses cited by Michael Johnson simply refer to nations by their
geographic location or ethnicity. The Israelites are instructed to
respect administrative and property boundaries. The walls of a
city are built to protect the inhabitants from military invasion by
an armed force, not to keep out refugees seeking food and safety.]
Maintaining a secure
border is not an offensive measure, but a wise, defensive one to
prevent chaos and safeguard innocent life. As Rev. Franklin Graham
once summarized, "Why do you lock your doors at night? Not
because you hate the people on the outside, but because you love the
people on the inside so much."
[Clever sayings
like this one from Franklin Graham sound nice, but they
are not Biblical unless they refer to a specific book, chapter, and
verse of the Bible. Graham's summary here is anti-Biblical because it
appeals to fear. Recall that when the Angel Gabriel appears to
Zechariah and Mary in the New Testament, his first words are "Do
not be afraid." (Luke
1:13, 30)]
[redacted]
[redacted]
[redacted]
Due in large part to our Judeo-Christian foundations and the deep religious heritage we enjoy in this country, America is the most benevolent nation in the world—by far. However, we cannot maintain that strength and generosity if we surrender our own safety and sovereignty. Preserving law and order and securing our borders should not be partisan issues, but matters of common sense. These are certainly responsibilities fully authorized by the Bible—and expected of us by God. [Mike Johnson supplies no Bible verses here in support of his reasoning. Beware of theological arguments that are not based on book, chapter, and verse. Several of the Beatitudes are contrary to "common sense" (Matthew 5:2–12)]
Any time [redacted][people] attempt to bolster their "open borders" agenda by citing Scripture out of context, they should be kindly corrected with the facts (2 Tim. 2:24-25). Christians are called to love unconditionally, serve selflessly, and defend the defenseless. We are also called to stand for, and work to ensure, just government. Justice and mercy are not mutually exclusive pursuits. To the contrary, God specifically requires His people to practice both (Micah 6:8). [redacted] supporting a strong national border is a very Christian thing to do. The Bible tells us so. [In this essay I am correcting House Speaker Michael Johnson with the Biblical facts. None of the Bible verses that Johnson cited support a "strong national border" to keep refugees and immigrants out.]
1:02 PM · Feb 3, 2026
Do not listen to US House Speaker Michael Johnson. Here is the meaning of "The Final Judgment" in Matthew 25: 31-46. Whenever you see a stranger in need – or a neighbor in trouble! – consider that Jesus Himself is standing before you. Treat that person as you would treat Jesus Christ. God Almighty does not care what clothes or what uniform you are wearing, whether you have a badge, or if you are acting in some official capacity or not. Treat the stranger and your neighbor as if they were Jesus in disguise. Your actions will separate you into the goats or the sheep; either into eternal punishment, or the righteous into eternal life.
Consider this final thought experiment:
Some ICE Agent breaks Jesus' driver-side window
with a sledgehammer, drags Him out of the car, throws Him onto the
street face down, zip-ties His wrists, and then carts Him off to one
of the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) detention centers. How
do you think it will go when that ICE Agent appears at the Final
Judgment and stands before the Son of Man (Jesus)? How do you think
it will go for the US Speaker of the House at the Final Judgment,
knowing that Michael Johnson told the ICE Agent that it was okay to
treat Jesus Christ that way? To "bear the sword"?
Posted: February 23, 2026
Updated: February 28, 2026
Author: Copyright 2026 by Carl Drews.