Saying 6 of 10
Outer darkness, weeping and gnashing of teeth
Several times Jesus described judgment as being thrown out into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth: shut out from the joy of His kingdom.
What Jesus said
The picture is of a lit banquet hall with the door closed and someone outside in the dark. Jesus used it in the parable of the talents, in the parable of the wedding feast, and when He spoke about many coming from east and west to sit at the table in the kingdom.
30Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Matthew 25:30 (WEB) · context
13Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and throw him into the outer darkness. That is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be.’
Matthew 22:13 (WEB) · context
11I tell you that many will come from the east and the west, and will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven, 12but the children of the Kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Matthew 8:11-12 (WEB) · context
The invitation
The same parables are invitations. In Luke the master sends his servant out to the roads and lanes to bring people in, so that his house may be full. The door is open today.
21“That servant came, and told his lord these things. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor, maimed, blind, and lame.’ 22“The servant said, ‘Lord, it is done as you commanded, and there is still room.’ 23“The lord said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
Luke 14:21-23 (WEB) · context
9I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out and will find pasture.
John 10:9 (WEB) · context
The good news
Jesus came to save you from this
God loves you and gave His Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish.