Historical Posts

Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth

“There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

This is a phrase that describes a very unpleasant place. People who are unhappy and uncomfortable are there. Who will be there specifically and why? On five different occasions, Jesus describes different groups of people who will be in such a place as this:

Sons of the kingdom without faith
Not properly attired
Evil servants
Fearful and unprofitable
Workers of iniquity, unknown by Jesus

Let’s look at each of these in more detail so that we may not be numbered among them.

1. Sons of the kingdom without faith – Matthew 8:5-13

a. Jesus commended a centurion for his faith (Matthew 8:10).

b. Jesus said many would come in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 8:11).

c. The sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness, where there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:12). Esau was a son, but sold his birthright (Genesis 25:29-34).

2. Not properly attired – Matthew 22:1-14

a. Jesus told a parable of a king who arranged a marriage feast for his son, and sent out servants to call those invited to the wedding (Matthew 22:1-4).

b. Some were disrespectful and unwilling to come, others went about their business, and still others killed the servants (Matthew 22:3-6).

c. The king destroyed the people and the city, and sent the servants to invite others (Matthew 22:7-10).

d. A man attended without a wedding garment, showing disrespect, and was cast into outer darkness, where there were weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 22:11-13; see Revelation 19:7-9; 3:4-5; 16:15).

3. Evil Servants – Matthew 24:45-51

a. Jesus praised the servant who is faithful (Matthew 24:45-47).

b. The evil servant, who says in his heart his master is coming, will be cut in two and abide with the hypocrites; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 24:48-51).

4. Fearful and Unprofitable- Matthew 25:14-30

a. Jesus likened the kingdom of heaven to a man who distributed talents among three servants (Matthew 25:14-15).

b. The servant who received five talents made another five talents; the one who received two talents received two more. The one who received one talent went and hid it (Matthew 25:16-18).

c. The man praised the servants who doubled their talents, but cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 25:19-30).

5. Workers of iniquity who Jesus does not know – Luke 13:22-30

a. As Jesus journeyed toward Jerusalem, one asked Him if few are saved (Luke 13:22-23).

b. Jesus explained that many will seek to enter the narrow gate, but will not be able to enter (Luke 13:24).

c. Those Jesus did not know, workers of iniquity, would depart from Him, where there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Luke 13:25-28).

Who will be weeping and have gnashing of teeth? Jesus explained those that are:

Sons of the kingdom (born into the kingdom but not abiding by the king’s laws)
Individuals not properly attired (as the church is the bride of Christ)
Evil servants who delay for the master’s coming
Unprofitable servants, fearfully hiding their talent(s)
Workers of iniquity crying “Lord, Lord”

These groups will all be weeping and gnashing their teeth. However, we do not have to be among them and weep or gnash our teeth; we can rejoice forever more by doing the Lord’s will and making sure we are not in those groups! As a result we will hear, “well done good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Lord (Matthew 25:21, 23).” Have you taken the steps to abide in God’s word and use your talents for Him?