Matthew 8:12
Matthew 8:12 | |
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← 8:11 8:13 → | |
Book | Gospel of Matthew |
Christian Bible part | New Testament |
Matthew 8:12 is the twelfth verse of the eighth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament. This verse is part of the conclusion to the miracle story of healing the centurion's servant, the second of a series of miracles in Matthew. This verse warns that many Jews are lacking in faith after praising the Gentile Centurion in the previous verse for his.
Content
In the original Greek according to
- οι δε υιοι της βασιλειας εκβληθησονται εις το σκοτος το
- εξωτερον εκει εσται ο κλαυθμος και ο βρυγμος των οδοντων
In the King James Version of the Bible the text reads:
- But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness.
- There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
The New International Version translates the passage as:
- But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the
- darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Analysis
The previous verse describes the faithful being invited to a great banquet. This verse outlines the fate of those who are not invited. They are to be outside the place of celebration in a place of darkness and misery. The phrase weeping and gnashing of teeth makes its first appearance in this verse. It recurs four other times in Matthew and also appears in Luke 13:28. It remains a standard English expression for sorrow and torment. The place of punishment being one of darkness was a standard depiction in both Jewish and Christian writings of this period.[1]
Sons of the kingdom is a reference to the Jewish people. This verse was commonly read to imply that many Jews would be excluded from salvation. Davies and Allison argue against this, noting that the text can be equally read as all or some of the subjects of the Kingdom and there are many depictions later in the Gospel of Jews accepting Jesus.[1] This was a radical statement as it was believed that the sons of the kingdom, as the heirs of Abraham could not be excluded, but here Jesus is saying that salvation does not come via race or descent.[2]
Commentary from the Church Fathers
Jerome: Or the Jews may be called the children of the kingdom, because God reigned among them heretofore.[3]
Jerome: It is called outer darkness, because he whom the Lord casts out leaves the light.[3]
Haymo of Halberstadt: What they should suffer there, He shows when He adds, There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Thus in metaphor He describes the sufferings of the tormented limbs; the eyes shed tears when filled with smoke, and the teeth chatter together from cold. This shows that the wicked in hell shall endure both extreme cold and extreme heat: according to that in Job, They shall pass from rivers of snow to the scorching heat. (Job 24:19.)[3]
Jerome: Weeping and gnashing of teeth are a proof of bones and body; truly then is there a resurrection of the same limbs, that sank into the grave.[3]
Rabanus Maurus: Or; The gnashing of teeth expresses the passion of remorse; repentance coming too late and self-accusation that he has sinned with such obstinate wickedness.[3]
Remigius: Otherwise; By outer darkness, He means foreign nations; for these words of the Lord are a historical prediction of the destruction of the Jews, that they were to be led into captivity for their unbelief, and to be scattered over the earth; for tears are usually caused by heat, gnashing of teeth by cold. Weeping then is ascribed to those who should be dispersed into the warmer climates of India and Ethiopia, gnashing of teeth to those who should dwell in the colder regions, as Hyrcania and Seythia.[3]
References
- ^ Dale C. Allison(Jr.) (1988). Matthew Vol 2. Clark. p. 30-31.
- ^ France, R.T. The Gospel According to Matthew: an Introduction and Commentary. Leicester: Inter-Varsity, 1985. p. 156
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Catena Aurea: commentary on the four Gospels; collected out of the works of the Fathers. Oxford: Parker, 1874. Thomas Aquinas". This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
Preceded by Matthew 8:11 |
Gospel of Matthew Chapter 8 |
Succeeded by Matthew 8:13 |