Luke 13:28

There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you [yourselves] thrust out.

There {G1563} shall be {G2071} weeping {G2805} and {G2532} gnashing {G1030} of teeth {G3599}, when {G3752} ye shall see {G3700} Abraham {G11}, and {G2532} Isaac {G2464}, and {G2532} Jacob {G2384}, and {G2532} all {G3956} the prophets {G4396}, in {G1722} the kingdom {G932} of God {G2316}, and {G1161} you {G5209} yourselves thrust {G1544} out {G1854}.

You will cry and grind your teeth when you see Avraham, Yitz’chak, Ya‘akov and all the prophets inside the Kingdom of God, but yourselves thrown outside.

There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves are thrown out.

There shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and yourselves cast forth without.

Commentary

Luke 13:28 presents a solemn and vivid warning from Jesus, emphasizing the ultimate separation between those who enter God's kingdom and those who are excluded. This verse paints a stark picture of intense regret and despair for those who find themselves on the outside, while revered figures like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the prophets are securely within.

Context of Luke 13:28

This verse is part of Jesus' teaching on the "narrow gate" (Luke 13:24). A person asks Jesus if only a few will be saved, to which Jesus responds with a call to strenuous effort to enter the Kingdom of God. He warns against complacency, describing a time when many will try to enter but be unable. Luke 13:28 serves as the climax of this warning, illustrating the painful reality of being shut out after the door is closed. This passage parallels themes found in Matthew 7:13-14 and Matthew 8:11-12, where Gentiles from afar will join the patriarchs in the kingdom, while "children of the kingdom" are cast out.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Exclusion and Regret: The core message is the irreversible exclusion from God's presence and blessing. The phrase "thrust out" signifies a forceful and permanent removal, leading to profound sorrow.
  • Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth: This vivid imagery, found frequently in Jesus' parables (e.g., Matthew 8:12, Matthew 22:13), symbolizes intense anguish, bitter remorse, and hopeless despair. It describes the physical and emotional agony of those facing eternal judgment.
  • The Privileged Within: The mention of "Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets" highlights that salvation is not based on ethnic lineage or religious heritage alone, but on genuine faith and obedience. These patriarchs and prophets represent those who faithfully lived in anticipation of God's Kingdom.
  • Divine Justice and Warning: The verse serves as a sober warning about the consequences of neglecting God's call to repentance and faith. It underscores the reality of a future judgment where spiritual standing, not outward association, determines one's eternal destiny.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "weeping and gnashing of teeth" translates the Greek klauthmos kai brugmos odonton. Klauthmos refers to loud crying or wailing, expressing deep grief. Brugmos odonton literally means "grinding of teeth," often indicative of extreme pain, rage, or despair. This combination powerfully conveys the utter misery and frustration of those who realize too late what they have lost.

The "kingdom of God" (Greek: basileia tou theou) refers to God's sovereign rule, which is both present in Jesus' ministry and future in its full consummation. Being "in the kingdom of God" means participating in God's divine reign and enjoying His blessings.

Practical Application

Luke 13:28 urges immediate and serious reflection on one's spiritual condition. It challenges any presumption of salvation based on cultural background, religious affiliation, or mere knowledge of God's ways. The call to enter through the "narrow gate" implies an active, diligent pursuit of righteousness and a genuine commitment to following Jesus. This verse reminds us that true faith leads to transformation and obedience, preparing us for eternal life in God's presence, rather than facing the painful reality of being "thrust out." It serves as a powerful motivation for repentance and to believe in Jesus Christ for salvation.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 8:11

    And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

  • Matthew 8:12

    But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

  • Matthew 25:30

    And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

  • Matthew 22:13

    Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast [him] into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:5

    ¶ [Which is] a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

  • Revelation 21:8

    But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

  • Revelation 22:15

    For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
← Back