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.

Then {G5119} said {G2036} the king {G935} to the servants {G1249}, Bind {G1210} him {G846} hand {G5495} and {G2532} foot {G4228}, and take {G142} him {G846} away {G142}, and {G2532} cast {G1544} him into {G1519} outer {G1857} darkness {G4655}; there {G1563} shall be {G2071} weeping {G2805} and {G2532} gnashing {G1030} of teeth {G3599}.

Then the king said to the servants, `Bind him hand and foot, and throw him outside in the dark!' In that place people will wail and grind their teeth,

Then the king told the servants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

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

Matthew 22:13 concludes the vivid Parable of the Wedding Feast, delivered by Jesus to illustrate profound truths about the Kingdom of Heaven, divine invitation, and individual accountability. This verse describes the severe judgment meted out to a guest found without a proper wedding garment, serving as a stark warning about spiritual readiness.

Context

This verse is the climax of the Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1-14). Jesus tells of a king who prepared a magnificent feast for his son's wedding. After initial invitees refused, the king sent servants to gather guests from the highways. Among those who came, one was found without a wedding garment, a customary and likely provided attire for such an event. The king's harsh command in verse 13 follows the guest's silence when questioned, highlighting a lack of preparation and respect for the host.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Accountability: The king's decisive action underscores God's ultimate authority and the certainty of judgment for those who reject His terms or fail to prepare. It emphasizes that invitations to the Kingdom come with responsibilities.
  • Spiritual Readiness and Righteousness: The "wedding garment" is widely interpreted as symbolic of the righteousness required to enter God's Kingdom. This righteousness is not self-achieved but is often understood as the righteousness of Christ, received through faith (see Philippians 3:9) or a life transformed by the Holy Spirit. Failure to wear it signifies an unwillingness to accept God's provision or submit to His ways.
  • Exclusion from God's Presence: "Outer darkness" vividly portrays separation from God, who is light. The "weeping and gnashing of teeth" (a phrase used multiple times by Jesus, e.g., in Matthew 8:12 and Matthew 25:30) speaks of intense regret, anguish, and despair for those who find themselves eternally cast out.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "outer darkness" in Greek is skotos to exōteron, emphasizing a place distinctly outside the light and warmth of the kingdom. It contrasts sharply with the joy and fellowship of the wedding feast. "Weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Greek: ho klauthmos kai ho brugmos tōn odontōn) is a powerful idiom indicating extreme distress, sorrow, and often, anger or frustration, particularly in the context of being excluded or missing out on something vital.

Practical Application

Matthew 22:13 serves as a profound call to introspection and spiritual diligence. It reminds us that while God's invitation to salvation and eternal life is broad and gracious, it requires a response of genuine faith and a life lived in accordance with His will. The "wedding garment" symbolizes the necessary spiritual transformation and acceptance of Christ's righteousness. This parable urges believers to examine their spiritual state, ensuring they are truly prepared for the Lord's coming and the ultimate judgment, not merely present by proximity or association. It highlights the importance of living a life of sincere faith and obedience, demonstrating genuine reverence for God's divine invitation.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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 13:42

    And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

  • 2 Peter 2:4

    For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast [them] down to hell, and delivered [them] into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:9

    Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

  • Matthew 24:51

    And shall cut him asunder, and appoint [him] his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

  • 2 Peter 2:17

    These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

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