Matthew 8:12

In the original Greek according to Westcott-Hort this verse is:

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."

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 all Jews will 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]