Gnashing of Teeth

2024-02-27

What is gnashing of teeth in the Bible? It is a response of great anger. “He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me” (Job 16:9). The men listening to Stephen’s speech responded this way. “When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth” (Acts 7:54). Enemies do this to their prey.

So when Jesus says there will be weeping or wailing with gnashing of teeth, there is both great despair paired with extreme ire.

Many Jewish people will react this way when they see Gentiles in the kingdom and they are not there. “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. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:11-12). And again, “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” (Luke 13:28).

People in hell will gnash with their teeth. “And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:42; cf. Matthew 13:50).

The servant who does not look for the coming of his Master will gnash with his teeth: “And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 24:51).

The servant who does not invest with what God has given him will gnash with his teeth: “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:30).

All these expected heaven with rewards and got nothing. They were angry and bawling. Pause and think about this for a moment.