The phrase weeping and gnashing of teeth only occurs one time in the Bible. Jesus is quoted by Matthew in chapter 8, verse 12. In this context, Jesus is talking about being thrown outside of the kingdom of God. In Luke’s gospel, he uses a similar expression to describe the suffering people will encounter in hell, Luke 13:28. The imagery of weeping and gnashing of teeth can be understood by picturing an infant.
When babies cry, their facial expressions immediately change. Some infants turn red, others shake violently and a few cry so hard they stop breathing, turning a shade of blue. When our oldest child was upset, he would cry and scream so loud our neighbors could hear him. Once a week, he would cry so hard that his face began to turn blue, unable to breathe and cry at the same time. As he slowed down, his teeth began to gnash together in between crying spurts. This is the visual I believe Matthew was trying to communicate in this passage.
Most people don’t get a second lease on life. Once they die, its permanent, your eternal destination is secured in one place or the other. After each person is judged, the finality of hell must be so overwhelming that adults revert back to their early stages of life, weeping and gnashing their teeth like an infant. Regardless of where we have been and what we have done, the only things that matters is whether or not your name in written in the book of life. Before its too late, choose life today, 1 John 5:13 by following Jesus, Matthew 16:24-26.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 