Chapter

Matthew 22:13

ESV Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
NIV "Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
NASB Then the king said to the servants, ‘Tie his hands and feet, and throw him into the outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth in that place.’
CSB "Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him up hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
NLT Then the king said to his aides, ‘Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
KJV 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.
NKJV Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

What does Matthew 22:13 mean?

The concept of being hurled into "outer darkness," along with "weeping and gnashing of teeth," is a common expression used by Jesus to describe God's eternal judgment (Matthew 8:12; 13:42, 50; 24:51; 25:30). In the context of this parable (Matthew 22:1–12), this is the fate of a man who attempted to attend the wedding feast without a wedding garment. There are many debates over what—if anything—the wedding garment is meant to symbolize. In some way, however, this man represents those who believe they will be able to enter the kingdom of heaven without meeting God's standard.

The New Testament teaches that God's standard for entrance into His presence is perfect righteousness (Matthew 5:48; 19:17), and that no human being other than Jesus has ever achieved this (Hebrews 4:15). Only those who come to God covered by the righteousness of Jesus, through faith in Him, will receive God's gracious welcome into eternity (Romans 3:21–31; 4:22–25). For this reason, some commentators suggest the wedding garment represents the righteousness of the Son who is loved by the King (Isaiah 61:10).
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