Matthew 13 50

Matthew 13:50 kjv

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

Matthew 13:50 nkjv

and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."

Matthew 13:50 niv

and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 13:50 esv

and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 13:50 nlt

throwing the wicked into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 13 verses

Matthew 13 50 Meaning

Matthew 13:50 describes the inescapable and grievous outcome for those who are determined to be unrighteous at the final judgment. It depicts them being cast into a place of extreme anguish and regret, signifying complete and irreversible separation from God's presence and kingdom.

Matthew 13 50 Context

Matthew 13:50 concludes Jesus's Parable of the Net (Mt 13:47-50), which serves as the final parable in a series teaching about the Kingdom of Heaven. This parable vividly illustrates the spiritual sifting and separation that will occur at the "end of the age." Just as fishermen sort good fish from bad after hauling in a net, so too will angels separate the righteous from the wicked within humanity. The parable directly parallels the earlier Parable of the Weeds (Mt 13:24-30), both of which emphasize a period of coexistence followed by a definitive, divine judgment. The verse's severity underscores the crucial nature of responding rightly to the message of the Kingdom, serving as a solemn warning against spiritual complacency or hypocrisy. Historically and culturally, the image of a "fiery furnace" resonated deeply with Jewish audiences, reminiscent of purification (e.g., Dan 3) or destruction (e.g., Is 33:14, Mal 4:1), symbolizing ultimate retribution and exclusion for those found wanting.

Matthew 13 50 Word analysis

• And (καί - kai): A conjunction that simply connects this action to the previous statement in the parable, linking the gathering of the wicked with their ultimate destination.

• Throw (βαλοῦσιν - balousin): The future active indicative of ballō ("to cast," "to throw"). This verb denotes a decisive, forceful, and intentional act of disposal or casting out. It emphasizes the power and finality of the judgment, leaving no room for escape.

• Them (αὐτούς - autous): Refers directly to "the wicked" (τοὺς πονηρούς - tous ponērous) or "all causes of sin and all evildoers" (πάντα τὰ σκάνδαλα καὶ τοὺς ποιοῦντας τὴν ἀνομίαν - panta ta skandala kai tous poiountas tēn anomian) mentioned in Mt 13:41, distinguishing those destined for judgment from the righteous.

• Into (εἰς - eis): A preposition indicating motion toward and entrance into, clearly signifying their destination and immersion in the environment described.

• The fiery (τὴν κάμινον - tēn kaminon): The definite article with the noun kaminos ("furnace," "oven"). Kaminos specifically refers to a brick oven or furnace, typically used for smelting metals or firing pottery. Its inclusion here, combined with "fiery," implies intense heat, destructive power, and refining. It evokes the Septuagint's use for severe judgment (e.g., Dan 3:6, 17, 19) and the "furnace of affliction" (Deut 4:20).

• Furnace (τὴν κάμινον - tēn kaminon): The repetition of kaminos (implicitly, "into the fiery furnace") in the phrase tēn kaminon tou pyros reinforces the terrifying nature of the destination, highlighting its characteristics as a place of consuming fire and total destruction for its contents.

• Where (ἐκεῖ - ekei): An adverb of place, pointing to the location itself. It indicates that the conditions described will specifically characterize that "fiery furnace."

• There will be (ἔσται - estai): The future indicative of eimi ("to be"). It signifies an undeniable future reality and a certain, established state of being within that place.

• Weeping (ὁ κλαυθμὸς - ho klauthmos): A strong noun denoting loud and passionate lamentation, expressing extreme sorrow, grief, anguish, and deep distress. It conveys the immense psychological suffering experienced.

• And (καὶ - kai): Conjunction connecting two concurrent states of suffering.

• Gnashing (ὁ βρυγμὸς - ho brygmos): The noun brygmos refers to the grinding or rubbing of teeth. This imagery strongly suggests intense pain, extreme agony, despair, rage, or furious resentment, often associated with a final, irreversible recognition of loss and regret.

• Of teeth (τῶν ὀδόντων - tōn odontōn): The plural genitive form, explicitly clarifying what is being gnashed.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Throw them into the fiery furnace": This phrase emphasizes the decisive action of divine judgment, not merely sending someone away, but a forceful, irreversible casting into a place designed for consuming heat and punishment. It signifies total, inescapable separation and the absolute end of their status within the kingdom.
  • "Where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth": This oft-repeated phrase in Matthew's Gospel serves as a formulaic description of ultimate despair and anguish in eternal judgment. "Weeping" signifies intense sorrow and mourning for lost opportunity and consequence. "Gnashing of teeth" powerfully conveys frustrated rage, physical agony, or hopeless remorse, acknowledging the reality of their irreversible condemnation. Together, these two elements vividly portray the psychological and existential horror of being outside of God's grace and kingdom.

Matthew 13 50 Bonus section

The imagery of a "fiery furnace" and the separation of people into distinct eternal destinies echoes strongly from the Old Testament. The prophet Daniel describes those who do wickedly being cast into a fiery furnace (Dan 3:6), and ultimately, those who sleep in the dust awaking "some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt" (Dan 12:2). This deep biblical continuity illustrates that divine judgment and the concept of an irreversible separation between the righteous and unrighteous are not new concepts introduced by Jesus but are consistent themes throughout God's revelation. Matthew's frequent use of "weeping and gnashing of teeth" as a judicial expression—occurring six times in his Gospel compared to only once in Luke and never in Mark or John—emphasizes the importance he places on the final outcome for those outside the kingdom. This phrase succinctly encapsulates both intense suffering and utter despair, serving as a powerful and consistent motif in Matthew's eschatological discourse, particularly within his parables concerning judgment and readiness for the kingdom.

Matthew 13 50 Commentary

Matthew 13:50 offers a stark warning and a critical glimpse into the ultimate consequence of unrighteousness at the culmination of the present age. It is the definitive concluding statement to the Parable of the Net, sealing the fate of the "bad fish" or "evildoers." The image of the "fiery furnace" (τὴν κάμινον τοῦ πυρός) is not primarily a literal meteorological description but a powerful symbol for a state of intense, consuming, and inescapable suffering. This imagery consistently appears in other eschatological passages, signifying complete destruction for the wicked and definitive separation from the righteous. The double description of "weeping and gnashing of teeth" (ὁ κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὁ βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων) highlights the internal and external anguish: intense sorrow, bitter regret, self-condemnation, and helpless rage at the reality of irreversible judgment and exclusion from God’s gracious presence. The Lord Jesus delivers this warning not to instill terror for terror's sake, but to underscore the eternal significance of one's choices in this life and the profound necessity of repentance and righteousness as evidence of true belonging to the Kingdom of Heaven. It serves as a strong impetus for self-examination and fidelity to the teachings of Christ, knowing that a definitive, inescapable sorting awaits all humanity.

For practical usage, this verse strongly impresses upon believers the urgency of evangelism, sharing the hope found in Christ's kingdom, and also the imperative for personal holiness. It highlights that the choice to follow Christ and live righteously is not a casual decision but one with eternal ramifications. For instance, consider one who consistently ignores spiritual truths, valuing only earthly pleasures. This verse would prompt them to re-evaluate their priorities, considering the ultimate destiny of all humanity.