Matthew 25:30

Matthew 25:30

And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

a. NLT: Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

b. ASV: And cast ye out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. [Thomas Nelson & Sons first published the American Standard Version in 1901. This translation of the Bible is in the public domain.]

c. YLT: And the unprofitable servant cast ye forth to the outer darkness; there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of the teeth. [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

d. Classic Amplified: And throw the good-for-nothing servant into the outer darkness; there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

1. “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness…”

a. And [Strong: 2532. kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. cast [ye] [Strong: 1544. ekballo ek-bal'-lo from 1537 and 906; to eject (literally or figuratively):--bring forth, cast (forth, out), drive (out), expel, leave, pluck (pull, take, thrust) out, put forth (out), send away (forth, out).]

1).  Rick renner, Sparkling Gem 6/7/2016: The word “cast” is the word ekballo, from the words ek and ballo. The word ek means out, and the word ballo means to throw. Together these words mean to expel, to throw out, to drive out, or to kick out.

c. the [Strong: 3588. [ton] ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [ton] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.]

d. unprofitable [Strong: 888. achreios akh-ri'-os from 1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of 5534 (compare 5532); useless, i.e. (euphemistically) unmeritorious:--unprofitable.]

1). Rick renner, Sparkling Gem 6/7/2016: The word “unprofitable” is the Greek word achreios, which literally means useless. A literal translation in today’s vernacular would be the good-for-nothing servant.

e. servant [Strong: 1401. doulos doo'-los from 1210; a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency):--bond(-man), servant.]

f. into [Strong: 1519. eis ice a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

g. [Strong: 3588. [to] ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [to] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.]

h. outer [Strong: 1857. exoteros ex-o'-ter-os comparative of 1854; exterior:--outer.]

1). This Greek word is used on three occasions in the New Testament.

a). Matthew 8:12  But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

b). Matthew 22:13 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.

c). Matthew 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

2). Zodhiates: Matthew 8:12; Matthew 22:13 refer to a place for unbelievers, while Matthew 25:30 may refer to a place of less reward for servants who did not use  their God-given talents.

3). Personally I reject this view. Notice they are both put in the same place and both weep and gnash their teeth.   

i. [Strong: 3588. [to] ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [to] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.]

j. darkness [Strong: 4655. skotos skot'-os from the base of 4639; shadiness, i.e. obscurity (literally or figuratively):--darkness.]

1). This Greek word is used 32 times in the New Testament. 20 times it is used of spiritual darkness: Matthew 4:16; Matthew 6:23; Luke 1:79; Luke 11:35; Luke 22:53; John 3:19; Acts 26:18; Romans 2:19; Romans 13:12; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Corinthians 4:6; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 5:8; Ephesians 5:11; Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:5; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 John 1:6.

2). 5 times is used as a location where people are put. Matthew 8:12; Matthew 22:13; Matthew 25:30; 2 Peter 2:17; Jude 1:13. 

3). 5 times it is used of physical darkness: Matthew 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44; Acts 2:20; Hebrews 12:18;

4). 1 time is used of spiritual darkness that causes physical darkness or blindness: Acts 13:11.  

2. “...there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

a. there [Strong: 1563. ekei ek-i' of uncertain affinity; there; by extension, thither:--there, thither(-ward), (to) yonder (place).]

b. shall be [Strong: 2071. esomai es'-om-ahee future of 1510; will be:--shall (should) be (have), (shall) come (to pass), X may have, X fall, what would follow, X live long, X sojourn.]

c. [Strong: 3588. [ho] ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [h o] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.]

d. weeping [Strong: 2805. klauthmos klowth-mos' from 2799; lamentation:--wailing, weeping, X wept.]

1). This Greek word is used 9 times in the New Testament. Only two times it is used for general weeping: Matthew 2:18; Acts 20:37.

2). Seven times it is used to describe a characteristic of someone suffering eternally: Matthew 8:12; Matthew 13:42 (wailing); Matthew 13:50 (wailing); Matthew 22:13; Matthew 24:51; Matthew 25:30. All wept or wailed and all gnashed their teeth. 

3). In these examples some are cast into a furnace of fire, while some are cast into outer darkness. These different descriptions do not indicate different places as they indicate different levels of punishment (Matthew 11:20-24).

e. and [Strong: 2532. kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

f. [Strong: 3588. [ho] ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [h o] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.]

g. gnashing [Strong: 1030. brugmos broog-mos' from 1031; a grating (of the teeth):--gnashing.]

g. [Strong: 3588. [ton] ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [ton] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.]

h. [of] teeth [Strong: 3599. odous od-ooce perhaps from the base of 2068; a "tooth":--tooth.]