[
Replying to post 190 by otseng]
TEETH GNASHING: FOR THE LIVING OR FOR THE DEAD?
Favoured passages of those that wish to use the bible to support the teaching of eternal torture of the dead, are Jesus references to "weeping and gnashing of teeth". The phrase "weeping/wailing and gnashing of teeth" occurs 7 times in the Christian Greek scriptures. 6 times in Matthew and 1 time in Luke. Does the context of any of these occurance impose or even imply that this occurs after death in SHEOL (the common grave of mankind)? In short did Jesus ever say the dead will "gnash their teeth"?
Let's look at the 7 instances Jesus used the expression and see what conclusions can reasonably be drawn. Firstly, what are the commonalities?
- All the Jesus uses of this expression are done within the context of illustrations and none arise from a discussion of the condition of the dead. In Matthew 8, Jesus is commending a gentile for his faith and lamenting on his fellow Israelites lack of faith, and in chapter 13 he's discussing the work of preaching the God's kingdom message (while alive on earth). In Matthew 22 he is dealing with the invitation God extends to be in the kingdom and in 25nthe commission to work hard for kingdom interests before his (Christ's) return for inspection
While they are all connected in some way with judgment and subsequent punishment, none indicate that punishment is execution, indeed the word, death or killed is never mentioned in connection with "gnashing of teeth", they are all however RELATED to a person's reaction to witnessing his lost privileges going to others. That reaction being anger, regret and frustration.
.
One other common factor in all the occurrences relate to sorting out and dismissjng those not meeting a required standard.
In short the "weeping and gnashing of teeth" is a reaction, not to being subjected to some physical punishment, but rather a reaction to being rejected.
- In Matthew 8:12 and Luke 13:28 Jesus in figurative language contrasts an invitation to recline at the (heavenly) "table of Abraham" with "outer darkness" where there is "weeping and gnashing of teeth".
- In Matthew 13:42 , 50 Jesus is giving an illustrations likening the wicked to weeds (42) and bad fish (50). that are rejected and thrown into a firey furnace where there is "weeping and gnashing of teeth". While the righteous "shine" or are collected together in reciprocals.
- Matthew 22:13 is the illustration of the Wedding feast where those not suitably dressed are thrown out of the reception.
-Matthew 24 and 25 Jesus gives illustrations contrasting good slaves with bad. Hardworking slaves are given further funds (talents) to trade with, while a "lazy slave" loses those he had and is thrown out of the house (Matthew 25:30 ). An "evil slave" who mistreat his fellow slaves is punished with being assigned a place with hypocrite ( Matthew 24:51.
Could it not be that Jesus was commenting, not on what will be done to the wicked after they die but rather how they will feel being exposed as feuds and hypocrite while they are alive ?
A SIGN OF FRUSTRATION AND ANGER OR A REATION TO BEING PHYSICALLY TORTURED?
- Note some bible commentaries on the expression:
Indeed discerning readers will ask themselves if annoyance even rage is a natural reaction while being subjected to unspeakable torture.
ALWAYS USED TO REPRESENT THE FEELINGS OF THE LIVING
Jesus would have been familiar with the Hebrew usage of this expression. Note that in the Hebrew bible "gnashing teeth" is
never used to describe the actions if the dead or indeed to describe abject agony as a result of being subject to some kind of physical torture.
[Psa 35:16 KJV] 16 With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.
[Psa 35:16 AMP] Like godless jesters at a feast, They gnashed at me with their teeth [in malice].
Note how Christian bible writers used the expression; it is the individual gnashing their teeth that is furious, angry, hurt (not hurt in regretful repentance but deeply affected) and frustrated.
[Act 7:54 NIV] When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and
gnashed their teeth at him
The newly organized Christians were announcing to the world that the religious leaders they were not God's people any more. The reaction of being thus accused was anger was so profound they were described as grinding or gnashing their teeth, not because the Christians were beating them, hurting them physically or inflicting any physical punishment but
because they did not like what they were hearing. their pain was entirely emotional and none of them were dead at the time.
CONCLUSION "Weeping and gnashing of teeth" is not biblically linked to some kind of "afterlife" of unfathomable physical agony, but is traditionally used to describe the feelings of anger and frustration while very much alive. In this light and given that Jesus never explicitly linked the expression to dead people, it seems reasonable to conclude he was describing the reaction of wicked people (while alive in this physical world) to being rejected and judged as unworthy to some kind of reward or privilege. Indeed in this light the parable of the rich man and Lazarus might well be better understood.
JEHOVAH'S WITNESS
RELATED POSTS:
Poetry, Allegory & Symbolism
