You’ve probably heard the phrase “gnashing of teeth” before, especially if you grew up going to church.
It’s one of those scary biblical phrases that gets tossed around a lot, usually when someone is talking about hell and judgment.
But have you ever really stopped to think about what gnashing of teeth actually means? Is it just a metaphor, or did Jesus literally mean that there would be tooth grinding in the afterlife? In this article, we’ll take a close look at every time gnashing of teeth shows up in the Bible.
We’ll study the original Greek words, look at some historical context, and try to get to the bottom of why this odd phrase shows up over and over.
You may be surprised to find out that gnashing isn’t just about anger, but can also signal deep regret.
Ready to dig into a quirky biblical phrase and walk away with a better understanding of Scripture? Let’s get started!
What Is Gnashing of Teeth in the Bible?
Gnashing of teeth refers to extreme anguish, pain, and suffering.
In the Bible, it’s used to describe the torment of those condemned to hell.
Wailing and Grinding
The Bible often combines gnashing of teeth with wailing, which means crying out loudly in grief or anguish.
Together, gnashing and wailing paint a vivid picture of eternal suffering and regret.
Examples in Scripture
The Gospels frequently use gnashing of teeth to describe the fate of the wicked.
For example, in Matthew 13:42, Jesus says that at the end of the age, “The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.
They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
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In Matthew 22:13, Jesus tells a parable about a man ejected from a wedding feast for lacking proper clothes, “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.’”
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Matthew 24:51 and 25:30 also use gnashing of teeth to represent the final judgement of evildoers.
A Stark Warning
The Bible uses strong and frightening language to convey the severity of God’s judgement.
References to gnashing of teeth, outer darkness, furnaces of fire, and eternal torment are meant as warnings to heed God’s word and repent.
They show that while God is merciful and loving, he is also just.
For those who reject him and rebel against his will, a fearful destiny awaits.
Though disturbing, these dire warnings remind us of the importance of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
By accepting his sacrifice, we can escape the anguish of gnashing teeth and enjoy eternal life in God’s kingdom.
Where Gnashing of Teeth Is Mentioned in Scripture
The Bible refers to “gnashing of teeth” several times, indicating a sense of anguish, regret, and sorrow.
In Matthew, Jesus speaks of those who will be cast into the “outer darkness” where there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:12, 22:13, 25:30).
This is a metaphorical expression conveying the deep anguish of those who reject the gospel and face eternal separation from God.
The book of Acts describes Stephen’s vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God just before his martyrdom by stoning.
Stephen tells the Sanhedrin – “Look, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this, they covered their ears, yelled at the top of their voices, and rushed together at him.
Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him.
The witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.
While they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
(Acts 7:55-60)
In Psalms, the author writes of the wicked who plot against the just, saying “He gnashes at me with his teeth; my enemy glares at me.” (Psalm 35:16, 37:12).
This conveys a sense of hostility, malice and rage directed at the righteous.
The gnashing of teeth, then, signifies an intense loathing, wrath and anguish directed either at others or at oneself in remorse and regret.
For the wicked, it reflects their hostility and torment at their damnation.
For believers, it serves as a sobering reminder of the fate of those who reject God and the need to spread the good news of salvation.
Interpretations of Gnashing of Teeth as Divine Judgment
The Bible refers to “gnashing of teeth” as a metaphorical expression of anguish and regret.
In the New Testament, it is used exclusively to portray the judgment of God.
The gnashing of teeth signifies the reaction of people who realize, too late, that they have rejected God and His grace.
Punishment in Hell
Many Christians believe the gnashing of teeth refers to the eternal punishment of the wicked in hell.
They point to verses like Matthew 13:42 that speak of “weeping and gnashing of teeth” in the furnace of fire.
In this view, the gnashing of teeth is a physical act representing the unimaginable anguish of eternal damnation.
The punishment is in response to a lifetime of rejecting God and all He offers.
Anguish Over Lost Opportunity
Others see the gnashing of teeth as symbolic of the deep anguish that comes from realizing you’ve missed out on God’s blessings and salvation.
The Bible portrays God’s Kingdom as a wedding feast, but some ignore the invitation or refuse to attend.
In Matthew 22:13, the king (representing God) sees a man without wedding clothes (representing righteousness) and has him bound and cast “into outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.” The gnashing of teeth signifies sorrow over what could have been.
God’s Final Judgment of All People
Still other interpretations see the gnashing of teeth as a symbolic representation of God’s final judgment of all people.
At the end of time, there will be a separation of the wicked and the righteous.
The wicked will weep and gnash their teeth in sorrow and regret when they realize their fate is eternal separation from God.
The righteous, on the other hand, will enter into the joy of their master (Matthew 25:21).
The gnashing of teeth is a sobering depiction of God’s perfect justice and judgment at the end of the age.
In the end, the precise meaning of gnashing of teeth is debated, but its sobering implications are clear.
It is a stark reminder that we must accept God’s invitation of salvation before it’s too late.
The day is coming when each will stand before God, and there will be no second chances.
Alternative Views: Gnashing of Teeth as Regret or Grief
Some Bible scholars argue that “gnashing of teeth” refers not to anger or frustration, but deep regret, sorrow, or mourning.
In this view, the gnashing represents anguish over past mistakes and lost opportunities.
Regret Over Missed Chances
Imagine standing outside the banquet hall, hearing the sounds of joyful celebration within but being shut out.
In that moment, you may gnash your teeth in regret for the unkind words you said, the selfish acts you committed, and the chances you missed to make things right.
The Bible often uses banquet imagery to represent salvation and eternal life.
To be left outside, gnashing your teeth in the darkness, signifies the ache of realizing too late the gravity of your sins and the gift you rejected.
As Jesus says, “there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out.” (Luke 13:28).
Grief Over Loss
In some ancient cultures, gnashing or grinding of the teeth was a visible display of grief, anguish or mourning.
We still see vestiges of this in some mourning rituals today.
The gnashing, then, could represent the deep sorrow of those who find themselves excluded from the kingdom—not anger at being refused entry, but grief over the loss of what could have been.
Viewed this way, the gnashing suggests not rage but heartbreak.
And on the other side of the door, there are not vindictive celestials rejoicing at your rejection, but rather a welcoming party grieved that you did not join them.
The door was open all along, but you never came in.
While the traditional view of “gnashing of teeth” as conveyor of wrath and judgment still holds strong, these alternative perspectives offer a thought-provoking glimpse into the deep layers of meaning that may underlie these biblical passages.
The gnashing, in the end, may point not to God’s anger, but to our own anguish over the unnecessay distance we have put between ourselves and Love.
Gnashing of Teeth FAQs: Common Questions About the Biblical Meaning
What exactly is gnashing of teeth?
Gnashing of teeth refers to extreme anguish, remorse, or distress.
In the Bible, it’s used to describe the anguish of those excluded from heaven.
The phrase comes from the image of someone clenching and grinding their teeth in pain or anger.
Where is gnashing of teeth mentioned in the Bible?
The phrase appears several times in the New Testament, often in reference to those who will be excluded from the kingdom of heaven.
For example, in Matthew 8:12 Jesus says, “But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Similar verses can be found in Matthew 13:42, 50; 22:13; 24:51; and Luke 13:28.
What does gnashing of teeth symbolize?
In these biblical contexts, gnashing of teeth symbolizes the extreme anguish, regret, and distress of those who are excluded from salvation and heaven.
It highlights the suffering of those who did not accept Jesus and His message while they lived on earth.
It’s a sobering image of the deep sorrow that will come to those who reject God.
Why is this phrase used in the Bible?
The biblical authors used this striking phrase to convey a dire warning to readers about the importance of faith and obedience.
The image of gnashing of teeth in anguish underscores the eternal consequences of sin and rejection of the Gospel.
It’s a sobering reminder for Christians to share the Gospel with urgency.
How is gnashing of teeth interpreted today?
Today, the phrase “gnashing of teeth” is used more broadly to refer to feelings of extreme anguish, anger, regret or frustration.
While the biblical meaning refers specifically to anguish of the faithless after death, the more general usage refers to any situation where people feel they have seriously erred or missed out in some way.
The enduring power of this Biblical metaphor in our language today shows how influential and pervasive the imagery of Scripture can be.
