The function of "weeping and gnashing of teeth" in Matthew's gospel
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Date
2012
Authors
Erdey, Zoltan L.
Smith, Kevin G.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State
Abstract
On six occurrences (8:12; 13:42; 13:50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30), Matthew recorded
Jesus pronouncing judgment, using the idiom “weeping and gnashing of teeth”.
Each occurrence played a central role in the development of Matthew’s theology,
by communicating not only a fundamental component of the theme of judgment,
but also an increasing force and potency of the event itself. It was discovered that
the phrase may have four possible functions, namely (a) a system by which Matthew
hoped to make the message of the particular passage unforgettable; (b) a prophetic
anticipation of an aspect of the larger shape of history; (c) a linguistic device to
increase the degree of emphasis or heighten the force given to the message of
eschatological judgment; and (d) a literary connector holding together a number of
specific passages of Scripture. In Matthew’s case, the phrase glues together the
passages that communicate a holistic theology of end-of-time judgment.
Description
Keywords
Judgment, Eschatology, Gnashing of teeth, Weeping
Citation
Erdey, Z. L., & Smith, K. G. (2012). The function of "weeping and gnashing of teeth" in Matthew's gospel. Acta Theologica, 32(1), 26-45.