Matthew 13:42
And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
βαλοῦσιν
shall cast
G906
βαλοῦσιν
shall cast
Strong's:
G906
Word #:
2 of 17
to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)
αὐτοὺς
them
G846
αὐτοὺς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 17
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
4 of 17
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πυρός·
of fire
G4442
πυρός·
of fire
Strong's:
G4442
Word #:
8 of 17
"fire" (literally or figuratively, specially, lightning)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Matthew 13:50And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.Matthew 8:12But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.Revelation 20:10And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.Revelation 14:10The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:Revelation 19:20And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.Matthew 22:13Then 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.Matthew 25:41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:Daniel 3:6And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
Historical Context
Jesus's teaching on hell is more explicit than any Old Testament text. Writing around AD 60-70, Matthew preserves Jesus's warnings for the early church facing persecution—the martyrs' faithfulness is vindicated by the reality of divine justice. Modern Christianity often minimizes hell, but Jesus spoke of it repeatedly and unflinchingly.
Questions for Reflection
- How should the reality of eternal conscious punishment shape your evangelism, parenting, and pastoral care?
- What does the 'gnashing of teeth' (rage) reveal about the impenitent human heart even under judgment?
- Can you maintain Jesus's balance—warning of hell without legalism, offering grace without presumption?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And shall cast them into a furnace of fire (κάμινον τοῦ πυρός, kaminon tou pyros)—the same phrase used in Daniel 3:6 LXX for Nebuchadnezzar's furnace, here denoting hell's conscious torment. There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth (ὁ κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὁ βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων, ho klauthmos kai ho brygmos tōn odontōn)—a repeated phrase in Matthew (8:12, 13:50, 22:13, 24:51, 25:30) depicting extreme anguish and furious regret.
The definite article ('the furnace') suggests a specific, prepared place of punishment (Matthew 25:41—'everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels'). The combination of weeping (grief) and teeth-gnashing (rage) indicates both sorrow over loss and anger at judgment. This is not annihilation or soul-sleep but conscious, eternal punishment—the most sobering reality in Scripture.