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 anticipationof 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.

Highlights

  • Matthean scholars recognize the emphasis that Matthew placed on the themes of eschatology and judgment (Streeter 1942; Bornkamm 1963; Marguerat 1981 [in Sim 2005:6-9]; Cope 1989; Stanton 1993; Hagner 1993a; Guthrie 1996; Balabanski 1997; Mitchell 1998; Keener 1999; Nolland 2005; Sim 2005)

  • We hope to answer two key questions, namely (a) what is the particular function of the phrase weeping and gnashing of teeth in Matthew’s Gospel and theology is and (b) what the nature of the contribution the expression makes to the theology of judgment in the gospel is

  • The phrase ὁ κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὁ βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων is salient in Matthew’s Gospel, for it communicates many of the central messages pertaining to the theme of apocalyptic judgment

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Summary

INTRODUCTION

It stands to reason that Matthew carefully constructed his writing on both macro and micro levels. This consideration makes it likely that the writer was attempting to communicate something through his repeated use of the phrase weeping and gnashing of teeth, and to have a precise purpose(s) as well as a specific function(s). We hope to answer two key questions, namely (a) what is the particular function of the phrase weeping and gnashing of teeth in Matthew’s Gospel and theology is and (b) what the nature of the contribution the expression makes to the theology of judgment in the gospel is

THE THEME OF JUDGMENT IN MATTHEW
The prominence of the judgment imperative
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN JUDGMENT AND “WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH”
A mnemonic device
Prophetic anticipation
A thematic intensifying device
A literary connector
CONCLUSION
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