Understanding What Outer Darkness Really Means
by Everest Alexander
“And I say unto you that many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matt 8:11, 12.
“And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” Matt 25:30.
In Matthew Chapter Eight, Jesus used this statement referring to faithless Jews (God’s people) in contrast to the Roman Centurion who showed great faith, thus demonstrating that likewise, Christians (God’s people) who lived faithless lives would have this judgment pronounced on them.
In Matthew Chapter Twenty-five, He made the statement after a very lengthy parable, demonstrating the difference between Christians who wisely invested their time and talents and those who didn’t.
Finally, in Chapter Twenty-two of the same Gospel, He spoke of a guest at the wedding who had no wedding garment on and for this, he was bound hand and foot taken away and cast into outer darkness.
When we examine this last scripture carefully, we get a much deeper understanding of what this “outer darkness” really means.
For instance, the word “bind” from the Greek is “deo” and means to “restrict”, the word “hand” is “cheir” and means “power” and the word “foot” is “pous” translated “footstool” representing “authority”. So, “to bind hand and foot,” means, “to restrict in power and authority.”
Not only this, but here we have a person whom the King calls “friend,” demonstrating that he has a personal relationship and fellowship with the King, but he is lacking something so important that when he’s found out, he has an extremely stiff penalty laid on him.
Now, in the Greek, the word “cast” is “ekballo” meaning “to expel,” which means “to put a person out, to dismiss permanently” e.g. A delinquent child may be expelled from school.
The word “darkness” from the Greek is “skotos” meaning “obscurity.” So, through careful interpretation, we get the picture of someone who once belonged to a special group and was promised great recognition and authority but who was permanently dismissed from that group, stripped of his power and sentenced to a life of obscurity.
This is what Matt. 22:13 is saying, “Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness;” can be interpreted as, “Restrict his ability and authority, banish him from this elite and distinguished group and sentence him to a life of obscurity.”
This, my friends, is what happens to anyone called to ministry who doesn’t fulfill that ministry according to the standard set by God. Instead of recognition and reward for the labor of love bestowed on God’s people through their ministry there’s only shame and disgrace, as they are permanently dismissed from the ranks of those who wisely invested their lives in the loving service of the people of God.
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