Darkness: "Outer Darkness"
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Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:

In biblical literature, "outer darkness" is a term used to describe a place or state of separation from God, often associated with judgment and the absence of divine presence. It is a concept that appears primarily in the New Testament, particularly in the teachings of Jesus Christ. The term is evocative of profound spiritual desolation and is frequently linked with the imagery of weeping and gnashing of teeth, symbolizing regret and anguish.

Biblical References:

The phrase "outer darkness" is notably found in the Gospel of Matthew. In Matthew 8:12 , Jesus speaks of the "sons of the kingdom" being cast into the outer darkness, where "there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." This passage is part of a broader narrative where Jesus commends the faith of a Roman centurion, contrasting it with the unbelief of many Israelites. The "sons of the kingdom" refers to those who, despite their heritage, fail to recognize and accept the Messiah.

Similarly, in Matthew 22:13 , during the Parable of the Wedding Banquet, the king instructs his servants to bind a man without wedding clothes and cast him into the outer darkness. This parable illustrates the necessity of being prepared and properly attired in righteousness to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Another reference is found in Matthew 25:30 , in the Parable of the Talents. The unprofitable servant, who fails to use his master's resources wisely, is cast into the outer darkness. This serves as a warning about the importance of faithful stewardship and the consequences of spiritual negligence.

Theological Significance:

The concept of outer darkness underscores the gravity of rejecting God's invitation and the consequences of spiritual unfaithfulness. It serves as a stark reminder of the reality of divine judgment and the separation from God's presence that results from unbelief and disobedience. The imagery of darkness contrasts with the biblical portrayal of God as light (1 John 1:5), emphasizing the absence of His presence and the resulting spiritual void.

In conservative Christian theology, outer darkness is often interpreted as a depiction of hell or eternal separation from God. It is a place devoid of hope, joy, and the light of God's love. The repeated association with "weeping and gnashing of teeth" highlights the intense sorrow and regret experienced by those who find themselves in this state.

Practical Implications:

The warnings about outer darkness serve as a call to self-examination and repentance. Believers are encouraged to live in the light of Christ, embracing faith and obedience to avoid the fate of those cast into outer darkness. It is a reminder of the importance of accepting God's grace and living a life that reflects His righteousness.

In conclusion, the biblical concept of outer darkness is a powerful metaphor for the consequences of spiritual rejection and the importance of remaining faithful to God's call. It challenges individuals to consider their spiritual condition and to seek a relationship with God that ensures eternal fellowship in His light.
Nave's Topical Index
Matthew 8:12
But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 22:13
Then 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.
Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 25:30
And cast you the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Nave's Topical Index

Greek
4653. skotia -- darkness
... darkness. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: skotia Phonetic Spelling:
(skot-ee'-ah) Short Definition: darkness Definition: darkness; fig ... darkness. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4653.htm - 6k

4655. skotos -- darkness
... darkness. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine; Noun, Neuter Transliteration: skotos
Phonetic Spelling: (skot'-os) Short Definition: darkness Definition: darkness ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4655.htm - 6k

1105. gnophos -- darkness, gloom
... darkness, gloom. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: gnophos Phonetic
Spelling: (gnof'-os) Short Definition: darkness, gloom Definition: darkness ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1105.htm - 6k

2217. zophos -- deep gloom
... deep gloom. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: zophos Phonetic Spelling:
(dzof'-os) Short Definition: darkness, murkiness Definition: darkness ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2217.htm - 7k

4652. skoteinos -- dark
... dark. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: skoteinos Phonetic Spelling:
(skot-i-nos') Short Definition: full of darkness, dark Definition: full of darkness ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4652.htm - 6k

4639. skia -- shadow
... shadow. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: skia Phonetic Spelling:
(skee'-ah) Short Definition: a shadow, thick darkness, an outline Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4639.htm - 6k

4656. skotoo -- to darken
... or met.) I darken. Cognate: 4656 -- to darken; (figuratively) to produce a of
moral, spiritual darkness (obscurity, blindness). See 4654 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4656.htm - 6k

1659. eleutheroo -- to make free, fig. to exempt (from liability)
... Cognate: 1659 -- properly, set free, release from bondage; (figuratively) to remove
the restrictions of sin (darkness) because delivered by God (growth). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1659.htm - 7k

541. apaugasma -- radiance
... His eternal light breaks through all the darkness that keeps someone in spiritual
ignorance (bondage), ie every resistance exerted by sin. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/541.htm - 7k

5461. photizo -- to shine, give light
... Cognate: 5461 (from 5457 , "light") -- properly, ; (figuratively) God sharing ,
exposing and overcoming darkness -- like the ignorance (prejudice) caused by sin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5461.htm - 8k

Strong's Hebrew
2825. chashekah -- darkness
... 2824, 2825. chashekah. 2826 . darkness. Transliteration: chashekah Phonetic
Spelling: (khash-ay-kaw') Short Definition: darkness. ... darkness. ...
/hebrew/2825.htm - 6k

2816. chashok -- darkness
... 2815, 2816. chashok. 2817 . darkness. Transliteration: chashok Phonetic
Spelling: (khash-oke') Short Definition: darkness. ... darkness. ...
/hebrew/2816.htm - 6k

652. ophel -- darkness, gloom
... 651, 652. ophel. 653 . darkness, gloom. Transliteration: ophel Phonetic Spelling:
(o'fel) Short Definition: darkness. ... darkness, obscurity, privily. ...
/hebrew/652.htm - 6k

2822. choshek -- darkness, obscurity
... 2821, 2822. choshek. 2823 . darkness, obscurity. Transliteration: choshek Phonetic
Spelling: (kho-shek') Short Definition: darkness. ... darkness, night, obscurity ...
/hebrew/2822.htm - 6k

5890. ephah -- darkness
... 5889, 5890. ephah. 5891 . darkness. Transliteration: ephah Phonetic Spelling:
(ay-faw') Short Definition: darkness. Word ... 1). darkness. ...
/hebrew/5890.htm - 6k

653. aphelah -- darkness, gloominess, calamity
... darkness, gloominess, calamity. Transliteration: aphelah Phonetic Spelling:
(af-ay-law') Short Definition: gloom. ... dark, darkness, gloominess, thick. ...
/hebrew/653.htm - 6k

3990. maaphel -- darkness
... 3989, 3990. maaphel. 3991 . darkness. Transliteration: maaphel Phonetic
Spelling: (mah-af-ale') Short Definition: darkness. Word ...
/hebrew/3990.htm - 6k

3991. maapheleyah -- deep darkness
... 3990, 3991. maapheleyah. 3992 . deep darkness. Transliteration: maapheleyah
Phonetic Spelling: (mah-af-ay-leh-yaw') Short Definition: darkness. ...
/hebrew/3991.htm - 6k

6940. qadruth -- darkness, gloom
... 6939, 6940. qadruth. 6941 . darkness, gloom. Transliteration: qadruth
Phonetic Spelling: (kad-rooth') Short Definition: blackness. ...
/hebrew/6940.htm - 6k

3650. kimrir -- darkness, gloominess
... 3649, 3650. kimrir. 3651 . darkness, gloominess. Transliteration: kimrir
Phonetic Spelling: (kim-reer') Short Definition: blackness. ...
/hebrew/3650.htm - 6k

Library

Christian Unity.
... INTRODUCTION."An ancient writer informs us that when the Egyptians named their Greatest
God who was over all, they cried thrice, "Darkness! Darkness! ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/xxxvii christian unity.htm

Light in Darkness.
... LIGHT IN DARKNESS. LIGHT IN DARKNESS. i. ... And to feel, if now around us a desert land
we see,. Without the star of promise, what would its darkness be! ...
/.../borthwick/hymns from the land of luther/light in darkness.htm

There is a Divine Darkness which is not Evil, and which Ultimately ...
... Book II. 23. There is a Divine Darkness Which is Not Evil, and Which
Ultimately Becomes Light. In connection with this subject it ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/23 there is a divine.htm

Darkness Before the Dawn
... Darkness Before the Dawn. A Sermon (No.2477). ... The child of God may be, then, in
comparative darkness. Yes, and he may be in positive darkness. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/darkness before the dawn.htm

Different Kinds of Light; and of Darkness.
... 20. Different Kinds of Light; And of Darkness. ... The light of men is a generic notion
covering two special things; and with the darkness of men it is the same. ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/20 different kinds of light.htm

How the Darkness Failed to Overtake the Light.
... Book II. 22. How the Darkness Failed to Overtake the Light. Should any ... In
two ways the darkness did not overtake the light. Either it ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/22 how the darkness failed.htm

Unfruitful Works of Darkness
... EPHESIANS UNFRUITFUL WORKS OF DARKNESS. 'And have no fellowship with the unfruitful
works of darkness, but rather reprove them.'"Ephesians 5:11. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/unfruitful works of darkness.htm

When Darkness Falls and Night is Here,
... SYNESIUS When darkness falls and night is here,. tr., John Brownlie 8,8,8,8. ... I. When
darkness falls and night is here,. My hymns of praise in silence rise". ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the greek church/when darkness falls and night.htm

Whether the Damned are in Material Darkness?
... OF THE PUNISHMENT OF THE DAMNED (SEVEN ARTICLES) Whether the damned are in material
darkness? ... Therefore there is no material darkness there. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the damned are in.htm

The Cross the victory and Defeat of Darkness
... VOLUME II: ST. LUKE Chaps. XIII to XXIV THE CROSS THE VICTORY AND DEFEAT OF DARKNESS.
'This is your hour, and the power of darkness.' "Luke 22:53. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the cross the victory and.htm

Resources
What is the witching hour, and is it in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that God is light? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that Satan masquerades as an angel of light? | GotQuestions.org

Darkness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Darkness

Darkness of Judgments

Darkness of Spiritual Blindness

Darkness the Following Scriptures

Darkness: "Outer Darkness"

Darkness: "Power of Darkness"

Darkness: A Course of Sin

Darkness: Abstruse and Deep Subjects

Darkness: Anything Hateful

Darkness: Called Night

Darkness: Called the Swaddling Band of the Sea

Darkness: Cannot Hide Us from God

Darkness: Caused by the Setting of the Sun

Darkness: Created by God

Darkness: Degrees of, Mentioned: Great

Darkness: Degrees of, Mentioned: Gross

Darkness: Degrees of, Mentioned: Outer or Extreme

Darkness: Degrees of, Mentioned: That May be Felt

Darkness: Degrees of, Mentioned: Thick

Darkness: Effects of Causes Us to Go Astray

Darkness: Effects of Causes Us to Stumble

Darkness: Effects of Keeps Us from Seeing Objects

Darkness: Exhibits God's Power and Greatness

Darkness: God Creates

Darkness: Greatness and Unsearchableness of God

Darkness: Heavy Afflictions

Darkness: Ignorance and Error

Darkness: Inexplicable Nature of

Darkness: Miraculous in Egypt

Darkness: Miraculous: At Mount Sinai

Darkness: Miraculous: At the Crucifixion

Darkness: Miraculous: At the Death of Christ

Darkness: Miraculous: Before the Destruction of Jerusalem

Darkness: Miraculous: On Mount Sinai

Darkness: Miraculous: Over the Land of Egypt

Darkness: Often Put for Night

Darkness: Originally Covered the Earth

Darkness: Over the Face of the Earth

Darkness: Secrecy

Darkness: Separated from the Light

Darkness: The Grave

Darkness: The Power of Satan

Darkness: The Punishment of Devils and Wicked Men

Darkness: The Wicked are Full of

Darkness: The Wicked: Live In

Darkness: The Wicked: Perpetuate Their Designs In

Darkness: The Wicked: The Children of

Darkness: The Wicked: Walk In

Related Terms

Blackness (13 Occurrences)

Obscurity (10 Occurrences)

Gloom (29 Occurrences)

Death-shade (16 Occurrences)

Shades (29 Occurrences)

Gross (12 Occurrences)

Shines (15 Occurrences)

Noon (30 Occurrences)

Shineth (13 Occurrences)

Walks (51 Occurrences)

Noonday (13 Occurrences)

Outer (98 Occurrences)

Dense (11 Occurrences)

Whither (151 Occurrences)

Twilight (25 Occurrences)

Shine (62 Occurrences)

Noon-day (8 Occurrences)

Nether (19 Occurrences)

Gloominess (2 Occurrences)

Reserved (28 Occurrences)

Eclipse

Daylight (24 Occurrences)

Blackest (5 Occurrences)

Walketh (62 Occurrences)

Black (52 Occurrences)

Skies (36 Occurrences)

Covers (50 Occurrences)

Utter (111 Occurrences)

Shadow (72 Occurrences)

Thick (129 Occurrences)

Wickedness (232 Occurrences)

Light (2869 Occurrences)

Evening (163 Occurrences)

Ninth (35 Occurrences)

Outside (215 Occurrences)

O'clock (16 Occurrences)

Gnashing (10 Occurrences)

Grope (5 Occurrences)

Gnash (12 Occurrences)

Weeping (237 Occurrences)

Weep (97 Occurrences)

Teeth (50 Occurrences)

Reveals (14 Occurrences)

Enlighteneth (6 Occurrences)

Deepest (11 Occurrences)

Midday (11 Occurrences)

Bad (129 Occurrences)

Blinded (15 Occurrences)

Comprehend (9 Occurrences)

Canopy (8 Occurrences)

Attentively (35 Occurrences)

Afternoon (9 Occurrences)

Sixth (45 Occurrences)

Silenced (19 Occurrences)

Swaddlingband (1 Occurrence)

Shade (67 Occurrences)

Shined (9 Occurrences)

Swaddling-band (1 Occurrence)

Clouds (99 Occurrences)

Shone (27 Occurrences)

Wrapped (40 Occurrences)

Evil (1503 Occurrences)

Dark (234 Occurrences)

Lest (282 Occurrences)

Adversity (54 Occurrences)

Fellowship (114 Occurrences)

Paths (65 Occurrences)

Stretch (73 Occurrences)

Blind (91 Occurrences)

Walk (315 Occurrences)

Waited (72 Occurrences)

Dawn (70 Occurrences)

Deeds (309 Occurrences)

Knoweth (152 Occurrences)

Turns (80 Occurrences)

Rises (56 Occurrences)

Sitting (201 Occurrences)

Sheol (64 Occurrences)

Darkness/Night
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