8:12a

But: There is a contrast between 8:11 and 8:12. The contrast is between those who eat in the kingdom, and those who are cast out. The Berean Standard Bible and many English versions begin this verse with the conjunction But, which indicates this contrast.

the sons of the kingdom: The phrase the sons of the kingdom is an idiom. It refers to the people who belong to/in the kingdom of God. These people are the Jews. They are the people whom God first chose to rule. They are the ones who were supposed to be citizens in the kingdom of God. They were destined to be in the kingdom. But they did not believe in Christ, so they will not be in the kingdom.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

those who should have belonged to the kingdom (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
those for whom the Kingdom was prepared (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the ones who should have been in the kingdom (Contemporary English Version)
-or-

⌊many of⌋ the Jews who are supposed to be citizens of the kingdom ⌊of God⌋

8:12b

will be thrown into the outer darkness: This clause is passive.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

will be thrown out into the dark (Contemporary English Version)

• Use an active verb. For example:

⌊God⌋ will throw them out ⌊of the kingdom and⌋ into the darkness

into the outer darkness: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the outer darkness refers to the place that is outside the kingdom and far away from its light. The Jews considered this dark place to be hell.

Here are some other ways to translate this expression:

out into the darkness (Good News Translation)
-or-
into the dark (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
into the dark far away ⌊from God⌋

General Comment on 8:12a–b

Verse 8:12a–b contains a hyperbole. Not all Jews will be outside the kingdom. Some Jews believe in Christ and will be citizens of the kingdom. One way to make this clear is to add some information. For example:

But ⌊many of⌋ the people ⌊of Israel⌋ who should have been in the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness.

8:12c

where there will be weeping: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as weeping refers to the loud sound that people make when they have much grief and sorrow. It is not a quiet sobbing.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

where there will be wailing (Revised English Bible)
-or-
People will cry (God’s Word)

and gnashing of teeth: The phrase gnashing of teeth refers to grinding of teeth because of pain, anger, and bitterness. In hell, people will be in pain. They will also be angry at what happened to them.

Here are some other ways to translate this expression:

• Use an expression in your language that describes what people do with their teeth when they are in pain and are also angry. For example:

grind teeth
-or-
clench teeth

• Add some information. For example:

they will grind their teeth ⌊in pain and anger⌋

• Translate the meaning of the action. For example:

and be in extreme pain there (God’s Word)

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