King James Version

What Does Luke 13:28 Mean?

Luke 13:28 in the King James Version says “There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in ... — study this verse from Luke chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

Luke 13:28 · KJV


Context

26

Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.

27

But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

28

There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

29

And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.

30

And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus describes the anguish of the excluded: 'There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.' This phrase appears frequently in Jesus' teaching about final judgment (Matthew 8:12, 13:42, 13:50, 22:13, 24:51, 25:30), indicating extreme anguish, regret, and rage. The excluded will see the patriarchs and prophets in God's kingdom while they themselves are 'thrust out,' forcibly expelled. The horror lies not merely in suffering but in the realization of irreversible loss—seeing the salvation they could have had but rejected.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jewish theology assumed the patriarchs and prophets would be resurrected and honored in the messianic kingdom. Jesus affirms this but shocks His audience by suggesting many Jews will be excluded while Gentiles are included (v. 29). This reversal of expectations challenges ethnic privilege and religious presumption. The image of judgment as exclusion from a feast appears throughout Scripture (Matthew 22:1-14, 25:1-13, Revelation 19:9). The wedding banquet represents intimate fellowship with God, while exclusion represents eternal separation—the essence of hell.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the image of seeing others in God's kingdom while being excluded yourself intensify the horror of judgment?
  2. What does this verse teach about hell as not merely punishment but loss—missing the joy and fellowship for which we were created?
  3. How should the reality of final judgment shape Christian urgency in evangelism and personal holiness?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
ἐκεῖ1 of 29

There

G1563

there; by extension, thither

ἔσται2 of 29

shall be

G2071

will be

3 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κλαυθμὸς4 of 29

weeping

G2805

lamentation

καὶ5 of 29

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

6 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βρυγμὸς7 of 29

gnashing

G1030

a grating (of the teeth)

τῶν8 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὀδόντων9 of 29

of teeth

G3599

a "tooth"

ὅταν10 of 29

when

G3752

whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as

ὄψησθε11 of 29

ye shall see

G3700

to gaze (i.e., with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from g0991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from g1

Ἀβραὰμ12 of 29

Abraham

G11

abraham, the hebrew patriarch

καὶ13 of 29

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Ἰσαὰκ14 of 29

Isaac

G2464

isaac (i.e., jitschak), the son of abraham

καὶ15 of 29

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Ἰακὼβ16 of 29

Jacob

G2384

jacob (i.e., ja`akob), the progenitor of the israelites

καὶ17 of 29

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πάντας18 of 29

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τοὺς19 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

προφήτας20 of 29

the prophets

G4396

a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet

ἐν21 of 29

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ22 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βασιλείᾳ23 of 29

the kingdom

G932

properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)

τοῦ24 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ25 of 29

of God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ὑμᾶς26 of 29

you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

δὲ27 of 29

and

G1161

but, and, etc

ἐκβαλλομένους28 of 29

yourselves thrust

G1544

to eject (literally or figuratively)

ἔξω29 of 29

out

G1854

out(-side) (of doors), literally or figuratively


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 13:28 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 13:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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