Matthew 8:12 Commentary and Bible Study

The Gentiles will be brought in from east and west, from far beyond Israel’s borders, but the children of the kingdom will be cast out. By calling them the children of the kingdom, Christ highlights the tragedy of the situation. Israel had so many privileges. She had been given blessings as a nation which no other nation ever received. No other people could call the Lord, their God, and had entered into covenant relationship with him. As his people they received his deliverance from Egypt, the overthrow of their enemies, guidance through the wilderness, and supernatural provision. They were given his holy word, a system of worship, his presence among them, a code of law superior to all other nations, and prophets to teach them, correct them, and turn their hearts back to God. They were the children of the physical kingdom, but they had no place in the spiritual kingdom, and therefore, as far as the spiritual kingdom was concerned, they were mere servants and had no permanent place in God’s house (John 8:35). But to go from being members of the household, to being cast out into outer darkness is disturbing beyond all description. Here is yet another faithful warning from the Lord, lest that terrible day should come and they should say that it had taken them totally by surprise. Outer darkness is an eternal state, a description that is terrifying because it cuts a person off from God body and soul for ever. Where there is darkness, there is no understanding, no favour from the Lord, no comfort or warmth of his love, no hope for the future. The future looms before the soul without pity, without respite, without prospect of change. The past remains accusing, undeniable, unforgiving, and yet deeply consequential. The soul can do nothing to cancel past sins or alter the law’s verdict, but it is led back to think on what might have been and to torture itself with its own choices. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, and how can that diminish with the passing of time? The Jews, given so many privileges, will not come into the kingdom of heaven, and neither will countless unbelieving Gentiles, but for the centurion there will be a link between his belief and the answer to his prayer.