{The sons of the kingdom} (hoi huioi t(8873) basileias). A
favourite Hebrew idiom like "son of hell" ( Mt 23:15 ), "sons of
this age" ( Lu 16:8 ). The Jews felt that they had a natural
right to the privileges of the kingdom because of descent from
Abraham ( Mt 3:9 ). But mere natural birth did not bring
spiritual sonship as the Baptist had taught before Jesus did.
{Into the outer darkness} (eis to skotos to ex(9374)eron).
Comparative adjective like our "further out," the darkness
outside the limits of the lighted palace, one of the figures for
hell or punishment ( Mt 23:13 25:30 ). The repeated article
makes it bolder and more impressive, "the darkness the outside,"
there where the wailing and gnashing of teeth is heard in the
thick blackness of night.
|