The phrase “weeping/wailing and gnashing of teeth” occurs 7 times in the NT. 6 times in Matthew and 1 time in Luke.
[Mat 8:12 KJV] 12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. [Mat 13:42 KJV] 42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. [Mat 13:50 KJV] 50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. [Mat 22:13 KJV] 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. [Mat 24:51 KJV] 51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint [him] his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. [Mat 25:30 KJV] 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. [Luk 13:28 KJV] 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.It is uttered only by Jesus. The phrase is all used in a parable with the context of judgment.
Gnashing of teeth is used elsewhere in the Bible:
[Psa 35:16 KJV] 16 With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth. [Psa 35:16 AMP] Like godless jesters at a feast, They gnashed at me with their teeth [in malice].Verse does not refer to some kind of torment, but as an expression of anger.
[Act 7:54 KJV] 54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with [their] teeth. [Act 7:54 AMP] 54 Now when [a]they heard this [accusation and understood its implication], they were cut to the heart, and they began grinding their teeth [in rage] at him. [Act 7:54 NLT] 54 The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage.Again, this verse uses gnash teeth as an expression of anger.
It’s also referenced in Job where God himself gnashes his teeth.
[Job 16:9 KJV] 9 He teareth [me] in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me.Again, it’s used as an expression of anger.
We use the phrase today in a similar way.
gnash your teeth – to show that you are angry or annoyed about something bad that you can do nothing to stop
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dic … your-teeth
So, the phrase “weeping and gnashing of teeth” would most likely mean extreme sadness and rage.
The weeping and gnashing of teeth is symbolic of utter despair, regret, anger, and uncontrollable rage.
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/christian … the-bible/
Why would there be sadness and rage? Because the people cast into hell would be disappointed and angry they were not allowed entrance into heaven, but into hell. It is less likely to mean they are crying and expressing agony while suffering torture in hell.
https://debatingchristianity.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=970925#p970925