There are two interpretations of the meaning of the outer darkness
in Matthew 8:11:
The outer darkness
is the place of final judgment, Gehenna, which is literally dark (see Jude 1:13; 2 Peter 2:17) because it is outside the glorious light of God (1 John 1:5).The place of darkness is anywhere outside the kingdom of heaven, deprived of the joy of the feast.
Interpretation 1:
The outer darkness
mentioned in Matthew 8:11 refers to the final place of judgment, Gehenna. Everything outside of the kingdom of God is darkness, for God is light (1 John 1:5). Darkness therefore indicates the nature of the place of judgment and as such needs to be understood literally (see Jude 1:13and 2 Peter 2:17).1
Interpretation 2:
Outside of the festal hall of the kingdom of heaven there is darkness, with the outer darkness indicating a complete deprivation of the joy of the feast, which is so great that it can only be described as darkness.2
11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,