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 Or, je vous déclare que plusieurs viendront de l'orient et de l'occident, et seront à table avec Abraham, Isaac et Jacob, dans le royaume des cieux.