Angels of eschatological punishment in the Jewish and Christian apocalyptic traditions and in the Gospel of Matthew

Abstract

In the Jewish and Christian apocalyptic traditions there were two distinct types of angels who were responsible for the punishment of the wicked after the final judgement. One type merely transported the wicked to the place of eternal punishment, while the other resided in the place of punishment and inflicted tortures on the condemned. Most texts reflect one tradition or the other, but in a few instances both are represented. The Gospel of Matthew clearly presents the angels who transport the wicked to the place of condemnation (13:41-42, 49-50; 22:13), but it may also reflect the tradition of the angelic torturers in the parable of the unforgiving servant in Mt 18:23-24. In this periscope, the king hands over the wicked servant to the torturers, and there is good evidence that these characters in the story represent angelic tormenters of the condemned.