Utter darkness or gloom draws attention once again to 2 Peter 2:4. Like the angels will not escape judgment, these false teachers likewise are certain to face God’s wrath. The idea of utter darkness also indicates that the place of judgment and torment is outside the kingdom (see also Matthew 8:12; Matthew 22:13; Matthew 25:30).1
17 These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved.