A timing lock detection apparatus and method for digital broadcasting receiver are provided. The apparatus includes: a discrete value generator for cyclically selecting a discrete signal value from a continuous timing error signal; a differential calculator for obtaining a difference between the currently selected timing error signal value and a previously selected timing error signal that is a timing jitter signal; a sign variation detector for detecting variation in a sign of the timing jitter signal; a lock control signal generator for discriminating a period based on the detected sign changing time, and controlling a lock step of the loop filter according to a convergence mode of the timing jitter signal at each period; and a lock detection signal generator for generating a lock signal or an unlock signal according to whether the timing jitter signal reaches a steady state and using the current lock step signal.