A device for gripping or locking a rope or wire comprises a pair of rope engaging members or jaw members defining a pair of oppositely arranged wire engaging surfaces forming a passageway for the rope. The jaw members are mounted in the frame of the gripping device by means of a swinging link suspension including a pair of swinging links. The jaw members are suspended so that the frictional forces acting between the rope and the jaw members cause displacement of the rope engaging surfaces thereon in mutual parallel relationship towards each other, when a pulling force is applied to the rope in a first direction, while the rope engaging surfaces are displaced away from each other, when a pulling force is applied to the rope or wire in a second opposite direction. This means that the rope is pinched between the rope engaging surfaces, when the rope is pulled in the said first direction, and released, when pulled in said second direction. The jaw members may comprise a first jaw member having a U-shaped cross-section with an inner bottom surface defining a first rope engaging surface, and a second jaw member displaceably received within the first jaw member. Corresponding swinging links suspending said first and second jaw members may be mounted pivotally about a common axis and define an angle therebetween, and these swinging members are preferably formed as an integral part. The jaw members may be moved to a rope releasing position by means of an operating handle.