And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

MARK 9:43KJV
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Mark 9:43 (KJV)

What does Mark 9:43 mean?

Mark 9:43 describes Jesus warning his listeners that if their hand causes them to sin, it is better to lose that hand than to be thrown into hell, where the fire never goes out. The verse uses strong imagery to stress the seriousness of avoiding sin, even if it requires drastic action.

Jesus is speaking to his disciples, using vivid language to teach about the dangers of sin and the reality of judgment. The setting is a private conversation where Jesus is instructing his followers on the importance of personal responsibility in avoiding things that lead to wrongdoing. The verse emphasizes that spiritual well-being is more important than physical wholeness.

The Greek behind Mark 9:43

  • The word "offend" comes from the Greek σκανδαλίζῃ (skandalizē), often understood as "causes you to stumble" or "leads you into sin." This highlights that Jesus is talking about anything that leads a person away from what is right, not just physical actions.
  • The word "hell" is γέεννα (geenna), which refers to a place of final judgment and destruction, drawing on imagery from a burning garbage dump outside Jerusalem. This underlines the seriousness of the warning.
  • The phrase "fire that never shall be quenched" uses πῦρ (pyr) for "fire" and the idea of it never being extinguished, stressing the lasting consequences Jesus is describing.

Why Mark 9:43 matters

  • Mark 9:43 clarifies that Jesus is using hyperbolic language to show the extreme seriousness of sin, not literally commanding self-harm.
  • The verse connects to a larger teaching in this chapter about humility, temptation, and the cost of following Jesus, showing that nothing should be valued above spiritual life.
  • This verse helps readers understand the urgency and weight Jesus places on making choices that lead to life, rather than destruction.

Where else these words appear

“maimed” Greek G2948 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 15:30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:
  • Matthew 15:31 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.
  • Matthew 18:8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.

“quenched” Greek G762 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
  • Mark 9:45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
  • Luke 3:17 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.

“cut” Greek G609 · used in 6 verses

  • Mark 9:45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
  • John 18:10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
  • Acts 27:32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.

“hell” Greek G1067 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
  • Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
  • Mark 9:45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: