And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:

MARK 9:47KJV
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Mark 9:47 (KJV)

What does Mark 9:47 mean?

Mark 9:47 describes Jesus telling his listeners that if their eye causes them to stumble or sin, it is better to remove it than to risk being thrown into hell fire with both eyes. The verse uses strong imagery to stress that entering God's kingdom is far more important than holding on to anything that leads a person away from God.

Jesus is speaking to his disciples and the crowds, using exaggerated language to make a serious point about the cost of sin and the value of eternal life. The setting is a teaching moment where Jesus warns about the dangers of anything that leads a person into wrongdoing. The verse is not a literal instruction to harm oneself, but a vivid way of saying that nothing is worth losing out on life with God.

The Greek behind Mark 9:47

  • The word "offend" comes from σκανδαλίζω (skandalizō), which means "to cause to stumble" or "to trip up." Here, it refers to anything that leads a person into sin or causes them to fall away from what is right.
  • The phrase "pluck it out" uses the Greek ἐκβάλλω (ekballō), meaning "to cast out" or "to throw out." This emphasizes a decisive and complete removal, not just a casual avoidance.
  • The word for "hell" is γέεννα (geenna), which refers to a place of final judgment and destruction, drawing on the imagery of a burning rubbish dump outside Jerusalem. This would have been a strong warning to Jesus' listeners.

Why Mark 9:47 matters

  • Mark 9:47 clears up the misunderstanding that Jesus is asking for literal self-harm; instead, the verse uses powerful language to highlight the seriousness of removing anything that leads to sin.
  • The verse emphasizes the surpassing value of entering the kingdom of God, showing that nothing in this life is worth more than being part of God's reign.
  • Mark 9:47 connects to the surrounding verses, where Jesus repeats similar warnings about hands and feet, building a pattern that underscores the importance of radical action against sin.

Where else these words appear

“eye” Greek G3442 · used in 2 verses

  • Matthew 18:9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

“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 9:43 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:

“offend” Greek G4624 · used in 28 verses

  • Matthew 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
  • Matthew 18:9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
  • Mark 14:27 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.

“fire” Greek G4442 · used in 73 verses

  • Matthew 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
  • Luke 17:29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
  • Revelation 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;