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.

MATTHEW 18:9KJV
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Matthew 18:9 (KJV)

What does Matthew 18:9 mean?

Matthew 18:9 says that if your eye causes you to sin, it is better to remove it than to keep it and end up in "hell fire." The verse uses strong language to stress that avoiding sin is more important than holding on to anything—even something as valuable as your eyesight.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to His disciples, using vivid imagery to make a point about the seriousness of sin and the lengths one should go to avoid it. The context is a discussion about stumbling blocks and the dangers of causing oneself or others to fall into sin. The statement is not meant to be taken literally but to show how seriously Jesus views anything that leads a person away from true life with God.

The Greek behind Matthew 18:9

  • The word translated as "offend" is 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 spiritual harm.
  • "Hell" is γέεννα (geenna), which refers to a place of final judgment and destruction. In Jesus’ time, this word evoked a vivid image of a cursed place outside Jerusalem used for burning refuse.
  • The phrase "pluck it out" uses ἐξέλε (exele), which means "to take out" or "remove." The forceful language underlines the seriousness of the action being described.

Why Matthew 18:9 matters

  • Matthew 18:9 clears up the idea that Jesus is speaking in hyperbole, not commanding physical harm, but highlighting the seriousness of removing sources of sin from one's life.
  • The verse emphasizes personal responsibility in dealing with temptation and the radical measures sometimes needed to avoid spiritual ruin.
  • This teaching connects to the wider passage about not causing others to stumble, showing that Jesus cares deeply about both personal and communal holiness.

Where else these words appear

“eye” Greek G3442 · used in 2 verses

  • Mark 9:47 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:

“pluck” Greek G1807 · used in 8 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.
  • Acts 7:34 I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt.
  • Acts 23:27 This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.

“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:

“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 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
  • 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.