King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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:
Complete Jewish Bible:
And if your foot makes you sin, cut it off! Better that you should be lame but obtain eternal life, rather than keep both feet and be thrown into Gei-Hinnom!
Berean Standard Bible:
If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.
American Standard Version:
And if thy foot cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life halt, rather than having thy two feet to be cast into hell.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And{G2532} if{G1437} thy{G4675} foot{G4228} offend{G4624} thee{G4571}, cut{G609} it{G846} off{G609}: it is{G2076} better{G2570} for thee{G4671} to enter{G1525} halt{G5560} into{G1519} life{G2222}, than{G2228} having{G2192} two{G1417} feet{G4228} to be cast{G906} into{G1519} hell{G1067}, into{G1519} the fire{G4442} that never shall be quenched{G762}:
Cross-References (KJV):
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.
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:
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.
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Commentary for Mark 9:45
Mark 9:45 is a part of the Gospel according to Mark, which is one of the four canonical Gospels in the New Testament of the Bible. This verse is situated within a larger discourse where Jesus is teaching his disciples about the seriousness of sin and its consequences. The historical context of this verse is the ministry of Jesus in the region of Galilee, where he was engaging with his followers and the broader Jewish community, teaching them about the Kingdom of God and the radical demands of discipleship.
In the verse, Jesus uses a strong metaphor to emphasize the importance of spiritual integrity over physical wholeness. The imagery of cutting off one's foot is hyperbolic, meant to shock the listener into understanding the gravity of causing oneself or others to stumble spiritually ("offend thee"). The saying suggests that it is better to endure severe personal loss, even to the point of physical mutilation, than to face eternal punishment. The "hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched" refers to Gehenna, a term used in the New Testament to describe a place of eternal torment, which was associated with the Valley of Hinnom, a place south of Jerusalem where, in ancient times, children were sacrificed by fire to the god Molech, and later became a symbol of divine judgment and destruction.
The themes of this verse include the call to radical discipleship, the urgency of avoiding sin, the reality of divine judgment, and the stark contrast between temporal suffering and eternal damnation. Jesus is calling for decisive action against anything that leads one away from God, illustrating that spiritual well-being takes precedence over physical well-being. This teaching reflects the high ethical standards of the Christian faith and the seriousness with which Jesus viewed the commitment to follow God's will.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G1437
There are 254 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐάν
Transliteration: eán
Pronunciation: eh-an'
Description: from εἰ and ἄν; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty:--before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-)soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, (who-)so(-ever). See μή. - Strong's Number: G4675
There are 360 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σοῦ
Transliteration: soû
Pronunciation: soo
Description: genitive case of σύ; of thee, thy:--X home, thee, thine (own), thou, thy. - Strong's Number: G4228
There are 86 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πούς
Transliteration: poús
Pronunciation: pooce
Description: a primary word; a "foot" (figuratively or literally):--foot(-stool). - Strong's Number: G4624
There are 28 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σκανδαλίζω
Transliteration: skandalízō
Pronunciation: skan-dal-id'-zo
Description: from σκάνδαλον; to entrap, i.e. trip up (figuratively, stumble (transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure):--(make to) offend. - Strong's Number: G4571
There are 179 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σέ
Transliteration: sé
Pronunciation: seh
Description: accusative case singular of σύ; thee:--thee, thou, X thy house. - Strong's Number: G609
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀποκόπτω
Transliteration: apokóptō
Pronunciation: ap-ok-op'-to
Description: from ἀπό and κόπτω; to amputate; reflexively (by irony) to mutilate (the privy parts):--cut off. Compare κατατομή. - Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ. - Strong's Number: G2076
There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐστί
Transliteration: estí
Pronunciation: es-tee'
Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle. - Strong's Number: G2570
There are 91 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καλός
Transliteration: kalós
Pronunciation: kal-os'
Description: of uncertain affinity; properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e. valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished from ἀγαθός, which is properly intrinsic):--X better, fair, good(-ly), honest, meet, well, worthy. - Strong's Number: G4671
There are 204 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σοί
Transliteration: soí
Pronunciation: soy
Description: dative case of σύ; to thee:--thee, thine own, thou, thy. - Strong's Number: G1525
There are 186 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰσέρχομαι
Transliteration: eisérchomai
Pronunciation: ice-er'-khom-ahee
Description: from εἰς and ἔρχομαι; to enter (literally or figuratively):--X arise, come (in, into), enter in(-to), go in (through). - Strong's Number: G5560
There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: χωλός
Transliteration: chōlós
Pronunciation: kho-los'
Description: apparently a primary word; "halt", i.e. limping:--cripple, halt, lame. - Strong's Number: G1519
There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰς
Transliteration: eis
Pronunciation: ice
Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively). - Strong's Number: G2222
There are 126 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ζωή
Transliteration: zōḗ
Pronunciation: dzo-ay'
Description: from ζάω; life (literally or figuratively):--life(-time). Compare ψυχή. - Strong's Number: G2228
There are 283 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἤ
Transliteration: ḗ
Pronunciation: ay
Description: a primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than:--and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea. Often used in connection with other particles. Compare especially ἤδη, ἤπερ, ἤτοι. - Strong's Number: G2192
There are 628 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔχω
Transliteration: échō
Pronunciation: skheh'-o
Description: a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition):--be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use. - Strong's Number: G1417
There are 124 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δύο
Transliteration: dýo
Pronunciation: doo'-o
Description: a primary numeral; "two":--both, twain, two. - Strong's Number: G906
There are 107 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: βάλλω
Transliteration: bállō
Pronunciation: bal'-lo
Description: a primary verb; to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense):--arise, cast (out), X dung, lay, lie, pour, put (up), send, strike, throw (down), thrust. Compare ῥίπτω. - Strong's Number: G1067
There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γέεννα
Transliteration: géenna
Pronunciation: gheh'-en-nah
Description: of Hebrew origin (גַּיְא and הִנֹּם); valley of (the son of) Hinnom; ge-henna (or Ge-Hinnom), a valley of Jerusalem, used (figuratively) as a name for the place (or state) of everlasting punishment:--hell. - Strong's Number: G4442
There are 73 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πῦρ
Transliteration: pŷr
Pronunciation: poor
Description: a primary word; "fire" (literally or figuratively, specially, lightning):--fiery, fire. - Strong's Number: G762
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἄσβεστος
Transliteration: ásbestos
Pronunciation: as'-bes-tos
Description: from Α (as a negative particle) and a derivative of σβέννυμι; not extinguished, i.e. (by implication) perpetual:--not to be quenched, unquenchable.