Matthew 18:9

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

And if your eye is a snare for you, gouge it out and fling it away! Better that you should be oneeyed and obtain eternal life than keep both eyes and be thrown into the fire of Gei Hinnom.

Berean Standard Bible:

And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

American Standard Version:

And if thine eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of fire.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} if^{G1487} thine^{G4675} eye^{G3788} offend^{G4624} thee^{G4571}, pluck^{G1807} it^{G846} out^{G1807}, and^{G2532} cast^{G906} it from^{G575} thee^{G4675}: it is^{G2076} better^{G2570} for thee^{G4671} to enter^{G1525} into^{G1519} life^{G2222} with one eye^{G3442}, rather than^{G2228} having^{G2192} two^{G1417} eyes^{G3788} to be cast^{G906} into^{G1519} hell^{G1067} fire^{G4442}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Acts 14:22

Confirming the souls of the disciples, [and] exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

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.

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 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 19:17

And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? [there is] none good but one, [that is], God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

Hebrews 4:11

¶ Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

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:

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Commentary for Matthew 18:9

Matthew 18:9 is part of a discourse by Jesus on the importance of faith, avoiding sin, and the treatment of others within the community of believers. The verse is often interpreted metaphorically and emphasizes the radical steps one should take to avoid sin and its consequences. The "eye" in this context is thought to represent anything that leads one into temptation or sin. Jesus teaches that it is better to suffer a severe loss in this life—symbolized by the loss of an eye—than to keep a source of sin that could lead to eternal damnation, described here as "hell fire."

The historical context of this verse is set within the culture and moral teachings of first-century Judaism, where Jesus, as a Jewish rabbi, is instructing his followers on the rigorous demands of the Kingdom of God. The dramatic language of plucking out one's eye serves to underscore the seriousness with which Jesus viewed the pursuit of holiness and the avoidance of actions that could jeopardize one's eternal soul. This teaching is consistent with other biblical themes that call for decisive action against sin (such as amputating a limb if it causes one to sin, as seen in Matthew 5:29-30) and reflects the high value placed on spiritual integrity and eternal life over temporal comfort or physical wholeness.

In summary, Matthew 18:9 is a stark admonition to prioritize spiritual well-being over physical comfort, urging believers to be vigilant against sin and to take drastic measures, if necessary, to ensure their spiritual purity and everlasting life. The verse uses hyperbolic language to convey the gravity of spiritual choices and the reality of eternal consequences.

*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: G1487
There are 271 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰ
Transliteration: ei
Pronunciation: i
Description: a primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.:--forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether. Often used in connection or composition with other particles, especially as in εἴγε, εἰ δὲ μή(γε), εἰ καί, εἰ μή, εἰ μή τι, εἴ περ, εἴ πως, εἴ τις, ἐκ. See also ἐάν.
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: G3788
There are 86 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὀφθαλμός
Transliteration: ophthalmós
Pronunciation: of-thal-mos'
Description: from ὀπτάνομαι; the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance):--eye, sight.
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: G1807
There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐξαιρέω
Transliteration: exairéō
Pronunciation: ex-ahee-reh'-o
Description: from ἐκ and αἱρέομαι; actively, to tear out; middle voice, to select; figuratively, to release:--deliver, pluck out, rescue.
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: 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: G575
There are 1465 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀπό
Transliteration: apó
Pronunciation: apo'
Description: a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):--(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.
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: 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: G3442
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μονόφθαλμος
Transliteration: monóphthalmos
Pronunciation: mon-of'-thal-mos
Description: from μόνος and ὀφθαλμός; one-eyed:--with one eye.
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: 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.

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