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.

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}.

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.

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.

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.

Matthew 18:9 presents a powerful and challenging teaching from Jesus Christ, employing hyperbolic language to underscore the extreme seriousness of sin and its eternal consequences. This verse is part of a broader discourse on humility, avoiding causing others to stumble, and the value of every soul within the Kingdom of Heaven.

Context

This verse is a direct continuation of Jesus' warning in Matthew 18:8, where He similarly speaks of cutting off a hand or foot that causes one to sin. These teachings are situated within a section where Jesus emphasizes the importance of not causing "little ones" (often interpreted as new believers or those weak in faith) to stumble (Matthew 18:6-7). The radical imagery here echoes similar, though not identical, warnings given by Jesus earlier in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:29-30), indicating a consistent theme in His ministry regarding the gravity of sin and the necessity of radical spiritual purity.

Key Themes

  • Radical Purity and Self-Examination: Jesus is not advocating literal self-mutilation, but rather a drastic, uncompromising approach to dealing with anything that leads to sin. The "eye" symbolizes desires, perceptions, or influences that can draw one away from God. The message is to identify and ruthlessly remove any source of spiritual stumbling.
  • The Gravity of Sin: The language highlights that sin is not a minor issue but a deadly spiritual disease with eternal implications. It demands extreme measures to safeguard one's soul.
  • Eternal Consequences: The stark contrast between "entering into life" and being "cast into hell fire" underscores the ultimate choice facing humanity. Jesus emphasizes that the temporary pain of self-denial or separation from a sinful habit is infinitely preferable to eternal condemnation.

Linguistic Insights

  • The word "offend" in this context translates the Greek verb skandalizō (σκανδαλίζω), which means to cause to stumble, to trip up, or to entice to sin. It refers to anything that acts as a spiritual snare or stumbling block.
  • "Hell fire" is a translation of the Greek word gehenna (γέεννα). This term refers to the Valley of Hinnom, a literal valley outside Jerusalem that was historically associated with child sacrifice and later became a burning garbage dump. Jesus used Gehenna as a metaphor for a place of ultimate and eternal divine judgment and destruction, distinct from Hades (the realm of the dead).

Practical Application

Matthew 18:9 calls believers to a profound level of spiritual discipline and unwavering commitment to holiness. It challenges us to honestly assess our lives and identify any "eyes" – be they habits, relationships, media consumption, desires, or even thoughts – that repeatedly lead us into sin or compromise our walk with God. The call is to take radical, decisive action to eliminate these spiritual stumbling blocks, no matter how painful or costly it may seem in the short term. The eternal stakes are immeasurable, making the pursuit of purity essential for entering into eternal life with God. This verse serves as a sober reminder that true discipleship often requires significant sacrifice and a willingness to separate from anything that hinders our spiritual journey, prioritizing our eternal destiny above all else.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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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