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:
Original Language Analysis
Καὶ
And
G2532
Καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐὰν
if
G1437
ἐὰν
if
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
2 of 31
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
σκανδαλίζῃ
offend
G4624
σκανδαλίζῃ
offend
Strong's:
G4624
Word #:
3 of 31
to entrap, i.e., trip up (figuratively, stumble (transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure)
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χεῖρας
hand
G5495
χεῖρας
hand
Strong's:
G5495
Word #:
6 of 31
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
ἀπόκοψον
cut
G609
ἀπόκοψον
cut
Strong's:
G609
Word #:
8 of 31
to amputate; reflexively (by irony) to mutilate (the privy parts)
αὐτήν·
it
G846
αὐτήν·
it
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 31
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καλόν
better
G2570
καλόν
better
Strong's:
G2570
Word #:
10 of 31
properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e., valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished
κυλλὸν
maimed
G2948
κυλλὸν
maimed
Strong's:
G2948
Word #:
13 of 31
rocking about, i.e., crippled (maimed, in feet or hands)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
14 of 31
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χεῖρας
hand
G5495
χεῖρας
hand
Strong's:
G5495
Word #:
21 of 31
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
ἔχοντα
having
G2192
ἔχοντα
having
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
22 of 31
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
ἀπελθεῖν
to go
G565
ἀπελθεῖν
to go
Strong's:
G565
Word #:
23 of 31
to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
24 of 31
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γέενναν
hell
G1067
γέενναν
hell
Strong's:
G1067
Word #:
26 of 31
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 p
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
27 of 31
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
28 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πῦρ
the fire
G4442
πῦρ
the fire
Strong's:
G4442
Word #:
29 of 31
"fire" (literally or figuratively, specially, lightning)
Cross References
Matthew 25:41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:Hebrews 12:1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,Matthew 5:22But 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.Galatians 5:24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.Colossians 3:5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:Romans 8:13For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.Matthew 3:12Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.Luke 14:13But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:Titus 2:12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Historical Context
Gehenna (Valley of Hinnom) was Jerusalem's garbage dump, continually burning. It had dark history as site of child sacrifice to Molech (2 Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 7:31), making it apt symbol for final judgment. Jesus used Gehenna as image for hell—place of eternal punishment. First-century Judaism recognized hell's reality (Daniel 12:2; intertestamental literature describes punishment). Jesus' teaching on hell is extensive (Matthew 5:22, 29-30; 10:28; 13:42; 18:9; 23:33; 25:41, 46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 12:5; 16:23). The phrase 'fire that never shall be quenched' emphasizes eternal duration—not temporary purgation but everlasting punishment. This contradicts annihilationism. Reformed theology affirms hell as eternal conscious punishment, though specifics of 'fire' may be metaphorical for indescribable suffering.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' hyperbolic language about cutting off body parts emphasize the supreme importance of avoiding hell at any cost?
- What does Jesus' repeated, explicit teaching on hell reveal about the reality and seriousness of eternal punishment?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus commanded radical action against sin: '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' (ἐὰν σκανδαλίζῃ σε ἡ χείρ σου, ἀπόκοψον αὐτήν· καλόν ἐστίν σε κυλλὸν εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν ζωὴν ἢ τὰς δύο χεῖρας ἔχοντα ἀπελθεῖν εἰς τὴν γέενναν, εἰς τὸ πῦρ τὸ ἄσβεστον). This is hyperbolic language—Jesus doesn't command literal self-mutilation (bodily mutilation wouldn't cure sinful hearts). Rather, He emphasizes that avoiding hell justifies any earthly cost. 'Cut off' (apokopson, ἀπόκοψον) means ruthlessly eliminate whatever causes sin. Hell (geenna, γέενναν, from 'Valley of Hinnom' where child sacrifice occurred) is eternal conscious punishment, described as 'fire that never shall be quenched' (pyr to asbeston, πῦρ τὸ ἄσβεστον). Better to lose anything—even precious body parts—than face eternal judgment. This teaching confronts contemporary minimization of sin and hell.