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:
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 29
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 29
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀφθαλμοὺς
eye
G3788
ὀφθαλμοὺς
eye
Strong's:
G3788
Word #:
4 of 29
the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)
σκανδαλίζῃ
offend
G4624
σκανδαλίζῃ
offend
Strong's:
G4624
Word #:
6 of 29
to entrap, i.e., trip up (figuratively, stumble (transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure)
αὐτόν·
it
G846
αὐτόν·
it
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 29
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 29
properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e., valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
15 of 29
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 #:
16 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλείαν
the kingdom
G932
βασιλείαν
the kingdom
Strong's:
G932
Word #:
17 of 29
properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
19 of 29
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ὀφθαλμοὺς
eye
G3788
ὀφθαλμοὺς
eye
Strong's:
G3788
Word #:
22 of 29
the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)
ἔχοντα
having
G2192
ἔχοντα
having
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
23 of 29
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
βληθῆναι
to be cast
G906
βληθῆναι
to be cast
Strong's:
G906
Word #:
24 of 29
to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
25 of 29
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 #:
26 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γέενναν
hell
G1067
γέενναν
hell
Strong's:
G1067
Word #:
27 of 29
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
Cross References
Mark 9:43And 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 18:9And 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 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.Psalms 119:37Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.Job 31:1I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?Genesis 3:6And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.Luke 14:26If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.Galatians 4:15Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.
Historical Context
Ancient Mediterranean culture was highly visual—public baths, theaters, marketplaces provided opportunities for lustful seeing. Jesus' command to 'pluck out' the offending eye was hyperbolic but serious—whatever leads to sin must be eliminated. Blindness in ancient world meant severe disability and likely poverty. Yet Jesus said even this is preferable to hell. The eye's connection to desire appears throughout Scripture—Eve 'saw that the tree was good' (Genesis 3:6), David 'saw a woman washing herself' leading to adultery (2 Samuel 11:2), Achan 'saw... coveted... took' (Joshua 7:21). Jesus taught that external behavior flows from internal desire (Mark 7:20-23). Therefore, controlling input (what eyes see) is crucial for holiness. Digital age intensifies this challenge—pornography, social media, entertainment bombard eyes with temptation. Jesus' teaching demands radical measures.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'eyes' (visual media, locations, relationships) might need 'plucking out' to avoid sin in contemporary digital culture?
- How does Jesus' teaching that internal lust is adultery (Matthew 5:28) elevate moral standards beyond mere external behavior?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus warned about eyes: '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' (ἐὰν ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου σκανδαλίζῃ σε, ἔκβαλε αὐτόν· καλόν σέ ἐστιν μονόφθαλμον εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ ἢ δύο ὀφθαλμοὺς ἔχοντα βληθῆναι εἰς τὴν γέενναν τοῦ πυρός). Eyes represent what we see, desire, covet—the lust of the eyes (1 John 2:16). Jesus taught that lustful looking is adultery (Matthew 5:28). If visual media, internet, or physical locations trigger lust, eliminate them. Better to navigate life partially sighted than enter hell with perfect vision. The phrase 'kingdom of God' (v. 47) is synonymous with 'life' (vv. 43, 45)—eternal life in God's presence. The alternative is 'hell fire' (geennan tou pyros, γέενναν τοῦ πυρός)—eternal separation from God in conscious torment. Jesus demands radical action because stakes are eternal.