Mark 9 45

Mark 9:45 kjv

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:

Mark 9:45 nkjv

And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched?

Mark 9:45 niv

And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.

Mark 9:45 esv

And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell.

Mark 9:45 nlt

If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It's better to enter eternal life with only one foot than to be thrown into hell with two feet.

Mark 9 verses

Mark 9 45 Meaning

Mark 9:45 conveys Jesus' emphatic and hyperbolic teaching on the severe measures believers must take to avoid sin. It illustrates that no personal comfort, attachment, or physical completeness in this earthly life is worth the risk of eternal destruction. The verse underscores the infinite value of entering eternal life and the grave consequences of unrepentantly harboring or tolerating anything that causes one to stumble into sin. It calls for radical self-denial and a decisive cutting off of any source or opportunity for habitual sin, no matter how cherished or seemingly indispensable it may be.

Mark 9 45 Context

Mark 9:45 is part of Jesus' teaching on discipleship, humility, and the seriousness of stumbling, which begins in Mark 9:33. Following the Transfiguration and the second prediction of His passion, the disciples were preoccupied with who would be greatest among them. Jesus challenges this earthly mindset by presenting a child as an example of humility (Mark 9:33-37) and then warns against causing "little ones" (new or vulnerable believers) to stumble (Mark 9:42). The discourse then transitions to personal responsibility regarding sin (Mark 9:43-48), using shocking imagery of self-mutilation (hands, feet, eyes) to emphasize the extreme measures necessary to avoid spiritual destruction. This verse specifically highlights the danger of one's own actions or "walk" in life leading to sin, concluding with the stark contrast between eternal life and being "thrown into hell." The reference to "hell" (Greek: Gehenna) would have been understood by Jesus' Jewish audience as the Valley of Hinnom, a defiled place outside Jerusalem, symbolically representing a place of eternal judgment, suffering, and destruction.

Mark 9 45 Word analysis

• And if your foot: The "foot" (Greek: pous) symbolizes one's actions, pathway, or life journey. It signifies practical behavior, where we go, and what we engage in. This extends the principle from the hand (action/work, v. 43) and leads into the eye (desire/perception, v. 47), covering different aspects of human experience that can become conduits for sin.

• causes you to sin,: The Greek verb skandalizē (from skandalizō) means "to cause to stumble, to put a snare in the way of, to cause to offend or fall away." Here, it signifies leading oneself into a state of sin or spiritual ruin. It emphasizes the insidious nature of an aspect of life that habitually trips one up.

• cut it off: The Greek apokopson is an imperative, meaning "cut off" or "amputate." This is hyperbolic language, a figure of speech used by Jesus to shock and impress upon listeners the extreme urgency and severity of dealing with sin. It does not advocate literal physical mutilation, but rather a decisive, radical separation from anything that actively and repeatedly leads one into sin.

• It is better for you: The Greek phrase kalon soi estin conveys that it is "good, fitting, proper, or advantageous" for one to choose this path. It presents a logical argument based on weighing eternal consequence against temporary condition.

• to enter life: Refers to eternal life (Greek: zoē), which is not merely existence but true, abundant life in communion with God, especially in the coming age of the Kingdom of God. It is the ultimate goal and blessed destiny of the righteous.

• lame: The Greek word chōlos means "crippled" or "lame." This image portrays a state of physical impairment or significant loss in the earthly sense. In the context, it represents having forfeited something valuable or having made a significant sacrifice in this life.

• than with two feet: Symbolizes physical wholeness and functionality, representing what might be cherished or seen as necessary in this temporal existence.

• to be thrown into hell: The Greek phrase blēthēnai eis Geennan means "to be cast into Gehenna." Gehenna was a literal valley (Valley of Hinnom) outside Jerusalem, historically associated with child sacrifice and later becoming a constantly burning refuse dump. It became a vivid Jewish metaphor for a place of divine judgment, ultimate destruction, torment, and eternal separation from God for the wicked.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off": This phrase dramatically portrays the radical surgical approach required against personal sin. It emphasizes actively identifying and eliminating the source or habitual pattern of sin that is inherent in one's actions or walk of life. It calls for uncompromising spiritual self-discipline.
  • "It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell": This striking comparison underscores the paramount importance of eternal destiny over any temporal well-being or convenience. It highlights the divine calculus: any physical or social "amputation" in this life, any perceived loss or suffering for the sake of holiness, is infinitely preferable to facing the eternal judgment and destruction symbolized by "hell" with all one's earthly faculties intact.

Mark 9 45 Bonus section

This teaching on radical self-mortification connects profoundly with the concept of "taking up one's cross" (Mark 8:34), where discipleship involves denying oneself and following Christ, even unto suffering or loss. It underscores that following Jesus means a daily battle against the flesh and its sinful inclinations. While challenging, this teaching is ultimately redemptive, emphasizing that the "cutting off" leads to "life." It's not about achieving sinlessness through legalism, but about demonstrating a deep commitment to Christ's Lordship and a reverential fear of God that compels believers to avoid whatever defiles and leads to spiritual death, knowing that ultimate cleansing and sanctification come through Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Mark 9 45 Commentary

Mark 9:45 is a powerful testament to the gravity of sin and the infinite value of eternal life. Jesus employs deliberate hyperbole, a rhetorical device common in his teaching, to underscore the absolute necessity of ruthless self-denial in the pursuit of holiness. This verse is not an endorsement of literal self-mutilation, but a command for radical spiritual surgery. It implies an uncompromising examination of one's life to identify any behavior, activity, or relationship (represented by the foot) that consistently leads to spiritual offense or falls, and then to decisively cut it off.

The underlying principle is that no temporal comfort, social advantage, or physical attribute is worth jeopardizing one's eternal soul. The temporary "lameness" or perceived loss in this life for Christ's sake pales in comparison to the horror of eternal judgment (Gehenna). It challenges believers to cultivate an eternal perspective, where the spiritual health of the soul takes absolute precedence over all earthly considerations. It is a call to take sin seriously, to aggressively repent and remove all known obstacles to genuine righteousness, acknowledging that compromise with sin carries an ultimate and unbearable cost. For instance, if certain habits (e.g., specific entertainment, online activities) or environments consistently lead to ungodly thoughts or actions, Jesus’ teaching here compels the believer to completely sever ties with them, prioritizing purity and eternal salvation above temporary gratification.