Mark 9 46

Mark 9:46 kjv

Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Mark 9:46 nkjv

where 'Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.'

Mark 9 verses

Mark 9 46 Meaning

Mark 9:46 portrays a horrifying and unceasing state of judgment. It describes a place where decay, represented by an undying worm, perpetually consumes, and a destructive fire never extinguishes. This vivid imagery warns of the severe, eternal consequences for those who persist in sin and reject God's pathway to life, emphasizing the irreversible nature of divine judgment.

Mark 9 46 Context

Mark 9:46 is part of Jesus' teaching on radical commitment and the severity of spiritual judgment, forming part of a discourse on sin and its dire consequences found within verses 43 and 48. Jesus passionately urges disciples to remove any source of sin, even body parts, rather than succumb to it and face the horrifying fate of being cast into Gehenna. The underlying historical context for "Gehenna" (the Greek term for "hell") is the Valley of Hinnom (Hebrew: Ge Hinnom) outside Jerusalem. This valley had a dark past, once a site of child sacrifice (Jer 7:31-32), and by Jesus' time, it had become a notorious dumping ground for refuse, dead animals, and even executed criminals. The fires there smoldered continually, and worms (maggots) perpetually fed on decaying matter, making it a vivid and potent metaphor for utter degradation, putrefaction, and unending, annihilating judgment. Jesus' strong words served as a critical warning against complacency toward sin and emphasized the holiness of God requiring ultimate accountability.

Mark 9 46 Word analysis

• where (ὅπου - hopou): A relational adverb indicating the location or state to which one is destined. It defines the specific, inescapable domain of judgment.
• their (αὐτῶν - autōn): A possessive pronoun specifying the unfortunate inhabitants of this dreadful place. It personalizes the experience of the impending judgment.
• worm (σκώληξ - skōlēx): Greek for a 'maggot' or 'larva'. This word vividly conjures images of putrefaction and decay, particularly associated with corruption of flesh in ancient refuse pits. It symbolizes an unending, loathsome consumption, implying perpetual internal torment or spiritual deterioration that does not cease.
• dieth not (οὐ τελευτᾷ - ou teleuta): Consists of 'οὐ' (ou), meaning 'not,' and 'τελευτᾷ' (teleuta), meaning 'comes to an end,' 'dies,' or 'is finished.' This continuous negation signifies a perpetual state, highlighting the unending nature of the worm's activity or the enduring torment. It means the process of decay or internal suffering is never-ending.
• and (καὶ - kai): A conjunction that joins the two facets of perpetual judgment—the worm and the fire—indicating that both contribute simultaneously to the unceasing misery.
• the fire (τὸ πῦρ - to pyr): Greek for 'fire.' In biblical context, fire often symbolizes divine judgment, cleansing, wrath, and intense suffering. Here, it denotes an active, tormenting, and destructive element of punishment.
• is not quenched (οὐ σβέννυται - ou sbennutai): Comprises 'οὐ' (ou), meaning 'not,' and 'σβέννυται' (sbennutai), meaning 'is extinguished' or 'is put out.' This phrase assures that the destructive force of the fire will not subside or consume its object to nothingness, but rather perpetually burn, indicating ceaseless and active punishment.

Word-groups/phrases analysis

• "where their worm dieth not": This chilling phrase depicts a state of ceaseless corruption and degradation. The "worm" implies ongoing decay and internal torment. It can symbolize the gnawing, perpetual agony of remorse, the consuming effects of unrepented sin, or the literal corruption of unburied flesh. The inability of the worm to die underscores the eternal, irreversible nature of this specific form of suffering or internal deterioration. It speaks to a deep, unending abhorrence and anguish that persists without end.
• "and the fire is not quenched": This second part complements the first, illustrating active, intense, and continuous external torment. "The fire" signifies the pain of judgment and the full extent of divine wrath. The declaration that it "is not quenched" emphasizes its everlasting duration. It will never burn out, consume to nothingness, or abate its tormenting power, thus highlighting the ceaseless nature of the conscious suffering and punishment in Gehenna. Together, these two phrases (worm and fire) create a powerful, dual image of internal degradation and external agony, both being perpetual and inescapable in the face of God's final judgment.

Mark 9 46 Bonus section

It is a crucial detail of biblical scholarship that Mark 9:46, along with verse 44, is largely considered by textual critics as a later scribal addition. While it appears in many traditional manuscripts (like the Textus Receptus, forming the basis for the KJV), it is omitted or bracketed in the earliest and most reliable Greek manuscripts (such as Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus). These verses likely entered the text as scribal harmonization, copying the exact phrase from Mark 9:48, which is attested in the earliest manuscripts and is itself a direct quote of Isaiah 66:24. Regardless of its specific textual history within Mark, the phrase "where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched" is authentically biblical and represents Jesus' consistent teaching on eternal judgment, reinforced by Isaiah 66:24 and parallels in Matthew's Gospel. The dual imagery of the "worm" and "fire" emphasizes the multi-faceted nature of eternal consequences: the worm symbolizing unending internal decay or spiritual death, and the fire representing active, external, and perpetual suffering or wrath. Both concepts underscore the unending, conscious nature of this state of separation from God.

Mark 9 46 Commentary

Mark 9:46 serves as a severe and non-negotiable warning from Jesus, underlining the gravity of choices concerning sin and righteousness. Drawn from Isaiah 66:24, the imagery describes an eternal state of suffering in Gehenna, a metaphorical place of ultimate divine judgment. The "worm that does not die" illustrates unending internal corruption, perhaps symbolizing perpetual remorse, a continually decaying existence, or deep spiritual anguish. Concurrently, the "fire that is not quenched" depicts continuous, active, and external torment, embodying God's persistent wrath. Combined, these metaphors vividly convey a conscious, unending, and inescapable punishment for those who reject the way of God and persist in sin. Jesus' stark depiction underscores the immense value of radical self-denial and the importance of choosing a path of righteousness to avoid such a terrifying and eternal destiny. It reinforces the holiness of God and the certainty of His judgment.