Mark 9 47

Mark 9:47 kjv

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:

Mark 9:47 nkjv

And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire?

Mark 9:47 niv

And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,

Mark 9:47 esv

And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell,

Mark 9:47 nlt

And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. It's better to enter the Kingdom of God with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,

Mark 9 verses

Mark 9 47 Meaning

Mark 9:47 declares that radical, uncompromising action against any personal source of sin is essential for entering the Kingdom of God and avoiding eternal destruction. It teaches that the spiritual well-being of the individual, leading to eternal life, far outweighs any physical or material integrity that might lead one into sin and subsequent judgment. The verse emphasizes extreme seriousness concerning sin and its eternal consequences, advocating for immediate and decisive removal of anything, however valuable or intimately connected to oneself, that causes one to stumble spiritually.

Mark 9 47 Context

Mark 9:47 is part of a series of warnings from Jesus to His disciples concerning the gravity of sin and the uncompromising nature of true discipleship. Immediately preceding this verse (Mark 9:42), Jesus warns strongly against causing "little ones" (believers) to stumble. The language then shifts to self-examination and self-discipline in verses 43-48, where Jesus uses hyperbole to describe the necessity of eliminating anything—be it a hand, foot, or eye—that leads to sin. The consistent phrase "it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God..." links physical sacrifice (even metaphorical) to eternal salvation. This passage contrasts entry into God's Kingdom with being "cast into hell fire," establishing a clear dichotomy of eternal destinies tied to radical obedience. Historically, this teaching would have been heard by a Jewish audience familiar with the literal Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna) outside Jerusalem, used as a perpetually burning refuse dump, which served as a powerful symbolic representation of divine judgment and eternal destruction.

Mark 9 47 Word analysis

• And if thine eye offend thee,

  • if: Introduces a conditional statement, highlighting a potential source of stumbling.
  • thine eye: (Greek: ophthalmos, ὀφθαλμός). Symbolically represents a primary point of temptation, desire, perception, or the gateway through which sin can enter the soul (e.g., lust of the eyes). It signifies something deeply personal and valuable, essential to one's physical existence.
  • offend thee: (Greek: skandalizō, σκανδαλίζῃ). Meaning "to cause to stumble," "to trip up," "to entice to sin," or "to lead into spiritual ruin." It refers to any aspect of one's own being or experience that becomes a hindrance or temptation to sin. This is a critical term, indicating active temptation.

• pluck it out:

  • pluck it out: (Greek: exele, ἔξελε). A strong, decisive, imperative verb meaning "to tear out," "to dig out," or "to extract." It conveys extreme, urgent, and deliberate action. This is clear hyperbole; Jesus is not commanding literal self-mutilation but rather demanding a radical, merciless eradication of anything that hinders one's walk with God, no matter how cherished or painful its removal.

• it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye,

  • it is better for thee: Establishes a divine cost-benefit analysis, highlighting the supreme value of spiritual salvation over physical wholeness or convenience.
  • kingdom of God: (Greek: basileia tou theou, βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ). Refers to the sovereign reign of God, both its present spiritual reality and its future full manifestation, signifying eternal life and salvation within God's redeemed community.
  • with one eye: Figuratively implies being spiritually complete and accepted by God, even if it entails severe personal sacrifice or deprivation in the earthly life. The physical "defect" signifies radical spiritual purity gained through discipline.

• than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:

  • two eyes: Represents a state of physical completeness or adherence to earthly pleasures and temptations, but spiritually dangerous if it leads to sin.
  • to be cast into: Implies a decisive, unavoidable judgment and expulsion.
  • hell fire: (Greek: geennan tou pyros, γέενναν τοῦ πυρός). Gehenna is derived from "the Valley of Hinnom," a valley southwest of Jerusalem historically associated with child sacrifice (2 Kgs 23:10) and later used as a rubbish dump where fires constantly burned. In Jesus' time, it became a powerful Jewish metaphor for eternal judgment, divine wrath, and ultimate destruction, often involving perpetual burning and gnawing worms (as per Mk 9:48, referencing Isa 66:24). It denotes eternal spiritual condemnation and torment.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out": This phrase exemplifies hyperbolic teaching common in ancient near eastern cultures, stressing the extreme gravity of sin and the need for immediate, decisive action. It emphasizes internal purification.
  • "it is better for thee...than having two eyes...": This sets up a stark, eternally significant contrast. It underscores that any earthly cost, even perceived "mutilation" or loss, is infinitely preferable to eternal separation from God and enduring His judgment.

Mark 9 47 Bonus section

Jesus' use of hyperbole in this passage (and also Mt 5:29-30; 18:8-9) is characteristic of His teaching method. It served to grab attention and imprint the truth with undeniable force, emphasizing the depth of commitment required. This radical language communicates the severity of spiritual judgment and the supreme value of the soul's salvation. It implies a personal responsibility to examine one's own life and temptations deeply, rather than blaming external circumstances. The teaching resonates with the Old Testament emphasis on heart-purity over external ritual (e.g., Ps 51:10; Isa 1:16). The "eye" here is not just about what one sees, but also about intent, desire, and the direction of one's inner being. It is a call for integrity of spiritual vision.

Mark 9 47 Commentary

Mark 9:47 delivers Jesus' stark message about the radical commitment required for genuine discipleship and entry into God's Kingdom. It is a potent hyperbole, a figure of speech not meant to be taken literally, but to shock the hearer into understanding the extreme gravity of sin. Jesus is not advocating physical self-mutilation, which would contradict the sanctity of the body (1 Cor 6:19-20) and could not purify the heart anyway (Mt 15:19). Rather, the "eye" represents any source of temptation, any desire, person, or possession, however valuable, that leads one to sin and stumble spiritually.

The imperative to "pluck it out" signifies the ruthless, decisive spiritual surgery necessary to sever ties with sin's origins. It calls for unyielding self-denial and spiritual discipline. The message is that compromising with sin, even seemingly small or appealing sins, leads to eternal destruction ("hell fire" / Gehenna), a terrifying reality of separation from God. Conversely, radical separation from sin, no matter how costly or painful, secures eternal life ("kingdom of God"). This passage highlights the internal battle against sin, urging believers to identify and eradicate their personal "stumbling blocks" to pursue holiness above all else. It is a profound call to prioritize spiritual integrity and eternal destiny over temporary comforts, pleasures, or even physical wholeness.