Saying 2 of 10
Better to lose an eye than your whole self
Jesus said it is better to lose a hand, a foot or an eye than to be thrown into Gehenna, where the fire is not quenched. He was showing how seriously to take sin, not asking anyone to harm themselves.
What Jesus said
In three Gospel passages Jesus says that it is better to enter life having lost a hand, a foot or an eye than to keep them and be thrown into Gehenna. In Mark He adds the words of Isaiah 66:24 about the worm that does not die and the fire that is not quenched.
29If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna. 30If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna.
Matthew 5:29-30 (WEB) · context
8If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life maimed or crippled, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire. 9If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the Gehenna of fire.
Matthew 18:8-9 (WEB) · context
43If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having your two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire, 44‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’ 45If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life lame, rather than having your two feet to be cast into Gehenna, into the fire that will never be quenched— 46‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’ 47If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out. It is better for you to enter into God’s Kingdom with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the Gehenna of fire, 48‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’
Mark 9:43-48 (WEB) · context
What He meant
This is a figure of speech, and the Bible never commands anyone to harm their body. Jesus is saying that sin is worth any sacrifice to be rid of, because what is at stake is life itself. The Bible also says where the power to change comes from: not from our own effort, but from God, who gives new life to everyone who trusts Christ.
24“They will go out, and look at the dead bodies of the men who have transgressed against me; for their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.”
Isaiah 66:24 (WEB) · context
17Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (WEB) · context
Where Christians disagree
- Christians agree that these words are a figure of speech and not a command to self-harm. If you are thinking about hurting yourself, please read the help page and reach out now: you matter.
The good news
Jesus came to save you from this
God loves you and gave His Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish.