King James Version

What Does Mark 9:43 Mean?

Mark 9:43 in the King James Version says “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go in... — study this verse from Mark chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And 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: offend: or, cause thee to offend

Mark 9:43 · KJV


Context

41

For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

42

And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

43

And 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: offend: or, cause thee to offend

44

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

45

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: offend: or, cause thee to offend


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus commanded radical action against sin: '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' (ἐὰν σκανδαλίζῃ σε ἡ χείρ σου, ἀπόκοψον αὐτήν· καλόν ἐστίν σε κυλλὸν εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν ζωὴν ἢ τὰς δύο χεῖρας ἔχοντα ἀπελθεῖν εἰς τὴν γέενναν, εἰς τὸ πῦρ τὸ ἄσβεστον). This is hyperbolic language—Jesus doesn't command literal self-mutilation (bodily mutilation wouldn't cure sinful hearts). Rather, He emphasizes that avoiding hell justifies any earthly cost. 'Cut off' (apokopson, ἀπόκοψον) means ruthlessly eliminate whatever causes sin. Hell (geenna, γέενναν, from 'Valley of Hinnom' where child sacrifice occurred) is eternal conscious punishment, described as 'fire that never shall be quenched' (pyr to asbeston, πῦρ τὸ ἄσβεστον). Better to lose anything—even precious body parts—than face eternal judgment. This teaching confronts contemporary minimization of sin and hell.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Gehenna (Valley of Hinnom) was Jerusalem's garbage dump, continually burning. It had dark history as site of child sacrifice to Molech (2 Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 7:31), making it apt symbol for final judgment. Jesus used Gehenna as image for hell—place of eternal punishment. First-century Judaism recognized hell's reality (Daniel 12:2; intertestamental literature describes punishment). Jesus' teaching on hell is extensive (Matthew 5:22, 29-30; 10:28; 13:42; 18:9; 23:33; 25:41, 46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 12:5; 16:23). The phrase 'fire that never shall be quenched' emphasizes eternal duration—not temporary purgation but everlasting punishment. This contradicts annihilationism. Reformed theology affirms hell as eternal conscious punishment, though specifics of 'fire' may be metaphorical for indescribable suffering.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' hyperbolic language about cutting off body parts emphasize the supreme importance of avoiding hell at any cost?
  2. What does Jesus' repeated, explicit teaching on hell reveal about the reality and seriousness of eternal punishment?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 31 words
Καὶ1 of 31

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐὰν2 of 31

if

G1437

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

σκανδαλίζῃ3 of 31

offend

G4624

to entrap, i.e., trip up (figuratively, stumble (transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure)

σε4 of 31

thee

G4571

thee

5 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χεῖρας6 of 31

hand

G5495

the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)

σου7 of 31

thy

G4675

of thee, thy

ἀπόκοψον8 of 31

cut

G609

to amputate; reflexively (by irony) to mutilate (the privy parts)

αὐτήν·9 of 31

it

G846

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

καλόν10 of 31

better

G2570

properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e., valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished

σοι11 of 31

for thee

G4671

to thee

ἐστίν12 of 31

it is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

κυλλὸν13 of 31

maimed

G2948

rocking about, i.e., crippled (maimed, in feet or hands)

εἰς14 of 31

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὴν15 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ζωὴν16 of 31

life

G2222

life (literally or figuratively)

εἰσελθεῖν17 of 31

to enter

G1525

to enter (literally or figuratively)

18 of 31

than

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

τὰς19 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δύο20 of 31

two

G1417

"two"

χεῖρας21 of 31

hand

G5495

the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)

ἔχοντα22 of 31

having

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

ἀπελθεῖν23 of 31

to go

G565

to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively

εἰς24 of 31

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὴν25 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γέενναν26 of 31

hell

G1067

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

εἰς27 of 31

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸ28 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πῦρ29 of 31

the fire

G4442

"fire" (literally or figuratively, specially, lightning)

τὸ30 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἄσβεστον31 of 31

that never shall be quenched

G762

not extinguished, i.e., (by implication) perpetual


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 9:43 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 9:43 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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