Devine Scripture

Matthew 5:29

What does Matthew 5:29 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 5:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 5:29 means

To emphasize the absolute seriousness of sin and the radical commitment required for purity, Jesus uses a vivid and shocking hyperbole. If one's right eye, a symbol of what entices or causes sin, leads to sin (stumbling), it is better to metaphorically "pluck it out" and cast it away. The spiritual principle is to take drastic measures to eliminate anything that causes one to sin, even if it feels as essential as a body part, rather than letting the whole self be condemned eternally to hell.

Matthew 5:29 in context

Matthew 5 — The Beatitudes

Jesus opens his Sermon on the Mount with eight pronouncements that turn the world's value system upside down. Blessing belongs not to the proud and self-sufficient but to the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, the hungry for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted. In a few sentences he sketches the character of the citizens of the kingdom of heaven, and then calls them salt of the earth and light of the world.

  • Kingdom ethics
  • Inner righteousness
  • True blessedness
  • Light and salt

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body be cast into hell.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body be cast into hell.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And if your right eye is a cause of trouble to you, take it out and put it away from you; because it is better to undergo the loss of one part, than for all your body to go into hell.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`But, if thy right eye doth cause thee to stumble, pluck it out and cast from thee, for it is good to thee that one of thy members may perish, and not thy whole body be cast to gehenna.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And if thy right eye scandalize thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee. For it is expedient for thee that one of thy members should perish, rather than thy whole body be cast into hell.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But if thy right eye be a snare to thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members perish, and not thy whole body be cast into hell.

Context

This verse, along with verse 30, directly follows Jesus' radical redefinition of adultery to include lustful thoughts (verse 28). It underscores the extreme measures necessary to break free from sin's power and avoid eternal judgment, providing a powerful call to radical self-denial in pursuit of holiness, which then transitions to His teaching on divorce.

v.28but I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

v.29This passage

v.30And if thy right hand causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body go into hell.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 9:24

    For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

  • Galatians 5:24

    And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof.

  • Matthew 10:28

    And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

  • Matthew 16:26

    For what shall a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? or what shall a man give in exchange for his life?

  • Matthew 5:22

    but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of the hell of fire.

  • Matthew 18:8

    And if thy hand or thy foot causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed or halt, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire.

Sermon ideas from Matthew 5:29

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What Matthew 5:29 teaches us about kingdom ethics

  • What Matthew 5:29 teaches us about inner righteousness

  • What Matthew 5:29 teaches us about true blessedness

  • What Matthew 5:29 teaches us about light and salt

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