Devine Scripture

Mark 9:43

What does Mark 9:43 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 9:43 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 9:43 means

Jesus employs hyperbole to warn His disciples about the radical measures needed to avoid sin that causes one to stumble and ultimately leads to hell. He states that if one's hand, capable of action, causes one to sin, it is better to cut it off and enter eternal life maimed than to keep both hands and face eternal punishment in "unquenchable fire." This forceful imagery emphasizes the extreme seriousness of sin and the urgent necessity of severing ties with anything that leads to spiritual ruin.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And if thy hand cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed, rather than having thy two hands to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And if thy hand cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed, rather than having thy two hands to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And if your hand is a cause of trouble to you, let it be cut off; it is better for you to go into life with one hand than to have two hands and go into hell, into the eternal fire.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And if thy hand may cause thee to stumble, cut it off; it is better for thee maimed to enter into the life, than having the two hands, to go away to the gehenna, to the fire--the unquenchable--

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And if thy hand serve as a snare to thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having thy two hands to go away into hell, into the fire unquenchable;

Context

This verse directly follows the severe warning about causing others to stumble, now shifting the focus to personal sin and radical self-denial. It is the first in a series of shocking exhortations using body parts as metaphors. This vivid, extreme imagery underscores the absolute priority of avoiding hell at all costs, setting the tone for similar warnings about the foot and eye, emphasizing the gravity of sin and its eternal consequences.

v.42And whosoever shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it were better for him if a great millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

v.43This passage

v.44

Cross references

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

  • Titus 2:12

    instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world;

  • Matthew 15:30

    And there came unto him great multitudes, having with them the lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and they cast them down at his feet; and he healed them:

  • Galatians 5:24

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

  • Deuteronomy 13:6

    If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, that is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;

  • 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.

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