Devine Scripture

Mark 9:45

What does Mark 9:45 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 9:45 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 9:45 means

Continuing His radical teaching, Jesus declares that if one's foot, representing one's walk or path in life, causes one to stumble into sin, it is better to cut it off and enter eternal life maimed than to keep both feet and "be cast into hell." This continues the use of hyperbole to stress the critical importance of actively disengaging from sinful paths and choices, emphasizing that spiritual integrity and eternal salvation far outweigh physical wholeness.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And if thy foot cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life halt, rather than having thy two feet to be cast into hell.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And if thy foot cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life halt, rather than having thy two feet to be cast into hell.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And if your foot is a cause of trouble to you, let it be cut off: it is better for you to go into life with one foot than to have two feet and go into hell.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And if thy foot may cause thee to stumble, cut it off; it is better for thee to enter into the life lame, than having the two feet to be cast 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 foot serve as a snare to thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life lame, than having thy two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire unquenchable;

Context

This verse continues Jesus' powerful use of hyperbole, immediately following the warning about cutting off a stumbling hand. It reinforces the radical commitment required to avoid sin by now applying the same principle to one's feet, symbolizing one's life choices and walk. This parallel warning further emphasizes the severe consequences of unrepentant sin and the ultimate priority of eternal life over earthly comfort, leading directly to the warning about the eye.

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Cross references

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

  • 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.

  • Mark 9:43

    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.

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