Mark 9:49
What does Mark 9:49 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 9:49 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 9:49 means
Jesus states, inexplicably at first glance, that "every one shall be salted with fire." This enigmatic phrase connects to the refining and preserving qualities of salt, often associated with covenants, and the purifying, judgment qualities of fire. It suggests that believers, through suffering and refinement, are preserved and purified for God's purposes, while the wicked face the consuming, purifying judgment of eternal fire. It speaks to a divine process of sanctification or judgment for all.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For every one shall be salted with fire.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For every one shall be salted with fire.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Everyone will be salted with fire.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for every one with fire shall be salted, and every sacrifice with salt shall be salted.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Salt is good. But if the salt become unsavoury, wherewith will you season it? Have salt in you: and have peace among you.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.
Context
This verse presents a challenging, somewhat enigmatic statement, immediately following the vivid description of hell. It appears to broaden the theme of judgment and purification, connecting the concept of 'salting' (preservation or covenant) with 'fire' (purification or judgment). This abstract declaration sets up the subsequent teaching on the goodness of salt and the need for believers to maintain their spiritual distinctiveness.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezekiel 43:24
And thou shalt bring them near before Jehovah, and the priests shall cast salt upon them, and they shall offer them up for a burnt-offering unto Jehovah.
- Leviticus 2:13
And every oblation of thy meal-offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meal-offering: with all thine oblations thou shalt offer salt.
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