Matthew 18:9 Meaning and Explanation
“And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Even the eye, if it leads to sin, should be surrendered rather than lose eternal life.
What Does Matthew 18:9 Mean?
Jesus repeats the urgent image, now with the eye. If even the eye becomes a path into sin, it is better to lose it than to keep it and be cast into the fire. The eye is among the most precious of members, which makes the saying all the more striking.
Again the language is vivid rather than literal, pressing home how earnestly we must deal with what tempts us. The gate into life is worth any cost; the loss of the soul is worth no bargain. Christ calls us to value our eternal good above every passing thing, and to cut decisively at whatever would lead us away from Him.
Matthew 18:9 in the Original Language
geenna (γέεννα), 'hell' -- named from a valley outside Jerusalem, a figure for final judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 18:9
What does Matthew 18:9 mean?
Even the eye, if it leads to sin, should be surrendered rather than lose eternal life.