Matthew 5:29 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus uses vivid imagery to urge decisive removal of whatever leads us into sin.
What Does Matthew 5:29 Mean?
In striking, deliberately extreme language, Jesus says that if the right eye causes one to stumble, it would be better to pluck it out than to let the whole body be lost. The imagery is not a call to literal mutilation but a vivid demand for radical seriousness about sin.
The point is the surpassing worth of the soul. Whatever leads us into sin, however precious or near to us, must be dealt with decisively rather than coddled. Jesus would have us cut off temptation at its source. His startling words measure how high the stakes are and how earnestly we should pursue holiness, sparing no comfort that endangers our life with God.
Matthew 5:29 in the Original Language
skandalizo (σκανδαλίζω), 'offend' -- to cause to stumble or fall into sin, like a trap that trips someone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 5:29
What does Matthew 5:29 mean?
Jesus uses vivid imagery to urge decisive removal of whatever leads us into sin.