Bible Questions and Answers

What is the meaning of Mark 9:43-49?

Mark 9:43-48 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched, 44 where their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched. 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— 46 where their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire 48 where their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.

Hell in context is the translation of the word ‘Gehenna’ which was a valley south of Jerusalem used as a rubbish tip. That which was combustible was burned; that which was not burned was eaten by maggots.

• Fire not quenched – the fire will not be extinguished until it has consumed all that is to be burned.
• Worm does not die – the worm will not die until it has consumed all the flesh that it finds to eat.

Both are used as metaphors for the complete destruction of those rejected at the judgment seat of Christ.

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn