Matthew 18:8
And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This isn't just about drastic actions, but about recognizing that things we need to live – like our hands and feet – can become the very things that lead us astray. Jesus is highlighting how deeply we must guard against anything, no matter how essential it seems, that could possibly lead us to eternal destruction.
Just before this, Jesus had shown his disciples humility by making a child the example of greatness in the kingdom. Now, he urgently warns them against causing any of these "little ones"—those who believe in him—to stumble in their faith, even going so far as to say it would be better for such a person to be drowned with a millstone around their neck. This intense warning is immediately followed by equally drastic advice: if any part of you leads you into sin, it must be ruthlessly dealt with, like cutting off a hand or foot, to avoid eternal destruction.
Jesus uses extreme language to describe the consequences of causing others to stumble. What does this reveal about His heart for the vulnerable?
Jesus' teaching here is a stark warning, not a literal command for self-mutilation. The imagery of cutting off hands and feet is hyperbole, meant to convey the extreme seriousness of causing 'little ones' – those new in faith or humble in spirit – to sin.
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Jesus contrasts two destinations with stark finality. What does this choice mean for our present actions?
The core of Jesus' message lies in the ultimate destination: 'eternal fire' versus 'entering life.' This isn't just about a temporary punishment, but an eternal separation from God.
Understand the original words
zōē · Greek Noun
The state of existence in communion with God, encompassing both earthly spiritual life and the gift of eternal existence.
This passage repeats the core teaching from the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing the radical necessity of removing anything that leads to sin, even if it's as precious as a body part.
Mark 9:43-48This parallel account uses similar strong imagery of cutting off limbs to underscore the dire consequences of sin and the reality of eternal judgment.
Romans 8:13This verse directly addresses the need to 'put to death' the sinful desires and actions of the flesh, echoing the extreme measures Jesus advises in Matthew 18:8 for the sake of spiritual life.
1 Corinthians 6:13While not about self-mutilation, this passage highlights how the body is ultimately for the Lord, and pursuing sinful desires with our bodies leads to destruction, reinforcing the seriousness of what causes sin.
calvinMatthew 18:6-10: "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."
- But whosoever shall offend one of those little ones who believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were sunk to the bottom of the sea. 7. Woe to the world on account of offenses! for offenses must come; but woe to the man by whom the offe…
henryMatthew 18:7-14: "Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!"
18:7-14 Considering the cunning and malice of Satan, and the weakness and depravity of men's hearts, it is not possible but that there should be offences. God permits them for wise and holy ends, that those who are sincere, and those who are not, may be made known. Being told before, that there will be seducers, tempters, persecutors, and bad exampl…
This isn't just about drastic actions, but about recognizing that things we need to live – like our hands and feet – can become the very things that lead us astray. Jesus is highlighting how deeply we must guard against anything, no matter how essential it seems, that could possibly lead us to eternal destruction.
Just before this, Jesus had shown his disciples humility by making a child the example of greatness in the kingdom. Now, he urgently warns them against causing any of these "little ones"—those who believe in him—to stumble in their faith, even going so far as to say it would be better for such a person to be drowned with a millstone around their neck. This intense warning is immediately followed by equally drastic advice: if any part of you leads you into sin, it must be ruthlessly dealt with, like cutting off a hand or foot, to avoid eternal destruction.
Just before this, Jesus had shown his disciples humility by making a child the example of greatness in the kingdom. Now, he urgently warns them against causing any of these "little ones"—those who believe in him—to stumble in their faith, even going so far as to say it would be better for such a person to be drowned with a millstone around their neck. This intense warning is immediately followed by equally drastic advice: if any part of you leads you into sin, it must be ruthlessly dealt with, like cutting off a hand or foot, to avoid eternal destruction.
"And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire." — This isn't just about drastic actions, but about recognizing that things we need to live – like our hands and feet – can become the very things that lead us astray. Jesus is highlighting how deeply…
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