Matthew 18:8-9
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The gravity here isn't just about avoiding sin, but about radically severing the source of sin, even if it's something deeply ingrained like our hands or feet, because the consequence of clinging to sin is utter destruction in the "eternal fire."
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. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is speaking to his disciples about the serious consequences of causing others, especially the vulnerable ("little ones"), to stumble in their faith. He warns that it would be better for such a person to face a horrific death than to lead a believer astray, emphasizing how precious these followers are to God. Immediately following this, Jesus drives home the extreme importance of avoiding sin by using vivid, radical imagery of self-amputation to illustrate the necessity of sacrificing anything that leads to spiritual destruction.
Jesus doesn't hold back when talking about stumbling blocks. He uses extreme imagery to make a point about how serious it is to lead others astray, especially the vulnerable.
In Matthew 18, Jesus is speaking to his disciples, likely in response to their earlier dispute about who was the greatest. He pivots to talk about the danger of causing 'little ones'—those who are humble believers—to fall away.
Jesus uses shocking language about self-mutilation. It's not about literal violence, but about the absolute necessity of ruthlessly cutting away anything that threatens our eternal destiny.
Ask a follow-up
After warning about offending others, Jesus turns the focus inward. If something within you—even something as vital as a hand or foot—is leading you into sin and jeopardizing your eternal life, you must deal with it decisively.
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.
geenna · Greek Noun
The place of final, everlasting judgment and punishment for the wicked, characterized by separation from God.
This passage directly parallels Matthew 18:8, emphasizing the same radical amputation of anything that leads to sin and the consequence of 'unquenchable fire'.
Matthew 5:29Jesus uses the identical metaphor of cutting off a hand or plucking out an eye in the Sermon on the Mount, highlighting the severity of sin and the need for drastic measures to avoid eternal judgment.
Romans 8:13This verse speaks to the necessity of 'putting to death the deeds of the body' through the Spirit, which echoes the drastic, life-altering action required in Matthew 18:8 to overcome sinful tendencies.
Galatians 5:24The Apostle Paul's declaration that 'those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires' illustrates the intense spiritual warfare and self-denial that aligns with the imagery of extreme measures against 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…
The gravity here isn't just about avoiding sin, but about radically severing the source of sin, even if it's something deeply ingrained like our hands or feet, because the consequence of clinging to sin is utter destruction in the "eternal fire."
Jesus is speaking to his disciples about the serious consequences of causing others, especially the vulnerable ("little ones"), to stumble in their faith. He warns that it would be better for such a person to face a horrific death than to lead a believer astray, emphasizing how precious these followers are to God. Immediately following this, Jesus drives home the extreme importance of avoiding sin by using vivid, radical imagery of self-amputation to illustrate the necessity of sacrificing anything that leads to spiritual destruction.
Jesus is speaking to his disciples about the serious consequences of causing others, especially the vulnerable ("little ones"), to stumble in their faith. He warns that it would be better for such a person to face a horrific death than to lead a believer astray, emphasizing how precious these followers are to God. Immediately following this, Jesus drives home the extreme importance of avoiding sin by using vivid, radical imagery of self-amputation to illustrate the necessity of sacrificing anything that leads to spiritual 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. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear…" — The gravity here isn't just about avoiding sin, but about radically severing the source of sin, even if it's something deeply ingrained like our hands or feet, because the consequence of clinging t…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
