Final Thoughts on Mark 9:43-48
Of all the sayings of Jesus thought to be severe, none are more frightening or grim than His remarks about cutting off a hand or a foot, or plucking out one’s eye. Jesus uses extreme language to make the point that sin is extremely serious and its cost is very high. As Romans 6:23 declares, “For the wages of sin is death, . . .”
Yet Jesus words in the context are to be taken metaphorically as no amount of self-mutilation can deal with sin, which is an issue of the heart. Only Christ alone is able to save us from our sins.
, . . . even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. I Thessalonians 1:10
Bethel Bible Church Hawaii 