Mark 9:43
Verse
Context
Temptations and Trespasses
42But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be thrown into the sea. 43If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two hands and go into hell, into the unquenchable fire.
Sermons






Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Thy hand - foot - eye - cause thee to offend; - See the notes on Mat 5:29-30 (note). The fire that never shall be quenched - That is, the inextinguishable fire. This clause is wanting in L, three others, the Syriac, and later Persic. Some eminent critics suppose it to be a spurious reading; but the authorities which are for it, are by no means counterbalanced by those which are against it. The same clause in Mar 9:45, is omitted in BCL, seven others, Syriac, later Persic, Coptic, and one Itala. Eternal fire is the expression of Matthew.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell--See Mat 5:29-30. The only difference between the words there and here is that there they refer to impure inclinations; here, to an ambitious disposition, an irascible or quarrelsome temper, and the like: and the injunction is to strike at the root of such dispositions and cut off the occasions of them.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. The passage referred to, is in Isa 66:24, and as there, the words are spoken of such, as transgressed against the Lord; so here, of such as offended any of Christ's little ones, or were offended by an hand, a foot, or eye, and retained them: by their worm is meant, their conscience; for as a worm that is continually gnawing upon the entrails of a man, gives him exquisite pain; so the consciences of sinners, will be continually flying in their faces, bringing their sins to remembrance, accusing them of them, upbraiding them with them, aggravating them, tormenting them for them, filling them with dreadful anguish and misery, with twinging remorses, and severe reflections, and which will never have an end. This will be always the case; conscience will be ever distressing, racking, and torturing them; it will never cease, nor cease doing this office, and so the Chaldee paraphrase of Isa 66:24 renders this phrase, , "their souls shall not die"; but shall ever continue in the dreadful torments and unspeakable horrors of a corroding conscience; and by "the fire" may be meant the fire of divine wrath let into their souls, which will never be extinguished; and so Jarchi interprets the phrase in Isa 66:24, "their fire", "in hell". It is a tradition of the Jews (l), that the light, fire, which God created on the second day, "there is no quenching it for ever"; as it is said, "for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched", Isa 66:24, the passage which is here referred to; the reason they give is, because it is the fire of hell; the sense of which is sometimes given by the Jewish doctors thus (m); "their worm shall not die" from the body, "and the fire shall not be quenched" from the soul. (l) T. Bab. Pesachim. fol. 54. 1. & Gloss. in ib. (m) Zohar in Exod. fol. 62. 3.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
9:43 hell: Greek Gehenna, referring to the Valley of Hinnom, which bordered Jerusalem on the southwest. It was a garbage dump for the city, and the continual burning of refuse there became a metaphor for the final place of judgment for the wicked. 9:43-48 Most of the best manuscripts do not include 9:44, 46, but a few include them. These two verses were almost certainly copied from 9:48 and were not in the original text of Mark.
Mark 9:43
Temptations and Trespasses
42But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be thrown into the sea. 43If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two hands and go into hell, into the unquenchable fire.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Old Time Religion
By Vance Havner4.4K20:50RighteousnessEXO 20:3ISA 66:24MAT 12:30MRK 9:43LUK 11:23In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the state of society and the abundance of leisure time that people have. He emphasizes the importance of knowing certain truths rather than being unsure about many things. The speaker firmly believes in the Bible as the word of God and highlights the significance of love and following the Ten Commandments. He also mentions the idea that one cannot break the law of God, but rather, they break themselves against it. The sermon concludes with the notion that true goodness lies in salvation rather than in one's own goodness or badness.
Marks of a True Conversion (Become as Little Children to Enter the Kingdom of Heaven)
By George Whitefield3.6K53:44Audio BooksMAT 18:3MRK 9:43JHN 13:34ROM 14:191CO 6:9JAS 4:81JN 1:9In this sermon by George Whitfield, he begins by urging the congregation to examine their own souls and determine if they have truly been converted. He emphasizes the urgency of this self-reflection, as death can come unexpectedly and many may be carried into an unalterable state. Whitfield encourages the listeners to pray for God to search and try their hearts, and to reveal whether they are truly converted or not. He concludes by offering Jesus as the way of escape and the one who can convert them, urging them to come to Christ and be part of his heavenly kingdom.
Eternal Hell (2 of 2)
By Art Katz1.7K39:47Hell1KI 18:21MAT 12:30MRK 9:43MRK 16:16ACT 4:12HEB 10:312PE 3:10In this sermon, the preacher recounts a story of a man who escaped from a concentration camp and came to their community with a warning. The man described seeing fire and tried to warn the people, but they reacted with fear and violence, punching a woman who also saw the fire. The preacher emphasizes the importance of establishing a relationship with God in this life to avoid eternal damnation. He urges the listeners to abandon their human notions and embrace the truth of a living God. The sermon highlights the need for a warning to be spread across the earth, comparing it to the role of Elijah in the Bible.
The Neglected Place Called Hell
By David Legge1.6K42:14PSA 9:17PRO 14:27MAT 25:41MRK 9:43LUK 16:19JHN 3:16ACT 4:12ROM 6:23HEB 9:27REV 20:15This sermon delves into the neglected truth of the reality of hell, emphasizing the importance of understanding its existence as a real place of torment. Through the story in Luke 16, the speaker vividly describes the consequences of rejecting faith in Jesus Christ and the eternal separation from God in hell. The sermon passionately urges listeners to consider the seriousness of their spiritual condition and the urgent need to turn to Christ for salvation to avoid the eternal consequences of sin.
Christ Our Life - Part 2
By Art Katz1.4K22:12ChristMRK 9:43In this sermon, the speaker recounts a powerful experience he had while preaching at the University of Illinois. He describes how he witnessed a man wither and shrink away after he spoke, and how this led to seven days of intense meetings at the university. The speaker also mentions a debate with a philosophy professor and the impact his preaching had on Jewish students. He concludes by emphasizing the importance of every moment and every word spoken, as they can have eternal consequences.
God’s Wrath: Vengeance Is Mine, I Will Repay, Says the Lord
By John Piper1.4K47:52DAN 12:2MRK 9:43ROM 12:19REV 6:15In this sermon, John Piper discusses the eternal wrath of God. He emphasizes that God's wrath has no end and is described as unquenchable fire. Piper also highlights that God's wrath is terrible beyond human comprehension and is deserved, making it just and right. However, he emphasizes that there is a way to escape God's wrath through the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ. Overall, Piper urges listeners to take refuge in Christ and find assurance of salvation and peace.
Hell #01: Why Consider It?
By Edward Donnelly7191:06:32HellMAT 7:13MAT 10:28MAT 25:41MRK 9:43JHN 3:36JHN 14:6JAS 3:6In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding and studying the concept of hell. He highlights the reality of God's existence and our accountability to Him. The speaker acknowledges the discomfort and heaviness that comes with contemplating the fate of the damned, but stresses the necessity of addressing this topic. He presents four reasons why thinking about hell is crucial: the sheer number of people entering their eternal destination, the abundance of biblical references to hell, the emphasis Jesus placed on the topic, and the personal relevance of death to each individual.
Two Roads Two Destinies 09 Ireland st.chapel
By Worth Ellis67143:24GEN 7:22MAT 18:8MRK 9:43In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being active and engaged in the word of God. He criticizes those who are complacent and just going through the motions of religious activities. The preacher warns that being busy with worldly distractions and not focusing on salvation can lead to damnation. He highlights the prevalence of amusement and constant distractions in today's society, which hinder people from truly meditating on and keeping the word of God. The sermon urges listeners to prioritize their spiritual lives and not be deceived by the allure of worldly pursuits.
Hell Is Real - William Blackburn
By From the Pulpit & Classic Sermons33225:04RadioMAT 5:3MRK 9:43LUK 16:19JHN 3:16In this sermon, William Blackburn emphasizes the importance of being concerned for the salvation of others. He discusses the reality of hell as described in the Bible and aims to awaken Christians to the urgency of reaching out to the lost. Blackburn shares stories of horrifying deaths, such as a man being set on fire and a school building burning down, to illustrate the pain and suffering that can occur in this life. He concludes by expressing his desire to take a mission trip to hell in order to bring back a vision of it and inspire global evangelism.
3 Things Jesus Said About Hell
By Shane Idleman2942:48HellThe Urgency of the GospelMAT 5:22MAT 10:28MAT 25:41MRK 9:43LUK 16:23JHN 3:18JHN 14:6ROM 3:232TH 1:9REV 21:8Shane Idleman addresses the difficult topic of hell in his sermon '3 Things Jesus Said About Hell,' emphasizing that Jesus spoke more about hell than any other biblical figure. He highlights three key points: the existence of hell, the fear of hell, and the fact that going to hell is a choice. Idleman stresses the importance of understanding the gravity of sin and the necessity of accepting Christ's sacrifice to avoid condemnation. He encourages believers to have compassion for the lost and to actively pray for those who do not know Christ, reminding them that the gospel is urgent and always a priority.
Ecclesiastes 8:11
By Chuck Smith0Fear Of The LordJustice Of GodPSA 37:1PRO 16:6ECC 8:11ISA 40:27MAT 10:30MRK 9:43Chuck Smith addresses the apparent injustice in life where the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer, emphasizing that the lack of immediate judgment on evil leads to fatal misconceptions among the wicked. He warns that many believe God is unaware, uncaring, or will not judge their actions, which is a grave mistake. Smith reassures that those who fear God will ultimately be well, contrasting their fate with that of the wicked who live without the fear of God. He highlights the importance of recognizing God's omniscience and the consequences of sin, urging listeners to choose the path of righteousness.
To Hell and Back
By Jack Hyles0MAT 25:41MRK 9:43REV 20:13REV 21:8Jack Hyles delivers a detailed Bible study on Hell, emphasizing the importance of understanding its reality and consequences. He contrasts the suffering of Hell with the hope of Heaven, stressing the need to preach about both to provide a balanced perspective. Hyles explains the reason, location, prophecy, duration, and various sufferings of Hell, urging listeners to consider the eternal consequences. He passionately calls for repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as the only path to avoid Hell and secure a place in Heaven.
John Wesley's Explanatory Notes - Matthew 18
By John Wesley0ForgivenessHumilityMAT 5:29MAT 6:14MAT 10:40MAT 16:19MAT 18:1MAT 19:14MRK 9:43LUK 17:3LUK 19:10John Wesley expounds on Matthew 18, emphasizing the necessity of humility and childlike faith to enter the kingdom of heaven. He warns against causing offenses and stresses the importance of addressing wrongs directly and privately, following Christ's prescribed steps for reconciliation. Wesley highlights God's care for the 'little ones' and the severe consequences of failing to forgive others, drawing a parallel between our forgiveness from God and our obligation to forgive others. He concludes with a powerful reminder of the weight of our offenses against God and the importance of genuine forgiveness in our relationships.
Sinners in Zion Tenderly Warned
By Jonathan Edwards0NUM 14:22ISA 33:14MRK 9:43REV 14:10Jonathan Edwards preaches a powerful sermon warning sinners in Zion about the fearful consequences that will surprise them in the future, emphasizing the terror of being cast into a devouring fire and everlasting burnings. He distinguishes between true godly individuals and sinners in Zion, who are hypocrites, and highlights the severe judgments and wrath of God against the latter. Edwards urges sinners in Zion to repent and seek refuge from the wrath to come, especially during the present outpouring of the Spirit, as missing this opportunity may lead to eternal damnation.
Being Crowned
By Clement of Rome0MAT 25:41MRK 9:431CO 9:242TI 4:7HEB 12:1Clement of Rome urges believers to strive earnestly in the incorruptible race of faith, emphasizing the need for diligence and perseverance to receive the crown of glory. He compares this spiritual race to a physical contest where only those who have labored hard and striven gloriously will be crowned. Clement encourages believers to run the straight course, reminding them that those who act unfairly in this contest will face severe consequences. He warns of the eternal consequences for those who do not preserve their faith, quoting scriptures about the unquenchable fire and eternal punishment.
The Two Cries and the Two Answers.
By Horatius Bonar0MAT 5:22MAT 10:28MAT 18:9MAT 23:15MAT 23:33MRK 9:43LUK 12:5JAS 3:6John MacArthur preaches about the significance of Geenna, the valley of Hinnom, as a symbol of the future home of unrepentant wicked individuals, likened to a cosmic garbage dump where sinners will find their final abode. Geenna, synonymous with the lake of fire, is a place of eternal punishment for the ungodly, contrasting with the righteous who will enter eternal life. The Valley of Hinnom, associated with pagan sacrifices, serves as a vivid illustration of the eternal fires of hell, emphasizing the need to heed Jesus' warnings against persistent sin and ungodliness.
Hell
By Richard Sipley0PSA 9:17MAT 10:28MAT 25:41MRK 9:43REV 21:8Dick Sipley preaches about the reality of hell as depicted in the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31. He emphasizes that hell is a conscious existence of torment, where the spiritual part of a being goes, with eternal flames that burn the spirit but not the body. Those who end up in hell will have a perfect memory of every sin committed, experiencing eternal torment and separation from God.
Get Out of My Sight!
By Thomas Brooks0Reality of HellEternal JudgmentMAT 25:41MRK 9:43Thomas Brooks delivers a sobering sermon on the reality of hell, emphasizing that many deny its existence until they face its horrors firsthand. He warns that the final words of Christ to the ungodly will be a terrifying rejection, commanding them to depart into eternal fire, a fate filled with unending torment and despair. Brooks vividly describes the eternal nature of hell's punishment, highlighting that the suffering there is not only extreme but everlasting, with no hope of relief or companionship. He stresses the gravity of God's justice, which demands that sinners face eternal consequences for their unrepentant actions. The sermon serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness of sin and the reality of divine judgment.
A Pure Gospel
By Catherine Booth0MRK 9:43LUK 15:17JHN 3:16ACT 26:15ROM 2:42CO 5:17EPH 2:8HEB 11:6JAS 2:171JN 1:9Catherine Booth preaches about the importance of a Pure Gospel, emphasizing the necessity of abandoning evil ways and turning to God as a condition for receiving forgiveness of sins and inheritance among the sanctified. She uses powerful illustrations like the Prodigal Son to highlight the need for a change of heart and mind in order to be restored to God's love and obedience. Catherine stresses the significance of surrendering our wills, renouncing idols, and embracing righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ for salvation and restoration.
The Light of the New Covenant
By Richard E. Bieber0GEN 15:7MAT 7:11MRK 9:43LUK 11:13ACT 2:1Richard E. Bieber emphasizes the importance of the Bible in our daily lives, comparing it to essential sustenance for our souls. He warns against misusing the Bible to justify self-righteousness and urges humility in approaching its truths. Bieber highlights the paradoxes found in Scripture, such as the dual nature of Jesus as both God and man, and how these contradictions lead to a deeper understanding of God's glory. He stresses the need to embrace the divine love and wrath revealed in the Bible, as well as the necessity of living by the light of the New Covenant that shines through the sacrifices made for us.
Of Hell
By John Wesley0Divine MercyEternal JudgmentMRK 9:43John Wesley delivers a powerful sermon on the reality of hell, emphasizing the eternal consequences of sin and the importance of heeding God's warnings. He highlights the repeated warnings of Jesus about hell's unquenchable fire and the never-dying worm, urging even the faithful to reflect on the severity of divine judgment. Wesley explains that the punishment of loss and the punishment of sense are both integral to the experience of hell, where souls are eternally separated from God and tormented by their own guilt and the absence of joy. He calls for a deep appreciation of God's mercy, reminding listeners that they have been spared from such fate and should respond with gratitude and repentance. The sermon serves as a sobering reminder of the stakes involved in our spiritual lives.
Could Every Damned Sinner Weep a Whole Ocean!
By Thomas Brooks0Eternal JudgmentThe Reality of HellMRK 9:43REV 20:10Thomas Brooks delivers a powerful sermon on the eternal torment of hell, emphasizing that the fires of hell are unquenchable and everlasting, unlike earthly fires that can be extinguished. He warns that no amount of tears or time can alleviate the suffering of the damned, who are bound in eternal darkness and punishment. Brooks highlights the seriousness of hell, urging listeners to recognize it as a real and terrifying reality, not to be taken lightly. He poignantly illustrates the despair of those in hell, who would wish for death but find it forever out of reach. The sermon serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the need for repentance.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Thy hand - foot - eye - cause thee to offend; - See the notes on Mat 5:29-30 (note). The fire that never shall be quenched - That is, the inextinguishable fire. This clause is wanting in L, three others, the Syriac, and later Persic. Some eminent critics suppose it to be a spurious reading; but the authorities which are for it, are by no means counterbalanced by those which are against it. The same clause in Mar 9:45, is omitted in BCL, seven others, Syriac, later Persic, Coptic, and one Itala. Eternal fire is the expression of Matthew.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell--See Mat 5:29-30. The only difference between the words there and here is that there they refer to impure inclinations; here, to an ambitious disposition, an irascible or quarrelsome temper, and the like: and the injunction is to strike at the root of such dispositions and cut off the occasions of them.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. The passage referred to, is in Isa 66:24, and as there, the words are spoken of such, as transgressed against the Lord; so here, of such as offended any of Christ's little ones, or were offended by an hand, a foot, or eye, and retained them: by their worm is meant, their conscience; for as a worm that is continually gnawing upon the entrails of a man, gives him exquisite pain; so the consciences of sinners, will be continually flying in their faces, bringing their sins to remembrance, accusing them of them, upbraiding them with them, aggravating them, tormenting them for them, filling them with dreadful anguish and misery, with twinging remorses, and severe reflections, and which will never have an end. This will be always the case; conscience will be ever distressing, racking, and torturing them; it will never cease, nor cease doing this office, and so the Chaldee paraphrase of Isa 66:24 renders this phrase, , "their souls shall not die"; but shall ever continue in the dreadful torments and unspeakable horrors of a corroding conscience; and by "the fire" may be meant the fire of divine wrath let into their souls, which will never be extinguished; and so Jarchi interprets the phrase in Isa 66:24, "their fire", "in hell". It is a tradition of the Jews (l), that the light, fire, which God created on the second day, "there is no quenching it for ever"; as it is said, "for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched", Isa 66:24, the passage which is here referred to; the reason they give is, because it is the fire of hell; the sense of which is sometimes given by the Jewish doctors thus (m); "their worm shall not die" from the body, "and the fire shall not be quenched" from the soul. (l) T. Bab. Pesachim. fol. 54. 1. & Gloss. in ib. (m) Zohar in Exod. fol. 62. 3.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
9:43 hell: Greek Gehenna, referring to the Valley of Hinnom, which bordered Jerusalem on the southwest. It was a garbage dump for the city, and the continual burning of refuse there became a metaphor for the final place of judgment for the wicked. 9:43-48 Most of the best manuscripts do not include 9:44, 46, but a few include them. These two verses were almost certainly copied from 9:48 and were not in the original text of Mark.