Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not extinguished.
και εαν ο πους σου σκανδαλιζη σε αποκοψον αυτον καλον εστιν σοι σε εισελθειν εις την ζωην χωλον η τους δυο ποδας εχοντα βληθηναι εις την γεενναν εις το πυρ το ασβεστον
7 Church Fathers comment on this verse
The torment experienced by sinners is akin to a worm and fire, representing the conscience within each person and the recollection of the despicable actions committed during earthly existence. It eats away like a worm and blazes like fire.
Neither the grinding of teeth nor eternal flames nor worms possess a physical essence. Just as the consequences of poorly digested food lead to fever and writhing, the accumulation of sins upon sins results in chaos. If an individual fails to cleanse himself of his transgressions through disciplined abstinence, he risks being overwhelmed by both past and present wrongdoings, consumed by a fire of his own making and devoured by the worms born of his own actions. Isaiah declares, “Walk in the light of your fire, and in the flame which ye have kindled” (Isaiah 50:11) — this fire stems from the anguish of wrongdoing. Furthermore, it is akin to a worm that emerges due to the unrecognized sins of the soul, piercing the heart and conscience of the guilty, gnawing away at their innermost being.
These worms seem to arise from within the individual, as if self-generated from the very essence of the sinner. The Lord conveyed this through Isaiah, stating: “And they shall see the corpses of men who have departed from Me, and their worm shall not die, neither shall the fire be quenched” (Isaiah 66:24).
After discussing the essential nature of self-humiliation and addressing the inquiry raised by John, the Lord emphasizes the importance of being cautious not to lead anyone, even the least member of Christ's kingdom, into temptation. This teaching may serve as a continuation of the admonition regarding the disputes encountered along the way, which inevitably involve the risk of sin for some individuals. Just as every willingness to welcome a messenger in My name is valuable to Me, even if it is a child, so too I proclaim a dire warning to anyone who might attempt to mislead or entice any member of My kingdom, regardless of their stature among the faithful.
This act is so grievous that it is likened to a heavy millstone, traditionally turned by a donkey, being tied around the offender’s neck and cast into the depths of the sea. If only such punishment could suffice, the situation would be manageable. Woe to the world for its temptations, which harbor even the slightest worldly influence. While temptations are unavoidable, woe to the individual through whom they arise (Matt. 18:6-14; Mk. 9:49-50). To mitigate the pervasive threat of temptation, the Lord provides two pieces of guidance: each person must remain vigilant and disciplined regarding themselves. If anyone becomes aware of temptation’s sway upon them, they are to distance themselves from what incites this temptation, regardless of the cost. If a hand or foot leads you to sin, sever it; if an eye leads you astray, remove it. Otherwise, there exists a peril of being cast into the fire of Gehenna. Indeed, these sacrifices may cause pain. Yet the Lord assures that every offering of salt will be seasoned with salt.
E. Matthew's choice to leave out John's question, which interrupted Christ's discourse, does not alter the coherence or meaning of the sayings provided by this Evangelist. This omission serves only to illuminate the negative aspects that lead to a greater understanding of the positive truths expressed in Matthew 5. Christ instructs His disciples to warmly and tenderly embrace those who are young in faith, warning them not to drive these believers away with excessive rigidity. The actions of the apostles towards a discreet follower of Christ prompt Jesus to caution them against the peril of leading these young ones astray through such behavior (Matthew 18:6, Mark 9:42).
This admonition is broad in scope, encompassing not just the specific instance of tempting the young in faith, but also any actions that could hinder the initiation of faith; this includes individuals of all ages. Following this, Christ warns the apostles about the risks of yielding to temptation (Matthew 18:7, Mark 9:48). The link to the previous context is evident, as both the apostles’ disputes over greatness and their interactions with the secret disciple placed their faith at risk—first through misguided Messianic expectations and then through a Pharisaic attitude of intolerance. With a heavy heart, Jesus acknowledges that while the world will inevitably encounter many temptations, it is critical to recognize the woe that awaits those through whom such temptations arise (Matthew 18:7). This warning serves as a powerful reminder about worldly temptations. The symbolic language Christ employs (Matthew 5:29-30, Mark 9:43-48) correlates with His Sermon on the Mount, urging Christians to renounce sinful desires, particularly carnal ones (cf. Matthew 5:27-28). Here, He similarly calls the apostles to suppress their own passions, specifically targeting spiritual struggles such as ambition, hostility, and intolerance, which could lead them to cause division and disrupt the unity and peace among believers.
Jesus cautioned, "If your right eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and cast it away... and if your right hand entices you, sever it and throw it from you... For it is better for you that one of your members perish than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna." According to John Chrysostom's perspective on temptations regarding the right eye and the right hand, he emphasized that when Christ issued this command, He was not referring to physical members. Rather, He does not condemn the flesh, but points to the flawed will. It is not the eye that perceives, but the mind and heart. When our spirit is drawn to other distractions, the eye often fails to discern what lies before it. Therefore, not everything should be attributed to the actions of the eye alone.
Had Christ intended to focus solely on physical members, He would not have specified only one eye, particularly the right, but rather spoken of both. A person tempted by the right eye is also tempted by the left. The Savior’s mention of the right eye and right hand serves to illustrate that the discussion pertains not to physical limbs but to individuals who hold significant importance in our lives. If you cherish someone so deeply that you depend on them like your right eye, or if you regard them as invaluable like your right hand, yet they lead you toward corruption, you must separate yourself from them. Indeed, if a beloved person cannot save themselves and instead brings you down with them, what kind of humanity would allow you both to descend into destruction, when apart, at least one of you might find salvation? Blessed Augustine, Blessed Theophylact, and others interpret this statement of Jesus similarly.
In a return to His discourse, while cradling the child in His arms and using it as a focal point, the Savior admonished against the grave sin and peril of leading astray, tempting, or corrupting those who are innocent and righteous. He emphasized the severe consequences for anyone who teaches evil or introduces wicked thoughts to such little ones, whose angels continually behold the countenance of His Father in heaven. Through remarkably strong and formidable language, He indicated that evildoers, those engaged in the devil's work, will face such profound punishment that it would be preferable for them to tie a millstone around their necks and be cast into the depths of the sea.
He continued to assert that no sacrifice is too great to avoid the danger of becoming a stumbling block for oneself or for others. It is far better to sever a right hand and enter the Kingdom of Heaven maimed, to amputate a right foot and enter the Kingdom of Heaven lame, or to remove a right eye and enter the Kingdom of Heaven sightless than to allow any member to become a tool for sin, nourishing the everlasting worm and sparking an unquenchable fire. It is preferable to face drowning in this life with a millstone tied around one's neck than to bear the weight of moral and spiritual temptation that could plunge a guilty soul into the lake of fire, resulting in spiritual death.
The statement, "For every man is salted with fire," is among the most challenging of Christ's teachings, particularly since there are no similar scriptures for comparison. Due to this complexity, it has been interpreted in various ways. A common interpretation suggests that just as salt prevents decay, the fire that the wicked endure in hell serves to maintain their existence eternally, allowing for perpetual torment. However, this interpretation seems flawed. This phrase refers to a sacrificial process, albeit an introductory one with substantial importance, and in the context of the wicked, it can be understood as a form of punishment.
An alternative interpretation aligns more closely with the overall message of the Savior's teachings: just as every sacrifice presented to God under the Mosaic Law was to be seasoned with salt (Lev. 2:13), so too were the Apostles and followers of Christ to be refined through trials, tribulations, and adversities to become a pleasing offering to God. In this sense, fire symbolizes the challenges and hardships they would face (see 1 Cor. 3:13). Those adhering to the first explanation tend to link this saying solely with the last verse discussing eternal suffering, neglecting its connection to the entirety of the Lord's discourse and its intended message.
The goal of this teaching is not merely to highlight eternal punishment—an ancillary point—but rather to instruct the disciples: 1) that individuals, including those who may not follow them closely, can possess the initial sparks of genuine faith, sufficient for miracles (38, 39); 2) that they should recognize manifestations of faith and love, even in forms that may appear trivial (41); 3) that they must refrain from leading believers astray, regardless of their apparent weakness (42); and 4) that they should abandon anything detrimental to faith, no matter how challenging or painful it may be (43, 45, 47).
Thus, the term "fire" here represents the trials, tribulations, and struggles essential for self-sacrifice in overcoming such adversities. It safeguards individuals from moral decay and qualifies them as offerings to God, analogous to how Old Testament sacrifices were prepared with salt. Consequently, we can reinterpret the Lord's message as follows: Consider the sacrifice made to the Lord at the altar; it must be seasoned with salt, symbolizing purification and protection against corruption. Similarly, you are called to present yourselves as living sacrifices to God, set apart for Him, requiring cleansing and preservation from moral failings—sin—and the means of this purification involve enduring hardships, temptations, struggles, and the practice of self-denial.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 26 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS