And if thy eye scandalize thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee with one eye to enter into the kingdom of God than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of fire:
οπου ο σκωληξ αυτων ου τελευτα και το πυρ ου σβεννυται
6 Church Fathers comment on this verse
The torment experienced by sinners comes from the inner conscience of each individual and the recollection of their wretched actions in this earthly existence. This torment acts like a devouring worm and burns intensely like fire.
Understanding that our vision serves as a window to the soul, with destructive desires entering the heart through our sight like natural pathways, the Lord instructs us to eliminate these desires from the outside. This prevention is crucial, as allowing them to take hold in our vision can lead to their eventual growth and strength, which could ultimately endanger the soul. (cf. Sir 14:9.)
After discussing the essential nature of humility and addressing the concerns raised by John, the Lord emphasizes the importance of caution in not leading anyone, even the least among the members of Christ's kingdom, into temptation. This may continue the admonition regarding the disputes that arose during their journey, which inevitably resulted in temptation to sin for some. Just as every willingness to welcome a messenger in My name is invaluable to Me, even if that messenger is a child, I proclaim that woe to anyone who attempts to divert themselves from Me, leading astray even the smallest believer. Such an act is a grave offense; it is better for the offender to have a heavy millstone, typically turned by a donkey, fastened around their neck and thrown into the depths of the sea.
Even though enduring such a fate would be challenging, woe to the world, which contains even a hint of worldly desire, for the temptations it offers. While temptations are unavoidable, woe to the individual through whom they come (Matt. 18:6-14; Mk. 9:49-50).
To mitigate the destructive spread of temptation, the Lord provides two key pieces of guidance: each person must remain vigilant and disciplined regarding themselves. Should anyone recognize the presence of temptation within, they must distance themselves from the source of that temptation, no matter the cost. If a hand or a foot leads you to temptation, sever it; if an eye does the same, remove it. Otherwise, there is the risk of being cast into the fiery Gehenna. Such sacrifices can indeed be painful. Nevertheless, the Lord reassures us that every sacrifice made in faith will be seasoned with salt.
E. Matthew's omission of John's inquiry, which interrupted Christ's address, does not alter the coherence or the significance of the individual statements within this discourse, as presented by this Evangelist. John's question served primarily to highlight what is conveyed positively in Mn. 5. Christ instructs the apostles to embrace the least among them in faith with particular affection and to avoid discouraging them through unreasonable strictness. The apostles' interaction with the covert disciple of Christ prompts Him to caution them against the peril of leading the vulnerable in faith astray through such attitudes (Matt. 6; Mk. 42).
This principle is broad enough to encompass not only the situation of tempting believers, which served as the impetus for this counsel, but also any actions or attitudes that could create obstacles in the path of faith for anyone, regardless of their age. Following this, Christ warns the apostles about the risks they face of being enticed themselves (Mt. 7ff.; Mk. 48ff.). The link to what preceded is evident, as in both instances—the apostles debating their status and their encounter with the secret disciple—they faced challenges to their faith: in the first, influenced by misguided Messianic expectations, and in the second, by a Pharisaic attitude of intolerance. With deep sorrow, Christ acknowledges that the world will encounter various trials, which are unavoidable as long as the Church is engaged in spiritual warfare on earth, yet He pronounces woe upon the individual through whom such trials arise (Matthew 7). This last proclamation serves as a potent admonition against worldly temptations. The vivid imagery Christ employs here (Mt. 8, 9; Mk. 43-48) parallels His teachings during the Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5:29-30), where He urges believers to avoid sinful desires and specifically to curb physical lusts (cf. 27-28). In this context, Christ similarly calls the apostles to rein in their passions, focusing primarily on those of a spiritual nature, such as ambitions, hostility, and intolerance, which can lead to causing others to stumble and disrupt the unity and tranquility among believers.
Jesus taught, “If your right eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and cast it away from you... and if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away... For it is better for you that one of your members perish than that your whole body be thrown into hell.” John Chrysostom reflected on the nature of temptations related to the right eye and right hand, stating, “In issuing this directive, Christ was not referring to physical limbs. He does not condemn the flesh; rather, He indicts the flawed will. It is not merely the eye that perceives but the heart and the mind. When our soul is diverted to other matters, the eye often fails to see what is right before it. Therefore, not everything can be blamed on the eye’s action.
If Christ were speaking about physical members, He would have mentioned both eyes instead of singling out the right one. For those tempted by the right eye are certainly also tempted by the left. Why, then, did the Savior specify only the right eye and hand? To illustrate that this is not solely about physical parts, but about individuals with whom we share close ties. If you cherish someone so deeply that you regard them as your right eye, or if you find them so significant that you think of them as your right hand, and they lead your soul astray, you must separate yourself from that person. Indeed, when someone near you fails to save themselves and leads you to ruin, what sense does it make for both to descend into destruction together? Instead, by separating, at least one of you may find salvation.” This understanding aligns with the interpretations of Blessed Augustine, Blessed Theophylact, and others.
In His discourse, while embracing a child, the Savior cautioned against the severe sin and peril associated with leading astray, tempting, or causing harm to the innocent. He emphasized the grave consequences of imparting wrongdoing or nurturing wicked thoughts in such little ones, whose angels continually behold the face of the Father in heaven. With strikingly powerful words, He warned that those who engage in such deceitful actions shall face a dreadful destiny, far worse than being weighed down by a millstone and cast into the depths of the sea. He affirmed that no sacrifice is too great to avoid the temptation of placing stumbling blocks in the path of our own soul or that of others.
It is preferable to sever a hand and enter the kingdom of heaven without it than to allow it to become a tool for sin, which feeds the eternal worm and ignites an unquenchable fire. Likewise, one would be better off without a foot or an eye if they lead to sin than to risk the soul's downfall, illustrating that it is preferable to be drowned in this life than to bear the burden of moral and spiritual temptation, which can plunge a soul into the lake of fire eternally.
Greek text, 11 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS