Matthew 5:29Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

If Christ had meant to focus on physical members, He would have referenced both eyes rather than singling out the right eye. For if the right eye is a source of temptation, so too is the left. Hence, Christ specifically mentions the right eye and the right hand to signify that it concerns the individuals closely associated with us. If you find someone whom you cherish so deeply that they become like your right eye, or if you regard someone as indispensable as your right hand, and if that person leads your soul astray, then you must also sever ties with them. Notice the intensity of His wording; He does not simply say, "Depart from yourself," but rather commands you to "cast out" and "remove," indicating an absolute separation. Furthermore, although Christ lays down a strict requirement, He highlights its significance in relation to both good and evil. It is better, He indicates, for you to lose an ear than for your entire being to be cast into Gehenna. Indeed, when the individual close to you cannot save themselves and leads you to ruin, it defies humanity for both to fall into destruction when, through separation, at least one might find salvation. You might wonder how Paul desired to be separated from Christ for the sake of his brethren. The apostle did not advocate this without purpose; he did it for the benefit of others. Here, however, harm comes to both parties. Therefore, Christ not only says, "Cast it out," but also, "Remove it from yourselves," so that reconnection becomes impossible if that person remains unchanged. Thus, you will spare them from tremendous judgment, while also saving yourself from destruction. To further illustrate the wisdom of this command, consider a hypothetical involving your body. If you had to choose between being thrown into a pit to perish or sacrificing an eye to preserve the rest of your body, would you not choose the latter? This is evident to all. It would not mean you lack compassion for the eye, but rather that you value the wellbeing of your entire body more. Similarly, think carefully about those around you. If a friend proves to be a harmful influence and is utterly beyond help, severing that connection will free you from harm and spare them much judgment, as they would no longer be accountable for your downfall. Do you recognize the gentleness and concern embedded in Christ’s teachings, revealing great compassion within their apparent strictness? Those who pursue alluring spectacles should heed this message and be cautious. If the law instructs us to eliminate a harmful companion, what justification could there be for those who eagerly welcome strangers into their lives and create countless occasions for their own ruin? Thus, the Savior not only discourages lustful gazes, but He fortifies His command by urging us to eliminate or cast away anything that tempts us. And this directive comes from the One who has often spoken of love, underscoring His profound care for you and His desire for your wellbeing.

‘the right eye’ and ‘the right hand’ (Matt. 5:25-30) point us to no other than those who love us with harm (to us).

It is the desire to avoid self-discipline that reveals your wrongdoing, as you declined to remove something that leads to suffering and chose to disobey rather than eradicate an inappropriate desire. Let us examine whether speaking ill ceases with the removal of the tongue. If it does, then those who choose not to remove theirs are in error. If it does not cease, then those who did remove their tongues have misinterpreted the command. How then could the Lord instruct us to sever parts of the body that perish when severed if the root of evil remains intact? Thus, it is not the body parts united by the Divine Will that must be removed, but rather the wicked thoughts that our freedom can produce. Through these words, the Lord emphasizes the necessity of our struggle against being defeated, as He reminds us elsewhere: ‘Rend your hearts, and not your garments’ (Joel 2:13). For the wealthy young man referred to in the Gospel (Matt. 19:16, Mk. 10:21, Lk. 18:22) was ensnared by his riches, which he held onto, failing to relinquish that ‘right eye’ that tempted him. By 'eye,' the Lord refers to desire, which arises from sight; similarly, the 'ear' represents slander, and so forth. The Apostle echoes this sentiment when he writes: ‘Mortify therefore your members: that is fornication,’ etc. (cf. Col. 3:3, Col. 3:5). The ‘right eye’ also symbolizes love, as a man’s desire for a woman is kindled by what he sees, hence the phrase's wider usage. In these statements and those following from St. Ephrem, he criticizes sectarians who, in their crude understanding of Christ’s commands, enact them in a literal sense upon themselves. The essence of the Saint’s argument seems to be: If I, the Lord, exhorted you to sever your own body parts as you believe, why not instead renounce affluence, pleasures, and other temptations, as it would be far simpler to forsake those than to mutilate yourself.

Moreover, the right eye and hand symbolize our love and affection for our brothers, wives, children, and close relatives; if we find that these relationships hinder our focus on the true light, we must sever any ties that may lead us to lose our way in eternity while attempting to uplift others. This reflects the principle applied to the high priest, who is dedicated to God’s service, as it is stated that he must not make himself unclean by touching the body of his deceased father, mother, or children (Leviticus 21:11), indicating that his only affection should be for the Lord to whom his life is devoted.

Similarly, if you have a gift for service, represented as the foot, and it leads to your elevation, then you must renounce it. It is advantageous to relinquish these illusory virtues rather than risk total downfall due to pride and arrogance.

When He stated, "Take them out," He proceeded to elaborate, saying, "And cast them away from you, so they do not regain closeness with you." While addressing a challenging issue, He also illustrated the advantages that would arise from taking such action.

Thus, it is preferable to part with even the most valuable and essential parts, like an eye or legs, rather than risk fellowship with Gehenna due to a harmful attachment. Likewise, the act of removing these members can be beneficial, provided it allows us to eliminate the attachments of the heart.

5:6) and, again, "Cast out the wicked person from among you" (1 Cor. 5:13). Furthermore, the presbyter is represented by the hand; if he leads the people of God astray through heretical beliefs or immoral living, the Lord instructs that he be cut off, meaning removed, to prevent his iniquity from defiling the Church, as the Apostle teaches that the Church is to be holy and without blemish.

The words from the Gospel are highly reasonable and filled with wisdom. Overcoming temptation is indeed a commendable achievement; however, employing prudence to prevent such desires from arising is even more crucial. Christ illustrates this by stating, "Everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28). He characterizes not the one who inadvertently glances and becomes momentarily vulnerable, but rather the one who gazes intentionally, nurturing passion within, frequently revisiting the beauty they’ve observed, and deriving pleasure from such sights. For those who wisely manage their actions, it is righteous to heed these teachings, seeking understanding and rejecting the notion that mere observation poses no threat. I support you in your quest for salvation, affirming that caution outweighs reckless daring and that it is righteous to prioritize Divine truths over personal reasoning.

For those who remain unconvinced, consider Pritotnik, who advised against fixation, suggesting instead to "Do not stop your eye upon her, but go away, and do not tarry in the place." A writer adorned with virtue expressed, "By the goodness of women many are charmed" (Sir 9:9), while also warning, "Do not look upon the goodness of strangers" (Sir 9:8). His instruction was not merely to avoid fleeting glances, but to steer clear of lingering scrutiny that breeds temptation. It is stated, "From this friendship like a fire is kindled" (Sir 9:9), indicating that improper connections can ignite harmful desires. Even among wise individuals who may not strictly uphold moral codes, this principle remained recognized.

Socrates observed that one who kissed a handsome youth was at risk of falling into dangerous passions, just as Diogenes warned that elaborate adornments entice both men and women. Agesilaus refrained from allowing the beautiful boy he admired to engage in any actions that could lead to temptation. Similarly, Alexander chose not to see Darius's wife, asserting it shameful for captives to yield to their wives’ influence.

When considering examples from not just the pagans but also from those seen as barbaric, I shall not hesitate. The Persian king Cyrus avoided the enchanting Panthia, noted for her exceptional beauty, even advising others not to gaze upon her too often, stating, "Fire burns those who are close, but beauty—and those who stand far away." This proved true, as he who claimed immunity to physical desire became captivated. Unable to win her favor, he resorted to threats until she alerted Cyrus to the situation. Recognizing the power of beauty, Cyrus cautioned the man boasting of his resistance to sight, declaring, "If you persuade this woman, I will not hinder you, but if you intend to do her violence, I will not permit it."

If the teachings of the Gospel, the wisdom of Proverbs, and the examples from Hellenic and Persian sources align, we must strive earnestly to restrain our eyes, avoiding inordinate and unguarded glances, which can inflict lasting harm upon the soul, leading to vices that dominate our reasoning and render us captives to our passions.

For instance, if an individual—be it a friend, relative, or benefactor—holds a place in your heart as cherished as your right eye or vital as your right hand, yet poses a temptation to your spirit; then you must cast him from your heart and refrain from companionship until reform happens. It is far better to endure this loss while safeguarding your soul than to err against the command of the Saviour, surrendering your purity and chastity, and thus face the eternal punishment alongside your tempter. By distancing yourself, you not only protect your own spirit but also provide a chance for that person to escape the grip of sin by removing their ability to lead you astray.

Let us not be astonished, dear brethren, that our compassionate Saviour implores us to vigilantly guard our hearts against even the faintest hint of sinful desires with such sternness. His watchful eye, aimed at our souls' salvation, foresees the disastrous consequences of this harmful passion, capable of wreaking havoc if allowed to flourish unchecked. This deadly passion has the power to ruin lives, devastate families, and topple entire nations. Though His command may seem stringent, it reflects not merely the unyielding nature of divine truth, but a deeply insightful love.

Consider a ship navigating a stormy sea, heavily laden with precious cargo. The astute helmsman, recognizing the impending peril to all aboard, order the valuable goods to be jettisoned in order to secure their survival. Is his decision not wise and compassionate? Is it not preferable to sacrifice material wealth to preserve life rather than to risk losing both? In this way, the all-encompassing love of our Saviour encourages us to hold nothing back in our quest to maintain the purity and chastity that are the extraordinary treasures of our souls, foundations from which a truly virtuous Christian life arises. The forfeiture of such virtues brings about an irretrievable loss, one that cannot be restored without immense effort, including fasting, prayers, and sincere repentance, echoing the deep distress seen in David’s own plea to God.

To recover what has been lost necessitates the miraculous grace of God, which can recreate a pure heart within us and renew the right spirit, as the contrite David implored: ‘Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew the right spirit within me’ (Psalm 51:10). Without this renewal, access to the kingdom of God is eternally denied to the impure soul, which the Scriptures affirm will not enter there (Rev. 21:27). Outside of Christ's kingdom, the only fate awaiting the sinner is the fire of Gehenna—a fate for which the Saviour has provided guidance, instructing us to maintain our chastity even within marriage.

John Chrysostom articulates, “It is not your eye that looks, but it is your mind and heart that see through it.” If the Lord intended to refer solely to the body’s parts, He would have mentioned both eyes, for temptation comes to both the right and the left. The reason He specifically mentions the right eye and hand is to illustrate that this matter pertains to individuals we are closely connected to. If you find someone so indispensable that you view them as your right eye or rely on them as you would your right hand, yet they lead your soul astray, then it is necessary to distance yourself from them. Note that the Lord did not merely say “depart,” but used the strong wording “pluck it out” and “cast it from you,” emphasizing the urgency of the separation. While He imposes a solemn command, He simultaneously reveals its purpose: it is preferable for one of your members to perish than for your entire being to be cast into hell. When a friend fails to save themselves and consequently drags you down, what would be humane about both of you perishing? By severing the association, at least one of you may find salvation. The Saviour instructs us not only to tear away the ties but to ensure they are permanently severed, allowing for no renewal of fellowship unless there is genuine repentance. In doing so, you spare yourself from destruction and possibly help them escape severe judgment for leading you astray. If given the choice between preserving your eye and perishing or losing your eye and living, the decision is clear. Reflect on your relationships in the same manner. Do you perceive the depth of love embedded in Christ’s commandments? Do you recognize the profound compassion visible through what may initially appear as sternness? The teachings of the Saviour are illuminated by the insights of holy fathers such as Chrysostom, Athanasius, Cyril, Blessed Theophylact, and others. Indeed, if we were to interpret these words literally, it would necessitate the removal of the tongue for uttering harmful speech and the amputation of other body parts. But would this bring about any change? The sinful desires would linger in the heart; even a mute can harbor wickedness, and a blind person can still feel lust. Therefore, the Saviour's message should guide us to avoid anything that provokes impure thoughts in our hearts, like lewd music, dances, foul language, inappropriate pastimes, and literature that promotes unholy love. Strive to avert your gaze from anything that tempts you. Should you resolve not to look at temptations, you signify that you have already removed the provoking eye. Although you may avoid sinful actions in the body, it is equally crucial to preserve the purity of your heart as you protect your physical state. Those who adhere to this divine commandment regarding a pure heart will find themselves free from the concessions allowed by the Law of Moses, which was granted to the stony-hearted.

The right eye and the right hand symbolize our most valuable and essential faculties, representing everything we hold dear, which must be forsaken to eliminate sinful desires. These valuable things—whether people (Chrysostom, Theophylact), feelings, or pleasures—must be abandoned if they lead to temptation and sin; they need to be sacrificed for the eradication of vice. The term that means to tempt refers to a stumbling block or a trap that ensnares a bird, indicating anything that can lead us to sin or ensnare us in sin. It is better that one member should perish. It is preferable to sacrifice our most cherished possession here than to indulge that possession in desires that lead to sin. Not just the body, but rather the entirety of one's being. The body encompasses the mentioned parts, the eye and the hand, and since these pertain to the movements of the soul, we understand the body to signify the whole person, including both body and soul along with all its desires and intentions. Both the body and the soul, with all their misguided tendencies, will face eternal condemnation, corresponding to the passions that they foster.