Mark 9:44

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 9:44 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “[where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.]” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

[where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.]
Mark 9:44 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
44[where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.]

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.] The passage referred to, is in (<236624>Isaiah 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…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See the notes at Matthew 18:7-9. Millstone. See Matthew 18:6. Mark 9:44-46 Their worm - This figure is taken from Isaiah 66:24. See the notes at that passage. In describing the great prosperity. of the kingdom of the Messiah, Isaiah says that the people of God “shall go forth, and look upon the carcasses of the men who have transgressed against God.” Their enemies would be overcome. They would be slain. The people of God would triumph. The figure is taken from heaps of the dead slain in battle; and the prophet says that the number would be so great that their worm - the worm feeding on the dead - would not die, would live long - as long as there were carcasses to be devoured; and that the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Where their worm - That gnaweth the soul, (pride, self will, desire, malice, envy, shame, sorrow, despair,) dieth not - No more than the soul itself: and the fire (either material, or infinitely worse!) that tormenteth the body, is not quenched for ever. Isa 66:24. Mark 9:49”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“their: Mar 9:46, Mar 9:48; Isa 66:24 the fire: Isa 33:14; Mat 3:12, Mat 25:41, Mat 25:46; Th2 1:9; Rev 14:10, Rev 14:11, Rev 20:10, Rev 20:15, Rev 21:8 Mark 9:45”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification