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Matthew 18:8

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 18:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And if thy hand or thy foot causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed or halt, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And if thy hand or thy foot causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed or halt, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire.
Matthew 18:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me:
6But whoso shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it is profitable for him that a great millstone should be hanged about his neck, and [that] he should be sunk in the depth of the sea.
7Woe unto the world because of occasions of stumbling! for it must needs be that the occasions come; but woe to that man through whom the occasion cometh!
8And if thy hand or thy foot causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed or halt, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire.
9And if thine eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of fire.
10See that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.
11[For the Son of man came to save that which was lost.]
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What do historical commentaries say?

Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“If thy hand ... - See the notes at Matthew 5:29-30. The sense in all these instances is the same. Worldly attachments, friendships, and employments of any kind, that cannot be pursued without leading us into sin, be they ever so dear to us, must be abandoned, or the soul will be lost. It is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed ... - It is not meant, by this, that when the body shall be raised it will be maimed and disfigured in this manner. It will be perfect. See 1 Corinthians 15:42-44. But these things are said for the purpose of carrying out or making complete the figure or the representation of cutting off the hands, etc. The meaning is, it is better to go to heaven without…”
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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
“If thy hand, foot, eye, cause thee to offend - If the most dear enjoyment, the most beloved and useful person, turn thee out of, or hinder thee in the way Is not this a hard saying? Yes; if thou take counsel with flesh and blood. Mat 5:29; Mar 9:43. Matthew 18:10”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“18:8-9 Concern shifts to the individual: Get rid of whatever causes you to sin (see 5:29-30; Col 3:5-17).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“if: Mat 5:29, Mat 5:30, Mat 14:3, Mat 14:4; Deu 13:6-8; Mar 9:43-48; Luk 14:26, Luk 14:27, Luk 14:33, Luk 18:22, Luk 18:23 and cast: Isa 2:20, Isa 2:21, Isa 30:22; Eze 18:31; Rom 13:12; Phi 3:8, Phi 3:9 maimed: Mat 15:30, Mat 15:31 everlasting: Mat 25:41, Mat 25:46; Isa 33:14; Mar 9:48, Mar 9:49; Luk 16:24; Th2 1:8, Th2 1:9; Rev 14:10; Rev 20:15, Rev 21:8 Matthew 18:9”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification