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OET (OET-LV) And if the hand of_you or the foot of_you is_stumbling you, cut_ it _off and throw it from you, it_is better for_you to_come_in into the life maimed or lame, than to_be_thrown into the the eternal fire having two hands or two feet.
OET (OET-RV) “If your hand or foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away because it’s better for you to enter eternal life maimed or lame than to be thrown into the eternal fire with two hands and feet.
In the previous section, Jesus used a child to illustrate what it meant for a disciple to be great in the kingdom. In this section, he compared a humble disciple to a child. He warned people not to cause one of them to sin. If they did, the consequences would be serious.
Jesus also warned his disciples to eliminate the source of sin in their own lives.
Here are some other possible headings for this section:
Temptations To Sin (GNT)
Eliminate the cause of sin
There are parallel passages for this section in Mark 9:42–48 and Luke 17:1–2.
It is good to start a new paragraph at 18:8. Jesus was still talking here about things that cause people to sin. However, the focus shifts to the importance of avoiding sin in a person’s own life.
These verses are similar to what Jesus said in 5:29–30. You should compare the way you translated the verses there to the way you translate the verses here.
If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away: Jesus used these words to continue to show that things that cause sin are serious. These words are intended to shock the listener with extreme language.
When Jesus said that you should cut off your hand of your foot, he meant that you should do everything possible to keep yourself from sinning. This might even require extreme self-sacrifice.
If people in your area will think that this verse only refers to literally cutting off your hand or foot, you may want to:
Indicate that this is figurative language. For example:
If for a figurative example your hand or your foot causes you to sin
If as a parable your hand or your foot causes you to sin
Include a footnote to explain. Here is a sample footnote:
The “hand” and “foot” of this verse are figurative examples of causes of sin. Jesus was not saying that people should actually cut off parts of their bodies. Instead, he wanted them to understand how serious sin is. The real causes of sin (wrong attitudes, thoughts and beliefs) are to be removed as if it were removing a hand or foot in this parable.
If your hand or your foot causes you to sin,
¶ Speaking in a parable, if your hand or your foot causes you to sin,
¶ If for a figurative example your hand or your foot makes you sin,
your: The pronouns “your” and “you” in 18:8–9 are singular.
hand: The Greek word that the BSB translates as hand refers to the part of the body that is at the end of the arm. It is the part to which the fingers are attached.
In some languages, there is a word that refers to both the arm and the hand. It is everything from the shoulder down. For Jesus’ illustration, it does not matter which meaning comes through in your translation.
foot: The Greek word that the BSB translates as foot refers to the part of the body that is at the end of the leg.
In some languages, there is a word that refers to both the leg and the foot. It is everything that is below the hip. For Jesus’ illustration, it does not matter which meaning comes through in your translation.
causes you to sin: The verb causes…to sin is the same verb used in 18:6a. But here the phrase refers to something that causes the person himself to sin.
Here is another way to translate this phrase:
makes you sin
cut it off and throw it away.
chop it off and throw it away.
then you should cut it off and get rid of it.
cut it off: Here are some other ways to translate this verb:
chop it off
sever it
and throw it away: The Greek clause that the BSB translates as throw it away is more literally “throw it from you” (as in the NASB). The whole clause means to get rid of the thing that causes you to sin.
Here is another way to translate this clause:
and get rid of it
It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than to have two hands and two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire: This is a comparison. Some ways that languages may show this comparison are:
One situation is better than the other (as in the BSB).
One situation is worse than the other. For example:
Being thrown into eternal fire with two hands or two feet is worse than entering eternal life crippled or lame.
One situation is good. The other situation is bad. For example:
If you enter into heaven, even if you have only one hand or one foot, that is good. But if you keep two hands or two feet and go to hell, that is bad.
Some languages do not use comparison words. One possible way to translate this verse without using such words is:
It is very bad if your hand or foot leads you into sinful ways. Those sinful ways will cause you later to be thrown into the eternal fire as punishment. Rather than let that happen, cut off your hand or foot before it causes you to sin, and throw it away. That way your body will be crippled, but you will still be able to enter into eternal life.
It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame
It is better in comparison for you to enter eternal life disabled or injured
It may not seem good to enter life in heaven with one hand or one foot missing,
If you enter eternal life with God even without one hand or one foot, this is good/preferred.
to enter life: In this context, the word life refers to eternal life.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
to enter eternal life (NLT)
to enter the place of eternal life
to enter heaven (NLT96)
to go live forever with God
crippled: This word refers to a person who has an arm or leg that is deformed or missing. Because this word is parallel to “hand” in 18:8a, Jesus was probably referring to a missing hand.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
maimed (NIV)
without a hand (GNT)
with only one hand (NLT)
lame: This word refers to a person who has a difficult time walking because one or both legs are deformed or missing. Because this word is parallel to “foot” in 18:8a, Jesus was probably referring to a missing foot.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
without…a foot (GNT)
with one foot
than to have two hands and two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire.
than for you to be thrown into the eternal fire of hell having two hands and two feet.
but it is very bad for you with your two hands and two feet to be thrown into the place of fire that never dies.
But if you keep both hands and both feet and then God throws you into the fire of hell that burns forever, that is bad.
than: This word connects two things that are being compared. The situation in 18:8c (entering eternal life crippled but alive) is compared to the situation in 18:8d (whole but punished in the fire). The first situation is preferable. If you are not able to make a comparison like this in your language, see 18:8c–d above for other possible ways to translate this verse.
to have two hands and two feet: This phrase refers to what would happen if you did not do what Jesus said. When your hand or foot caused you to sin, you did not cut it off. Then at the final judgment, you would have both hands and both feet. But you would be thrown into the fire of punishment because of that sin.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
with two hands or two feet (ESV)
to keep both hands and both feet (GNT)
In some languages, it will be more natural to put this phrase at the end of 18:8d. For example:
than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet (NLT)
and be thrown: The Greek verb that the BSB translates as be thrown is passive. This part of the verse refers to the final judgment, so God is the person who will throw people into eternal fire.
Here are some other ways to translate this verb:
Use a passive verb. For example:
be cast (KJV)
Use an active verb. For example:
God will throw you
into the eternal fire: This phrase refers to the fire that is the final punishment for sin. It is the same as “fire of hell” in 5:22c.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
into the fire that never goes out (CEV)
into the place where fire burns forever
into hell where fire always burns
Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases
δὲ
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰ Δέ ἡ χείρ σοῦ ἤ ὁ πούς σοῦ σκανδαλίζει σέ ἔκκοψον αὐτόν καί βάλε ἀπό σοῦ καλόν σοί ἐστίν εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τήν ζωήν κυλλόν ἤ χωλόν ἤ δύο χεῖρας ἤ δύο πόδας ἔχοντα βληθῆναι εἰς τό πῦρ τό αἰώνιον)
Here, the word Now introduces the next topic about which Jesus will speak. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces the next topic, or you could leave Now untranslated. Alternate translation: [Next,]
Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-condition-hypothetical
εἰ & ἡ χείρ σου ἢ ὁ πούς σου σκανδαλίζει σε
if & the hand (Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰ Δέ ἡ χείρ σοῦ ἤ ὁ πούς σοῦ σκανδαλίζει σέ ἔκκοψον αὐτόν καί βάλε ἀπό σοῦ καλόν σοί ἐστίν εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τήν ζωήν κυλλόν ἤ χωλόν ἤ δύο χεῖρας ἤ δύο πόδας ἔχοντα βληθῆναι εἰς τό πῦρ τό αἰώνιον)
Jesus is suggesting that this is a hypothetical condition, that the disciples might experience their hand or foot causing them to stumble. Use a natural form in your language for introducing a situation that could happen. See how you translated the similar clauses in [5:29–30](../05/29.md). Alternate translation: [consider this situation: your hand or foot causes you to stumble. If that were to happen]
Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / personification
ἡ χείρ σου ἢ ὁ πούς σου σκανδαλίζει σε
the hand (Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰ Δέ ἡ χείρ σοῦ ἤ ὁ πούς σοῦ σκανδαλίζει σέ ἔκκοψον αὐτόν καί βάλε ἀπό σοῦ καλόν σοί ἐστίν εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τήν ζωήν κυλλόν ἤ χωλόν ἤ δύο χεῖρας ἤ δύο πόδας ἔχοντα βληθῆναι εἰς τό πῦρ τό αἰώνιον)
Here, Jesus speaks of your hand and your foot as if they were people who could cause you to stumble. He means that the hand or the foot is the part of the body that is involved in the stumbling. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [it is your hand’s or your foot’s fault that you stumble] or [you stumble with your hand or your foot]
Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / youcrowd
σου & σου & σε & σοῦ & σοί
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰ Δέ ἡ χείρ σοῦ ἤ ὁ πούς σοῦ σκανδαλίζει σέ ἔκκοψον αὐτόν καί βάλε ἀπό σοῦ καλόν σοί ἐστίν εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τήν ζωήν κυλλόν ἤ χωλόν ἤ δύο χεῖρας ἤ δύο πόδας ἔχοντα βληθῆναι εἰς τό πῦρ τό αἰώνιον)
Even though Jesus is speaking to many disciples, he is addressing an individual situation, so you and your are singular throughout this verse. But if the singular form would not be natural in your language for someone who was speaking to a group of people, you could use the plural forms of you and your in your translation. If you do so, you may also need to make some other words plural.
Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor
σκανδαλίζει σε
˓is˒_stumbling (Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰ Δέ ἡ χείρ σοῦ ἤ ὁ πούς σοῦ σκανδαλίζει σέ ἔκκοψον αὐτόν καί βάλε ἀπό σοῦ καλόν σοί ἐστίν εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τήν ζωήν κυλλόν ἤ χωλόν ἤ δύο χεῖρας ἤ δύο πόδας ἔχοντα βληθῆναι εἰς τό πῦρ τό αἰώνιον)
Here Jesus is speaking of sinning as if it were stumbling. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [causes you to sin]
Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / hyperbole
ἔκκοψον αὐτὸν καὶ βάλε ἀπὸ σοῦ
cut_off (Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰ Δέ ἡ χείρ σοῦ ἤ ὁ πούς σοῦ σκανδαλίζει σέ ἔκκοψον αὐτόν καί βάλε ἀπό σοῦ καλόν σοί ἐστίν εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τήν ζωήν κυλλόν ἤ χωλόν ἤ δύο χεῖρας ἤ δύο πόδας ἔχοντα βληθῆναι εἰς τό πῦρ τό αἰώνιον)
Here Jesus provides the most extreme response to sinning. He does not mean that this should be the normal way to deal with sin. You should preserve the extreme language Jesus uses, but use a form that indicates that this is the most extreme example. See how you translated the similar constructions in [5:29–30](../05/29.md). Alternate translation: [if necessary, you should even cut it off and throw it away from you!]
Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor
εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν ζωὴν
˓to˒_come_in into (Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰ Δέ ἡ χείρ σοῦ ἤ ὁ πούς σοῦ σκανδαλίζει σέ ἔκκοψον αὐτόν καί βάλε ἀπό σοῦ καλόν σοί ἐστίν εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τήν ζωήν κυλλόν ἤ χωλόν ἤ δύο χεῖρας ἤ δύο πόδας ἔχοντα βληθῆναι εἰς τό πῦρ τό αἰώνιον)
Here Jesus speaks as if life were a house into which someone could enter. He is referring to experiencing or receiving life. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [to experience life] or [to receive life]
Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns
εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν ζωὴν
˓to˒_come_in into (Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰ Δέ ἡ χείρ σοῦ ἤ ὁ πούς σοῦ σκανδαλίζει σέ ἔκκοψον αὐτόν καί βάλε ἀπό σοῦ καλόν σοί ἐστίν εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τήν ζωήν κυλλόν ἤ χωλόν ἤ δύο χεῖρας ἤ δύο πόδας ἔχοντα βληθῆναι εἰς τό πῦρ τό αἰώνιον)
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of life, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [to be able to live]
Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit
τὴν ζωὴν
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰ Δέ ἡ χείρ σοῦ ἤ ὁ πούς σοῦ σκανδαλίζει σέ ἔκκοψον αὐτόν καί βάλε ἀπό σοῦ καλόν σοί ἐστίν εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τήν ζωήν κυλλόν ἤ χωλόν ἤ δύο χεῖρας ἤ δύο πόδας ἔχοντα βληθῆναι εἰς τό πῦρ τό αἰώνιον)
Here Jesus implies that this life is everlasting or undying life. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [true life] or [everlasting life]
Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive
βληθῆναι
˓to_be˒_cast
If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, it is clear from the context that it was God. Alternate translation: [for God to throw you]
Note 11 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor
τὸ πῦρ τὸ αἰώνιον
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰ Δέ ἡ χείρ σοῦ ἤ ὁ πούς σοῦ σκανδαλίζει σέ ἔκκοψον αὐτόν καί βάλε ἀπό σοῦ καλόν σοί ἐστίν εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τήν ζωήν κυλλόν ἤ χωλόν ἤ δύο χεῖρας ἤ δύο πόδας ἔχοντα βληθῆναι εἰς τό πῦρ τό αἰώνιον)
Here, the phrase the eternal fire refers to hell and describes at as a very unpleasant place. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea in simile form or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [hell, which is as hot as an eternal fire] or [hell]
18:1-35 This fourth major discourse in Matthew (see study note on Matt 5:1–7:29) focuses on responses to the Messiah—acceptance by the disciples and rejection by the Jewish leaders and most of the populace. In light of this growing polarization, Jesus began to instruct his followers on the nature of community life. For a community to live according to Jesus’ standards, it must live with humility (18:1-5), sensitivity (18:6-9), compassion (18:10-14), discipline (18:15-18), and forgiveness (18:21-35). As with the other discourses, a concluding formula (19:1-2) bridges to the next section.
OET (OET-LV) And if the hand of_you or the foot of_you is_stumbling you, cut_ it _off and throw it from you, it_is better for_you to_come_in into the life maimed or lame, than to_be_thrown into the the eternal fire having two hands or two feet.
OET (OET-RV) “If your hand or foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away because it’s better for you to enter eternal life maimed or lame than to be thrown into the eternal fire with two hands and feet.
Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.
Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.
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