Tuesday, March 17, 2015

”THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED” IN MARK 9:48: ITS MEANING AND BACKGROUND (4)



In a smaller unit Mark 9:48 belongs to the pericope of the discourse on warning the disciples of causes to sin (Mark 9:42-50). First, Jesus warns the disciples of the consequence of leading a “little ones” to sin or to be a stumbling block for them will suffer and their fate would be worse than being drowned. Second, Jesus gives warning for those who turn away from him or those who commit sins would go to gehenna.
Jesus states that it is better to enter life maimed than with two hands to go gehenna and it is also better to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into gehenna. In addition He states that it is better to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell.” This section smaller unit of warning over the sin can be outlined as follows:

Table 2
Warning against Causes of Sin
Don't cause others to stumble
9:42
Get rid of all that causes you to stumble
9:43-45
It is better to have one eye than two with one that causes you to sin
9:47-48
Have salt within yourselves
9:49-50

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