New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 5:30

The Sermon on the Mount

And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to depart into hell. Matthew 5:30 · Berean Standard Bible

What It Means

Matthew 5:30, in plain English

And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off. Better to lose something valuable than to lose everything. Jesus is dead serious about the danger of unchecked sin.

Why it's here

Your right hand was your most useful, most valued hand. Jesus says even the most valuable thing in your life isn't worth keeping if it's leading you away from God.

Who's speaking

Jesus continues His urgent teaching about sin.

Where it sits in the story

Some things in your life may be good in themselves but harmful to your soul. Jesus says: let them go.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

The parallel command regarding the right hand extends the metaphor to actions (the hand acts on what the eye desires). The doubling reinforces the principle: remove anything that leads to sin, regardless of its value or utility.

Language and setting

The right hand was the 'hand of power' in ancient culture, used for oaths, blessings, and skilled work. Losing it would be a devastating practical and social loss.

Voice

Jesus, reinforcing the radical sin-prevention teaching.

Significance

The escalating intensity of Jesus's language underscores that the kingdom of heaven is worth any personal sacrifice.

In context

Matthew 5:28–32

28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

29If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to depart into hell.

31It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’

32But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Read all of Matthew 5 — Jesus turns the world's values upside down. The blessed aren't the powerful — they're the poor in spirit, the grieving, the meek.

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