Matthew 5:29
Summary for Matt 5:29-30: 5:29-30 a good eye ... gouge it out ... stronger hand ... cut it off: These graphic images call for radical separation from sin. But even self-mutilation, radical as it would be, cannot stop a lustful mind. Jesus is calling for the surpassing righteousness that only he can bring. 5:29 b hell (Greek Gehenna): Gehenna originally referred to a valley outside Jerusalem where some of the kings of Judah worshiped idols and performed human sacrifice by fire (2 Chr 28:3 c; 33:6 d; Jer 7:31 e; 32:35 f). The site was eventually destroyed by Josiah (2 Kgs 23:10 g). In the New Testament, Gehenna describes the place of punishment by God. Unless disciples have surpassing righteousness, they will not enter the Kingdom (Matt 5:20 h) but will be punished eternally (5:22 i; 23:33 j).
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