Did Jesus advocate self-mutilation for sin?

Some of Jesus’ statements can be alarming when taken at face value, namely those that appear to promote self-mutilation. Jesus said in Mark 9:43, “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched.” He repeated similar words in Mark 9:47, “And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.”

However, Jesus’ shocking “instructions” did not advocate self-mutilation to avoid sin, as if cutting off one’s hands or plucking out one’s eyes would remedy one’s sin problem. David Guzik stated on Blue Letter Bible's website, “The problem with taking Jesus’ words literally here is that bodily mutilation does not go far enough in controlling sin...and if I cut off my right hand, my left is still ready to sin. If I completely dismember my body, I can still sin in my mind and in my heart” (Guzik, David. “Study Guide for Mark 9.” Enduring Word. Blue Letter Bible. 6/2022. 2025. 21 Oct 2025).

The reason “cutting off” certain body parts cannot stop someone from sinning is that sin originates in the heart (i.e., the sinful nature). Paul wrote in Romans 7:18, “For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” Matthew 15:19-20 says, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man.” Lastly, Genesis 6:5 states, “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

Therefore, since the sinful nature cannot be excised, and amputating body parts cannot remedy one’s inherent sin problem, Jesus did not advocate self-mutilation in Mark chapter nine. Rather, His alarming words conveyed the seriousness of sin and its eternal consequences, demanding drastic measures to avoid it at all costs.

The various applications of Jesus’ directive will look different for each individual. Some people may need to sever certain relationships that lead to sin, while others may need to eliminate activities that cause them to sin, such as watching movies, surfing the internet, or scrolling through social media. Still others might need to permanently refrain from entering establishments that could lead them to sin, such as sports bars, dance clubs, or restaurants and hotels located within casinos.

Regardless of the various applications of Jesus’ command, His directive to “cut off your hand or gouge out your eye if they cause you to sin” did not advocate self-mutilation but conveyed, in the strongest way possible, the costliest sacrifices necessary to avoid sin and its deadly consequences as much as humanly possible.

I hope this brief explanation helps clarify the meaning of Jesus’ words in Mark chapter nine and encourages you to apply His directive to your own life, as well as share it with others.