Home > Jesus is God in Mark's Gospel
Mentioned also in Matthew 18:6 and Luke 17:1–2.
Mark 9:42–50:
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
Jesus provides a graphic description of Hell (Gehenna). He does not speak as someone guessing about the afterlife, but as the one who knows—and oversees—the final judgment. By quoting Isaiah 66:24("their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched"), Jesus applies a prophecy concerning Yahweh’s final judgment to the warnings He is personally issuing.
He speaks with the authority of the Final Judge, describing the realities of Gehenna (hell) and the "unquenchable fire" (v. 43-48). He positions his teachings as the standard by which eternity is determined. Jesus' ability to command such extreme sacrifice (cutting off hand/foot) is based on His status as the Lord of the soul, who has the right to demand everything for the sake of the Kingdom.
In the Old Testament, the object of saving faith and trust is always Yahweh. By making belief in Himself the standard for judgment and eternal destiny, Jesus places Himself in the position of God.