Who in their right mind would pluck out their eye and think that it was profitable?

Question

Matthew 7:24
24Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: (KJV)

Matthew 5:29
29And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell. (KJV)

Did Jesus have great wisdom in his teachings?

Who in their right mind would pluck out their eye and think that it was profitable?

Answer 1

Odin did.

Answer 2

Jesus was telling a parable, a story that makes a point. His point is that God's ways make the best way to live, a way that won't let you down.

His remark about eyes was not a literal idea he advocated. He was trying to show the extreme severity of "sin" selfish, wrong living. He says the penalty for living a selfish, "me first "life is that the person will spend eternity in hell. Sin is kind of like cancer, sometimes you have to cut away something to cure it. He says that hell is so horrible that it would be smart to do whatever it takes to not end up there. Godly living is so very important, it is even more important than keeping your body whole. It is the use of an extreme example to make an important point; it was never meant as a physical recommendation.

Good question! The Bible is a fascinating book, but it's not always easy to understand. Yes, I believe Jesus has wonderful, amazing wisdom. The more I've learned to understand what he meant and then do it, the happier my life has been. His love and wisdom have gotten me through so many rough, painful places in my life. Hang in there, there's lots of good stuff to be discovered still. When I'm feeling really down I read the book call The Psalms. It's poetry and it shows me God really knows how we feel and He cares.

Answer 3

Of course no-one would. Most of these sayings by Matthew are not meant to be taken literally, otherwise we would all be walking around with no right hand or eye. They are examples of hyperbole - literally 'speaking over the top'. They are put in an extreme way to emphasise the importance of what he is talking about. The same applies to 'make no oath'. Of course you can - both Paul and God made oaths and Jesus accepted one.

Answer 4

It is a metaphor!!!

Jesus was saying that we need to get rid of the obstacles that separate us from God. Because what does it matter if we have anything, or everything, in this world but do not have a relationship with God.

God bless.

Answer 5

be carefull of what you watch, be carefull of what you do. theirs always a choice of whats right and wrong if your eyes cause you to sin dont look at what you were looking at .stay away from things that will comprimise your love for God.Jesus was a wise teacher and the son of God He undoutably knew what he was talking about.

Answer 6

It is a metaphor, but many wise things that are said are misunderstood by the foolish so to anwser your other question yes he did haver wisdom.

Answer 7

It means, if the eye takes a liking to watching sin, separate yourself from that sin and let not your eyes send you to hell.

Answer 8

If that was the only way I could be saved, then ME for one! Fortunately, the Lord has taught me to confess my sins and repent of them thus allowing me to keep my eyes and all my limbs - and still be saved!

Answer 9

Nobody. But crazy people have done so, rather than simply repent, which is the point of the message!

Answer 10

Do You really think that's what the scripture means? Or do you think possibly there might be a higher spiritual meaning?

Answer 11

Someone who realizes that the eternal is more important than the temporal. Also someone who is a great speaker and who knows that hyperbole gets people's attention...