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Read the Bible

American Standard Version

Mark 9:48

where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Commandments;   Hell;   Jesus, the Christ;   Worm;   Scofield Reference Index - Faith;   Thompson Chain Reference - Eternal;   Everlasting;   Future State of the Wicked;   Future, the;   Irreparableness;   Loss;   Profit and Loss;   Punishment;   Words of Christ;   The Topic Concordance - Hell;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Hell;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Jerusalem;   Punishment;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Burial;   Eternal Punishment;   Fire;   Hell;   Jesus Christ;   Lake of Fire;   Punishment;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Hell;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Worm;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Games;   Hell;   Mark, the Gospel According to;   Perdition;   Salt;   Worm;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Eschatology;   Gehenna;   Insects;   Mark, the Gospel of;   Worm;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Mss;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Animals;   Common Life;   Demon, Demoniacal Possession, Demoniacs;   Discourse;   Elect, Election ;   Eternal Fire (2);   Fig-Tree ;   Fire ;   Guilt (2);   Ideas (Leading);   Isaiah;   Love (2);   Prudence;   Publishing ;   Punishment (2);   Quotations (2);   Reality;   Redemption (2);   Restoration;   Salt (2);   Self-Control;   Septuagint;   Sermon on the Mount;   Trinity (2);   Winter ;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Worms;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Fire;   Hell;   Transfiguration;   Worm;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Chief parables and miracles in the bible;   Gospel;   Hell;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Worm,;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Worm;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Decease, in New Testament;   Fire;   Immortal;   Jesus Christ (Part 2 of 2);   Mark, the Gospel According to;   Punishment, Everlasting;   Quench;   Unquenchable Fire;   Worm;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.
King James Version (1611)
Where their worme dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
King James Version
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
English Standard Version
‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.'
New American Standard Bible
where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT EXTINGUISHED.
New Century Version
In hell the worm does not die; the fire is never put out.
Amplified Bible
where THEIR WORM [that feeds on the dead] DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT PUT OUT.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED.
Legacy Standard Bible
where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.
Berean Standard Bible
where 'their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.'
Contemporary English Version
The worms there never die, and the fire never stops burning.
Complete Jewish Bible
where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.
Darby Translation
where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched.
Easy-to-Read Version
The worms that eat the people in hell never die. The fire there is never stopped.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Where their worme dyeth not, and the fire neuer goeth out.
George Lamsa Translation
Where their worm does not die, and their fire does not quench.
Good News Translation
There ‘the worms that eat them never die, and the fire that burns them is never put out.'
Lexham English Bible
‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not extinguished.'
Literal Translation
"where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched." Isa. 66:24
Bible in Basic English
Where their worm is ever living and the fire is not put out.
Hebrew Names Version
'where their worm doesn't die, and the fire is not quenched.'
International Standard Version
In that place, worms never die, and the fire is never put out.
Etheridge Translation
where their worm dieth not, and their fire is not quenched.
Murdock Translation
where their worm dieth not, and their fire is not extinguished.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Where their worme dyeth not, and the fire goeth not out.
English Revised Version
where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
World English Bible
'where their worm doesn't die, and the fire is not quenched.'
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
Weymouth's New Testament
where their worm does not die and the fire does not go out.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
and the fier is not quenchid.
Update Bible Version
where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched.
Webster's Bible Translation
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
New English Translation
where their worm never dies and the fire is never quenched.
New King James Version
where'Their worm does not die,And the fire is not quenched.' Isaiah 66:24 ">[fn]
New Living Translation
‘where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out.'
New Life Bible
There is where their worm never dies and the fire is never put out.
New Revised Standard
where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Where, their worm, dieth not, and, the fire, is not quenched,
Douay-Rheims Bible
(9-47) Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not extinguished.
Revised Standard Version
where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
where there worme dyeth not and the fyre never goeth oute.
Young's Literal Translation
where their worm is not dying, and the fire is not being quenched;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
where their worme dyeth not, and their fyre goeth not out.
Mace New Testament (1729)
and the fire is not extinguished.
Simplified Cowboy Version
Here's the skinny of it—everyone will go through a test of fire;

Contextual Overview

41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink, because ye are Christ's, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. 42 And whosoever shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it were better for him if a great millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. 43 And if thy hand cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed, rather than having thy two hands to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire. And if thy foot cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life halt, rather than having thy two feet to be cast into hell. And if thine eye cause thee to stumble, cast it out: it is good for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell; where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. For every one shall be salted with fire. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost its saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace one with another. 44 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There are some here of them that stand by, who shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God come with power. And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them; and his garments became glistering, exceeding white, so as no fuller on earth can whiten them. And there appeared unto them Elijah with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter answereth and saith to Jesus, Rabbi, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. For he knew not what to answer; for they became sore afraid. And there came a cloud overshadowing them: and there came a voice out of the cloud, This is my beloved Son: hear ye him. And suddenly looking round about, they saw no one any more, save Jesus only with themselves. And as they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, save when the Son of man should have risen again from the dead. And they kept the saying, questioning among themselves what the rising again from the dead should mean. And they asked him, saying, How is it that the scribes say that Elijah must first come? And he said unto them, Elijah indeed cometh first, and restoreth all things: and how is it written of the Son of man, that he should suffer many things and be set at nought? But I say unto you, that Elijah is come, and they have also done unto him whatsoever they would, even as it is written of him. And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great multitude about them, and scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the multitude, when they saw him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. And he asked them, What question ye with them? And one of the multitude answered him, Teacher, I brought unto thee my son, who hath a dumb spirit; and wheresoever it taketh him, it dasheth him down: and he foameth, and grindeth his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast it out; and they were not able. And he answereth them and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I bear with you? bring him unto me. And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him grievously; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. And he asked his father, How long time is it since this hath come unto him? And he said, From a child. And oft-times it hath cast him both into the fire and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us. And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst! All things are possible to him that believeth. Straightway the father of the child cried out, and said, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. And when Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I command thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And having cried out, and torn him much, he came out: and the boy became as one dead; insomuch that the more part said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and raised him up; and he arose. And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, How is it that we could not cast it out? And he said unto them, This kind can come out by nothing, save by prayer. And they went forth from thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it. For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered up into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he shall rise again. But they understood not the saying, and were afraid to ask him. And they came to Capernaum: and when he was in the house he asked them, What were ye reasoning on the way? But they held their peace: for they had disputed one with another on the way, who was the greatest. And he sat down, and called the twelve; and he saith unto them, If any man would be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all. And he took a little child, and set him in the midst of them: and taking him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such little children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me. John said unto him, Teacher, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followed not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man who shall do a mighty work in my name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is for us. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink, because ye are Christ's, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. And whosoever shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it were better for him if a great millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. And if thy hand cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed, rather than having thy two hands to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire. 45 And if thy foot cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life halt, rather than having thy two feet to be cast into hell. And if thine eye cause thee to stumble, cast it out: it is good for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell; where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. For every one shall be salted with fire. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost its saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace one with another. 46 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There are some here of them that stand by, who shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God come with power. And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them; and his garments became glistering, exceeding white, so as no fuller on earth can whiten them. And there appeared unto them Elijah with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter answereth and saith to Jesus, Rabbi, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. For he knew not what to answer; for they became sore afraid. And there came a cloud overshadowing them: and there came a voice out of the cloud, This is my beloved Son: hear ye him. And suddenly looking round about, they saw no one any more, save Jesus only with themselves. And as they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, save when the Son of man should have risen again from the dead. And they kept the saying, questioning among themselves what the rising again from the dead should mean. And they asked him, saying, How is it that the scribes say that Elijah must first come? And he said unto them, Elijah indeed cometh first, and restoreth all things: and how is it written of the Son of man, that he should suffer many things and be set at nought? But I say unto you, that Elijah is come, and they have also done unto him whatsoever they would, even as it is written of him. And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great multitude about them, and scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the multitude, when they saw him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. And he asked them, What question ye with them? And one of the multitude answered him, Teacher, I brought unto thee my son, who hath a dumb spirit; and wheresoever it taketh him, it dasheth him down: and he foameth, and grindeth his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast it out; and they were not able. And he answereth them and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I bear with you? bring him unto me. And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him grievously; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. And he asked his father, How long time is it since this hath come unto him? And he said, From a child. And oft-times it hath cast him both into the fire and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us. And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst! All things are possible to him that believeth. Straightway the father of the child cried out, and said, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. And when Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I command thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And having cried out, and torn him much, he came out: and the boy became as one dead; insomuch that the more part said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and raised him up; and he arose. And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, How is it that we could not cast it out? And he said unto them, This kind can come out by nothing, save by prayer. And they went forth from thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it. For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered up into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he shall rise again. But they understood not the saying, and were afraid to ask him. And they came to Capernaum: and when he was in the house he asked them, What were ye reasoning on the way? But they held their peace: for they had disputed one with another on the way, who was the greatest. And he sat down, and called the twelve; and he saith unto them, If any man would be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all. And he took a little child, and set him in the midst of them: and taking him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such little children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me. John said unto him, Teacher, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followed not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man who shall do a mighty work in my name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is for us. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink, because ye are Christ's, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. And whosoever shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it were better for him if a great millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. And if thy hand cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed, rather than having thy two hands to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire. And if thy foot cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life halt, rather than having thy two feet to be cast into hell. 47 And if thine eye cause thee to stumble, cast it out: it is good for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell; 48 where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 49 For every one shall be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost its saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace one with another.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Mark 9:44, Mark 9:46

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:21 - they said Leviticus 6:12 - the fire Ezekiel 47:11 - given Matthew 18:8 - everlasting Matthew 25:46 - everlasting

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. This is repeated again, not only to assure the truth of the thing, but to raise the attention of the mind unto it, and fix an awful impression upon it: the Persic version renders it, "from whence thou shall never find redemption": there is no redemption from hell, as Origen and others have thought.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

See the notes at Matthew 18:7-9. Millstone. See Matthew 18:6.

Mark 9:44-46

Their worm - This figure is taken from Isaiah 66:24. See the notes at that passage. In describing the great prosperity. of the kingdom of the Messiah, Isaiah says that the people of God “shall go forth, and look upon the carcasses of the men who have transgressed against God.” Their enemies would be overcome. They would be slain. The people of God would triumph. The figure is taken from heaps of the dead slain in battle; and the prophet says that the number would be so great that their worm - the worm feeding on the dead - would not die, would live long - as long as there were carcasses to be devoured; and that the fire which was used to burn the bodies of the dead would continue long to burn, and would not be extinguished until they were consumed. The figure, therefore, denotes great misery, and certain and terrible destruction. In these verses it is applied to the state beyond the grave, and is intended to denote that the destruction of the wicked will be awful, widespread, and eternal.

It is not to be supposed that there will be any “real” worm in hell - perhaps no material fire; nor can it be told what was particularly intended by the undying worm. There is no authority for applying it, as is often done, to remorse of conscience, anymore than to any other of the pains and reflections of hell. It is a mere image of loathsome, dreadful, and “eternal” suffering. In what that suffering will consist it is probably beyond the power of any living mortal to imagine. The word their, in the phrase “their worm,” is used merely to keep up the “image” or “figure.” Dead bodies putrefying in that valley would be overrun with worms, while the “fire” would not be confined to them, but would spread to other objects kindled by combustibles through all the valley. It is “not” meant, therefore, that every particular sufferer has a special worm, or has particular sins that cause remorse of conscience. That is a truth, but it does not appear that it is intended to be taught here.

Mark 9:49

Every one shall be salted with fire - Perhaps no passage in the New Testament has given more perplexity to commentators than this, and it may be impossible now to fix its precise meaning. The common idea affixed to it has been, that as salt preserves from putrefaction, so fire, applied to the wicked in hell, will have the property of preserving them in existence, or they will “be” preserved amid the sprinkling of fire, to be continually in their sufferings a sacrifice to the justice of God; but this meaning is not quite satisfactory. Another opinion has been, that as salt was sprinkled on the victim preparatory to its being devoted to God (see Leviticus 2:13), so would “the apostles,” by trials, calamities, etc., represented here by “fire,” be prepared as a sacrifice and offering to God. Probably the passage has no reference at all to future punishment; and the difficulty of interpreting it has arisen from supposing it to be connected with the 48th verse, or given as a “reason” for what is said in “that” verse, rather than considering it as designed to illustrate the “general design” of the passage. The main scope of the passage was not to discourse of future punishment; that is brought in incidentally. The chief object of the passage was -

  1. To teach the apostles that “other men,” not “with them,” might be true Christians, Mark 9:38-39.
  2. That they ought to be disposed to look favorably upon the slightest evidence that they “might be true believers,” Mark 9:41.
  3. That they ought to avoid giving “offence” to such feeble and obscure Christians, Mark 9:42.
  4. That “everything” calculated to give offence, or to dishonor religion, should be removed, Mark 9:43. And,
  5. That everything which would endanger their salvation should be sacrificed; that they should “deny” themselves in every way in order to obtain eternal life. In this way they would be “preserved” to eternal life.

The word “fire,” here, therefore denotes self-denials, sacrifices, trials, in keeping ourselves from the gratification of the flesh. As if he had said, “Look at the sacrifice on the altar. It is an offering to God, about to be presented to him. It is sprinkled with “salt, emblematic of purity, of preservation and of fitting it, therefore, for a sacrifice.” So “you” are devoted to God. You are sacrifices, victims, offerings to him in his service. To make you “acceptable” offerings, every thing must be done to “preserve” you from sin and to “purify” you. Self-denials, subduing the lusts, enduring trials, removing offences, are the proper “preservatives” in the service of God. Doing this, you will be acceptable offerings and be saved; without this, you will be “unfit” for his eternal service and will be lost.”

Mark 9:50

Lost its saltness ... - See the notes at Matthew 5:13.

Have salt in yourselves - Have the preserving, purifying principle always; the principles of denying yourselves, of suppressing pride, ambition, contention, etc., and thus you will be an acceptable offering to God.

Have peace - Avoid contention and quarrelling, struggling for places, honors, and office, and seek each other’s welfare, and religion will be honored and preserved in the world.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 48. Mark 9:43; Mark 9:43.


 
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