Sermon on Mount, law and fulfillment, visible and hidden, adultery and sacrifice,
Matthew 5:29 And 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.
Matthew 5:29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
Matthew 5:29 So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
If, however, that eye of yours, the right one, trips you up, lift it out and toss away from you! Because it gets you together when it destroys itself, one of those members of yours, and that whole body of work of yours should not tossed in a trash heap.
Small temporary visible sacrifice is preferable to total loss hidden in the future.
We keep ourselves together by sacrificing what trips us up.
While this verse seems very harsh reading its translation in English, in the Greek, it comes across as a humorous exaggeration in the Greek. Keep in mind that Jesus was entertaining an audience.
One part of the humor is the use of the word translated as "offend." This is a verb that means "to cause to stumble" or "to trip up." From there it is assumed by its translators to mean "to give offense" and "to scandalize." Our word "scandalize" comes directly from the Greek. However, this interpretation of the word only comes from the translators of the Gospels. In English, we would simply say, "trips up" capturing the same idea exactly. See this article for more.
Another part of the joke here is hidden in the verb translated as "it is profitable" and "it is better." The verb primarily means "brings together. Its secondary meaning is "confer a benefit." It works in the same sense as our phrase "getting it all together" means getting better. So, by cutting off a hand, you are keeping yourself together.
The combination of plucking out and eye and stumbling, may be a reference to Lev 19:14 "Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD." That verse is the first OT use of the root word Jesus turns into a verb.
The Greek verb translated as "pluck" means literally to "choose out of," as we say "pick out." Its primary meaning is "to take out for oneself" with a strong secondary means of "to choose for oneself." In referring to the "eye," it means both taking out the eye for yourself and choosing the best for yourself. The word is humorous in the way it is applied to a large range of situations. It is much like our phrase 'picking out," which can be applied to making a selecting and pulling out a splinter.
The word translated as "hell" is actually a trash dump outside of Jerusalem. See this article. The word Jesus uses that is translated as "cast/thrown" is one of Jesus's common humor words. See this article.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "and" should be "but."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "right" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "eye" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "offend" should be "trip up."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "be better" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "members" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "perish" should be "lose" or "destroy."
- WV - Wrong Voice - The verb is in the middle voice requiring the concept of "itself" as its object.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "not" here is not the simple negative but one the refers to desire or thought.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "hell" should be "Gehenna," the name of a trash dump.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "however" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "right" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "eye" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "gouge" should be "pick out."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "you" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "because" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "be better" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "to lose" is not an infinitive but a subjective, "should lose."
- WV - Wrong Voice -- The word translated as "lose" should be "lose itself."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "where" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "part" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "of yours" is not shown in the English translation.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "of your body than" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "for" should be "and."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "not want" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "body" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "to be" is not an infinitive but a subjective, "should be."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "hell" should be "Gehenna," the name of a trash dump.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "so" should be "but."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "eye" is not shown in the English translation.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "even your" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "good" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "lust" should be "trip up."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "gouge" should be "pick out."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "because" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "be better" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "to lose" is not an infinitive but a subjective, "should lose."
- WV - Wrong Voice -- The word translated as "lose" should be "lose itself."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "members" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "where" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "of yours" is not shown in the English translation.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "of your body than" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "for" should be "and."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "not want" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "body" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "to be" is not an infinitive but a subjective, "should be."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "hell" should be "Gehenna," the name of a trash dump.
And -- (WW) The word translated as "and," is usually translated as "but" or "however." "However" gives a similar feel to the Greek because the Greek word always appears as the second word in the phrase, which doesn't work with "but" or "and."
if -- The "if" here expresses a condition but it means nothing regarding whether that condition is met or not. It also means "if ever" and "whenever."
thy -- The word translated as "thy" is the possessive form of the second person pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
right -- The Greek word for "right" means "right" but it has a few different connotations in Greek than English. It means "lucky" and "clever." In the original text, this word is used as a noun after the word eye so it has the sense of "the right one" or "the clever one." It describes the "eye" in the previous verse looking at a woman.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
eye -- The word translated as "eye" means "eye," and has many of the same uses as a metaphor as English, but different ones also. For example, the head of a household was called the "eye" of the household. The king's "eye" was considered his confidant.
offend -- (WW) "Offend" is a verb that means "to cause to stumble" or "to trip up." From there it is assumed by its translators to mean "to give offense" and "to scandalize." Our word "scandalize" come directly from the Greek. However, this interpretation of the word only comes from the translators of the Gospels. Literally, it is a made up word like "stumblize."
thee, -- The word for "thee" is the indirect object form of the pronoun.
pluck -- The Greek verb translated as "pluck" means literally to "choose out of," but its primary meaning is "to take out for oneself" with a strong secondary means of "to choose for oneself. In referring to the "eye," it means both taking out the eye for yourself and choosing the best for yourself. The word is humorous in the way it is applied to a large range of situations. It is much like our phrase 'picking out," which can be applied to making a selecting and pulling out a splinter.
it -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The word means "the same" when used as an adjective.
out, -- This is from the prefix of the previous verb that means "from" or "out of."
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as".
cast -- The Greek word translated as "cast" means "to throw" or "to toss." Christ uses it most commonly in the sense of "tossing out" something from demons to trash. Like our word, "to toss" it takes on a humorous feeling the way Jesus uses it.
it -- This English objective pronoun is added and not in the Greek source. In Greek, pronoun objects are not repeated after each verb because they are implied by their first occurrence.
from -- The word translated as "from" means "from" in both location and when referring to a source.
thee: -- The word translated as "thee" is the form of the second person pronoun required by the preposition to show motion.
for --The word translated as "for" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why." However, since this word always appears in the second position, it is more like an aside remark like, "consequently" or "as a cause".
it -- - This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
is -- This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb, which is expressed here as an adjective.
profitable -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "profitable" is a verb that primarily means "bring together" and "to gather." In English, we use "assist" in the same sense. So it also means to "work with", "help", or "be useful" in the sense of conferring a benefit. In an adjective form (not used here), it has the sense of "fitting" and "useful". The sense is that "it is good for one."
for - This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English, but the translator must decide which preposition to use. That preposition could be a "to," "with," "in," "of," "as," "by," "for," "at" or "on," depending on the context.
thee -- The word translated as "thy" is the possessive form of the second person pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
that -- The word translated as "that" is an adverb or conjunction that starts a subordinate clause "there", "where," and "in order that."
one -- The Greek word translated as "one thing" means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same."The word the subject of the word translated as "perish."
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
thy -- The word translated as "thy" is the possessive form of the second person pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
members -- The word translated as "member" primarily means "limb." However, it also means a "feature," that is, a part of the whole. However, coupled with the one, it suggests a double entendre for another part of the body that is more like a limb. See this article for more.
should -- The helping verb here is from the form of the verb that often requires a "should" or "might" because it indicates a possibility.
perish, -- (WW) The word translated as "perish" also means "to lose." Jesus often uses it to mean "to destroy", but in a form where the thing (here the number "one") acts on itself, so "destroy itself."
missing "by/for itself"-- (WV) A phrase is necessary because the form of the word is a middle voice, which means that the subject is to act for, or, or by itself.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
not -- (CW) The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" to do something, not that it isn't done or don't think something that might be true With the verb "to be," the sense is "doesn't seem." When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. Here, it precedes "whole."
that -- The word translated as "that" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") that the English "the." See this article for more.
thy -- The word translated as "thy" is the possessive form of the second person pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
whole -- The word translated as "whole" means something that is "complete" or "the whole" of something, and can mean "the whole universe" as well as being "safe and sound" in being kept "whole."
body -- The word translated as "body" means "body", either living or dead, but it also means anything physical or solid. Like our word "body" it has special meanings such as "body" of proof and the "body" of a document. It is the opposite of "spirit" but more connected to the "soul" because it is part of this life. It is the physical substance of things, the body of men and animals or of heavenly bodies or groups of people. See this article for more.
should -- The helping verb here is from the form of the verb that often requires a "should" or "might" because it indicates a possibility.
be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
cast -- The Greek word translated as "cast" means "to throw" or "to toss." Christ uses it most commonly in the sense of "tossing out" something from demons to trash. Like our word, "to toss" it takes on a humorous feeling the way Jesus uses it.
into -- The word translated as "unto" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, and "up to" limits in time and measure.
hell. -- (WW) The word "hell" is the name of an area, Gehenna, where a constant fire was kept for disposing of trash from Jerusalem. This area was originally where children were sacrificed to Baal, and Baal (Beelzebub, "lord of the flies"), Christ's personification of evil. See this article on the words for "hell".
If -- The "if" here expresses a condition but it means nothing regarding whether that condition is met or not. It also means "if ever" and "whenever."
missing "however"-- (MW) The untranslated word "however," is usually translated as "but" or "however." "However" gives a similar feel to the Greek because the Greek word always appears as the second word in the phrase, which doesn't work with "but" or "and."
your -- The word translated as "your " is the possessive form of the second person pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
right -- The Greek word for "right" means "right" but it has a few different connotations in Greek than English. It means "lucky" and "clever." In the original text, this word is used as a noun after the word eye so it has the sense of "the right one" or "the clever one."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
eye -- The word translated as "eye" means "eye," and has many of the same uses as a metaphor as English, but different ones also. For example, the head of a household was called the "eye" of the household. The king's "eye" was considered his confidant.
causes -- "Causes" is the verb part of the phrase "to cause to stumble" or "to trip up." , it is a made up word like "stumblize."
you, -- The word for "you" is the indirect object form of the pronoun.
to -- This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English. The Greek verb is not an infinitive but needed for the way the verb is translated into English.
stumble, -- "Stumble" is the intransitive verb part of the phrase "to cause to stumble" or "to trip up." From there it is assumed by its translators to mean "to give offense" and "to scandalize." Our word "scandalize" come directly from the Greek. However, this interpretation of the word only comes from the translators of the Gospels. Literally, it is a made up word like "stumblize."
gouge -- (WW) The Greek verb translated as "gouge " means literally to "choose out of," but its primary meaning is "to take out for oneself" with a strong secondary means of "to choose for oneself. In referring to the "eye," it means both taking out the eye for yourself and choosing the best for yourself. The word is humorous in the way it is applied to a large range of situations. It is much like our phrase 'picking out," which can be applied to making a selecting and pulling out a splinter.
it -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The word means "the same" when used as an adjective.
out, -- This is from the prefix of the previous verb that means "from" or "out of."
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as".
throw -- The Greek word translated as "throw" means "to throw" or "to toss." Christ uses it most commonly in the sense of "tossing out" something from demons to trash. Like our word, "to toss" it takes on a humorous feeling the way Jesus uses it.
it -- This English objective pronoun is added and not in the Greek source. In Greek, pronoun objects are not repeated after each verb because they are implied by their first occurrence.
away-- The word translated as "away" means "from" in both location and when referring to a source.
missing "you"-- (MW) The untranslated word "you" is the form of the second person pronoun required by the preposition to show motion.
missing "because"-- (MW) The untranslated word "because" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why." However, since this word always appears in the second position, it is more like an aside remark like, "consequently" or "as a cause".
it -- - This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
is -- This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb, which is expressed here as an adjective.
better - (CW) The verb translated as "be better" means "to bring together," "work with," and "agree with." The word translated as "it is expedient" primarily means "to collect" or "bring together." One of its secondary meanings is "to confer a benefit." It was used like we use the phrase "getting it together" to mean making an improvement. Jesus always uses it humorously playing on the "getting it together" sense of improvement.
for - This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English, but the translator must decide which preposition to use. That preposition could be a "to," "with," "in," "of," "as," "by," "for," "at" or "on," depending on the context.
you -- The word translated as "you" is the possessive form of the second person pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
to -- (WF) The helping verb here indicates an infinitive verb, but the form of the verb is one that often requires a "should" or "might" because it indicates a possibility.
lose -- The word translated as "perish" also means "to lose." Jesus often uses it to mean "to destroy", but in a form where the thing (here the number "one") acts on itself, so "destroy itself."
missing "by/for itself"-- (WV) A phrase is necessary because the form of the word is a middle voice, which means that the subject is to act for, or, or by itself.
missing "where"-- (MW) The untranslated word "where" is an adverb or conjunction that starts a subordinate clause "there", "where," and "in order that."
one -- The Greek word translated as "one" means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same."The word the subject of the word translated as "perish."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
part -- The word translated as "part" primarily means "limb." However, it also means a "feature," that is, a part of the whole. However, coupled with the one, it suggests a double entendre for another part of the body that is more like a limb.
missing "of yours "-- (MW) The untranslated word "of yours" is the possessive form of the second person pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
of your body than -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "of your body than" in the Greek source.
for -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
missing "not want" -- (MW) The untranslated word here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" to do something, not that it isn't done or don't think something that might be true With the verb "to be," the sense is "doesn't seem." When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. Here, it precedes "whole."
your -- The word translated as "your" is the possessive form of the second person pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") that the English "the." See this article for more.
whole -- The word translated as "whole" means something that is "complete" or "the whole" of something, and can mean "the whole universe" as well as being "safe and sound" in being kept "whole."
body -- The word translated as "body" means "body", either living or dead, but it also means anything physical or solid. Like our word "body" it has special meanings such as "body" of proof and the "body" of a document. It is the opposite of "spirit" but more connected to the "soul" because it is part of this life. It is the physical substance of things, the body of men and animals or of heavenly bodies or groups of people. See this article for more.
to -- (WF) The helping verb here indicates an infinitive verb, but the form of the verb is one that often requires a "should" or "might" because it indicates a possibility.
be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
thrown -- The Greek word translated as "thrown " means "to throw" or "to toss." Christ uses it most commonly in the sense of "tossing out" something from demons to trash. Like our word, "to toss" it takes on a humorous feeling the way Jesus uses it.
into -- The word translated as "unto" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, and "up to" limits in time and measure.
hell. -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "hell" refers to the trash dump outside of Jerusalem. See this article on the words for "hell".
So -- (WW) The word translated as "so," is usually translated as "but" or "however." "However" gives a similar feel to the Greek because the Greek word always appears as the second word in the phrase, which doesn't work with "but" or "and."
If -- The "if" here expresses a condition but it means nothing regarding whether that condition is met or not. It also means "if ever" and "whenever."
your -- The word translated as "your " is the possessive form of the second person pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
eye -- The word translated as "eye" means "eye," and has many of the same uses as a metaphor as English, but different ones also. For example, the head of a household was called the "eye" of the household. The king's "eye" was considered his confidant.
even your -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "even you" in the Greek source.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
good -- The Greek word for "good" means "right" but it has a few different connotations in Greek than English. It means "lucky" and "clever." In the original text, this word is used as a noun after the word eye so it has the sense of "the right one" or "the clever one."
eye -- The word "eye" is not repeated, but Greek does not repeat words as much as English does.
causes -- "Causes" is the verb part of the phrase "to cause to stumble" or "to trip up." , it is a made up word like "stumblize."
you, -- The word for "you" is the indirect object form of the pronoun.
to -- This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English. The Greek verb is not an infinitive but needed for the way the verb is translated into English.
lust -- (WW) "Lust" is the intransitive verb part of the phrase "to cause to stumble" or "to trip up." From there it is assumed by its translators to mean "to give offense" and "to scandalize." Our word "scandalize" come directly from the Greek. However, this interpretation of the word only comes from the translators of the Gospels. Literally, it is a made up word like "stumblize."
gouge -- (WW) The Greek verb translated as "gouge " means literally to "choose out of," but its primary meaning is "to take out for oneself" with a strong secondary means of "to choose for oneself. In referring to the "eye," it means both taking out the eye for yourself and choosing the best for yourself. The word is humorous in the way it is applied to a large range of situations. It is much like our phrase 'picking out," which can be applied to making a selecting and pulling out a splinter.
it -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The word means "the same" when used as an adjective.
out, -- This is from the prefix of the previous verb that means "from" or "out of."
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as".
throw -- The Greek word translated as "throw" means "to throw" or "to toss." Christ uses it most commonly in the sense of "tossing out" something from demons to trash. Like our word, "to toss" it takes on a humorous feeling the way Jesus uses it.
it -- This English objective pronoun is added and not in the Greek source. In Greek, pronoun objects are not repeated after each verb because they are implied by their first occurrence.
away-- The word translated as "away" means "from" in both location and when referring to a source.
missing "you"-- (MW) The untranslated word "you" is the form of the second person pronoun required by the preposition to show motion.
missing "because"-- (MW) The untranslated word "because" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why." However, since this word always appears in the second position, it is more like an aside remark like, "consequently" or "as a cause".
it -- - This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
is -- This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb, which is expressed here as an adjective.
better - (CW) The verb translated as "be better" means "to bring together," "work with," and "agree with." The word translated as "it is expedient" primarily means "to collect" or "bring together." One of its secondary meanings is "to confer a benefit." It was used like we use the phrase "getting it together" to mean making an improvement. Jesus always uses it humorously playing on the "getting it together" sense of improvement.
for - This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English, but the translator must decide which preposition to use. That preposition could be a "to," "with," "in," "of," "as," "by," "for," "at" or "on," depending on the context.
you -- The word translated as "you" is the possessive form of the second person pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
to -- (WF) The helping verb here indicates an infinitive verb, but the form of the verb is one that often requires a "should" or "might" because it indicates a possibility.
lose -- The word translated as "perish" also means "to lose." Jesus often uses it to mean "to destroy", but in a form where the thing (here the number "one") acts on itself, so "destroy itself."
missing "by/for itself"-- (WV) A phrase is necessary because the form of the word is a middle voice, which means that the subject is to act for, or, or by itself.
missing "where"-- (MW) The untranslated word "where" is an adverb or conjunction that starts a subordinate clause "there", "where," and "in order that."
one -- The Greek word translated as "one" means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same."The word the subject of the word translated as "perish."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
part -- The word translated as "part" primarily means "limb." However, it also means a "feature," that is, a part of the whole. However, coupled with the one, it suggests a double entendre for another part of the body that is more like a limb.
missing "of yours "-- (MW) The untranslated word "of yours" is the possessive form of the second person pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
of your body than -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "of your body than" in the Greek source.
for -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
missing "not want" -- (MW) The untranslated word here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" to do something, not that it isn't done or don't think something that might be true With the verb "to be," the sense is "doesn't seem." When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. Here, it precedes "whole."
your -- The word translated as "your" is the possessive form of the second person pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") that the English "the." See this article for more.
whole -- The word translated as "whole" means something that is "complete" or "the whole" of something, and can mean "the whole universe" as well as being "safe and sound" in being kept "whole."
body -- The word translated as "body" means "body", either living or dead, but it also means anything physical or solid. Like our word "body" it has special meanings such as "body" of proof and the "body" of a document. It is the opposite of "spirit" but more connected to the "soul" because it is part of this life. It is the physical substance of things, the body of men and animals or of heavenly bodies or groups of people. See this article for more.
to -- (WF) The helping verb here indicates an infinitive verb, but the form of the verb is one that often requires a "should" or "might" because it indicates a possibility.
be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
thrown -- The Greek word translated as "thrown " means "to throw" or "to toss." Christ uses it most commonly in the sense of "tossing out" something from demons to trash. Like our word, "to toss" it takes on a humorous feeling the way Jesus uses it.
into -- The word translated as "unto" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, and "up to" limits in time and measure.
hell. -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "hell" refers to the trash dump outside of Jerusalem. See this article on the words for "hell".
εἰ (conj) "If" is from ei, which is the particle used to express conditions "if" (implying nothing about its fulfillment) or indirect questions, "whether." It also means "if ever", "in case," and "whenever." It is combined with various conjunctions to create derivative conditions.
δὲ (partic) "And" is from de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be an explanation of cause ("so").
ὁ (article sg masc nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ὀφθαλμός (noun sg masc nom) "Eye" is from ophthalmos, which means "eye", "sight", "the dearest and best", "light", "cheer", "comfort," and "the bud [of a plant]."
σου (pron 2nd sg gen) "Thy" is from sou which means "you" and "your."
ὁ (article sg masc nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). --
δεξιὸς (adj sg masc nom) "Right" is from dexios, which means "on the right hand", "fortunate", "skillful", "ready", "clever," and "kindly."
σκανδαλίζει (3rd sg pres ind act) "Offend" is skandalizo, which means "to cause to stumble", "to give offense," and "to scandalize." This is the verb form of skandolon, meaning "trap," "snare," or "stumbling block."
σε (pron 2nd sg acc) "Thee" is from su which means "you" and "your."
ἔξελε [2 verses](2nd sg aor imperat act) "Pluck...out" is from exaireo, which means "to take out", "to take out for oneself", "to remove from stock", "to choose for oneself", "to chose", "to carry off booty", "to have accepted", "to be set apart [for funds]", "to remove [people]", "to destroy", "to annul," and "to set free." It literally means "to choose from."
αὐτὸν (adj sg masc acc) "It" is from autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself", "yourself", "himself", "herself", "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him", "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord."
καὶ (conj) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just."
βάλε (2nd sg aor imperat act) "Cast" is from ballo (ballo), which means "to throw", "to let fall", "to put", "to pour," or "to cast."
ἀπὸ (prep) "From" is from apo, a preposition of separation which means "from" or "away from" from when referring to a place or a motion, "from" or "after" when referring to time, "from" as an origin or cause.
σοῦ, (pron 2nd sg gen) "Thee" is from sou which means "you" and "your."
συμφέρει [5 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "It is profitable" is symphero, which means "to bring together", "to gather", "collect", "contribute", "to confer a benefit", "to be useful", "work with", "be with," and "agree with." In the passive, it means "to come together", "to engage", "to battle," [of events] "to occur", "to happen," "to turn out" and [literally] "to be carried along with."
γάρ (partic) "For" comes from gar (gar) which is the introduction of a clause explaining a reason or explanation: "for", "since," and "as." In an abrupt question it means "why" and "what."
σοι (pron 2nd sg dat ) "For you" is from su which means "you" and "your."
ἵνα (conj) "That" is from hina, which means "in that place", "there", "where", "when", "that", "in order that", "when," and "because."
ἀπόληται (3rd sg aor subj mid) "Should perish" is from apollymi, which means "to demolish", "to lay waste", "to lose", "to perish", "to die", "to cease to exist," and "to be undone."
ἓν (noun sg neut nom) "One" is from heis, which means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same." As in English, it can be used as a pronoun, meaning a single person.
τῶν (article pl neut gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
μελῶν [2 verses](noun pl neut gen) "Members" is melos, which means "limb", "feature", "form", "a musical phrase," and "the music to which a song is set."
σου (pron 2nd sg gen) "Thy" is from sou which means "you" and "your."
καὶ (conj) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just."
μὴ (partic) "Not" is from me, which is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." As οὐ (ou) negates fact and statement; μή rejects, οὐ denies; μή is relative, οὐ absolute; μή subjective, οὐ objective.
ὅλον (adj sg neut nom/acc) "Whole" is holos, which means "the whole", "entire", "the universe," and "safe and sound."
τὸ (article sg neut nom/acc) "That" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
σῶμά (noun sg neut nom/acc) "Body" is soma, which is the physical substance of things, the body of men and animals or of heavenly bodies or groups of people.
σου (pron 2nd sg gen) "Thy" is from sou which means "you" and "your."
βληθῇ (3rd sg aor subj pass ) "Should be cast" is from ballo, which means "to throw", "to let fall", "to put", "to pour," or "to cast."
εἰς (prep) "Into" is from eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)", "until (of time)", "as much as (of measure or limit)", "as far as (of measure or limit)", "towards (to express relation)", "in regard to (to express relation)", "of an end or limit," and "for (of purpose or object)."
γέενναν: (noun sg fem acc) "Hell" is geenna, which is Greek for Gehenna, the valley of Hinnom (the Hebrew word), south of Jerusalem where trash, including diseased animals and human bodies were burned. A constant fire was kept burning there. This area was originally where children were sacrificed to Baal, and Baal (Beelzebub, "lord of the flies") is the name that Christ says others call him as the personification of evil.
The "right eye" also means a "lucky sight," in this case, referring to looking at an attractive woman.
"Plucking out" an eye also means "picking out" the best "for yourself."
“When it comes to pretty women,” he complained, “my right eye has a heart of its own!”
Many in the crowd, mostly the men, laughed. Again, others, mostly the women, tried to shush them.
The Nazarene smiled sadly at Janus’s statement and nodded his head in agreement.
“If, however, that eye of yours—” the Teacher responded, speaking directly to Janus.
“The right one!” interrupted Janus. He stood to make himself better heard and took a step toward the speaking area.
Because of his drunken condition, he stumbled.
“The right one,” observed the Nazarene with a smile, “trips you up!”
The Master closed his right eyes and copied Janus’s drunken stumble, exaggerating it.
And in an instant, the Master shifted from a serious mood to a lighthearted one.
“Pluck it out!” commanded the Teacher in a jolly voice.
He happily pretended to tug out his eye, holding it up and wagging his finger at it accusingly until we laughed.
“And toss it away from you!” he added happy still addressing Janus personally. He repeated his throwing-out-the-trash gesture.
We laughed. This gesture was also funnier every time he used it.
“Because it helps you,” he continued easily, “when it destroys itself, one of those...”
He seemed to search for the right word. Then he held up his fist with its little finger extended. It was the Judean “tiny member” gesture.
“Members of yours!” he said brightly to Janus.
The crowd laughed, especially as Janus began complaining.
“And you don’t want that whole body of yours,” the Teacher continued, pretending to pick up something heavy, “being tossed...”
He repeated his throwing-out-the-trash gesture but this time staggering as if bearing the weight of a body.
“Into Gehenna!” he finished, dusting off his hands and holding his nose as before.
We responded by laughing and applauding.