Bible Strands
Mark 9:44
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
King James Version
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples amid a series of warnings about personal sin and the eternal fate of those who cause others to stumble. He speaks this during his journey toward Jerusalem, using stark physical metaphors to illustrate spiritual reality.
The words — The Greek σκώληξ αὐτῶν οὐ τελευτᾷ (skōlēx autōn ou teleuta) literally translates to "their worm does not die," directly describing the state of the condemned. This phrase is coupled with the image of a fire that remains unquenched.
The thread — This exact combination of a dying worm and unextinguished fire originates in Isaiah 66:24, where it depicts the final fate of rebel corpses. The phrase reappears in the parallel warning of Mark 9:48.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to prioritize eternal life over temporary bodily comfort by removing sin immediately. It demands a decisive break with whatever causes spiritual ruin rather than rationalizing continued compromise.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.