Bible Strands
Mark 9:46
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 while teaching them about the severe consequences of causing others to sin. He delivers this warning immediately between instructions to cut off a foot or pluck out an eye to avoid being thrown into hell.
The words — The Greek term σκώληξ (skōlēx) literally means "worm," and τελευτᾷ (teleuta) means "dies." Together with ὅπου (hopou, "where"), they form the phrase "where their worm does not die."
The thread — This imagery echoes Isaiah 66:24, which describes the corpses of those who rebel against God as food for worms and unquenchable fire. Jesus also quotes this exact phrase in Mark 9:48 as the conclusion to the warning.
Why it lands — The text states that in a place of judgment, a worm does not die and fire is not quenched. Interpreters traditionally link this to eternal conscious punishment, but the verse itself only describes unending decay and burning.
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.