Bible Strands
Mark 9:48
where ‘their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.’
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his followers on the consequences of causing others to sin, warning that removing a sinful limb is preferable to being cast into hell.
The words — The Greek σκώληξ (skōlēx) translates literally to "worm" and τελευτᾷ (teleuta) means "dies," forming the clause "their worm never dies."
The thread — The worm imagery parallels Isaiah 66:24's account of rebel corpses, while the surrounding warnings of destruction and fire align with Mark 9:43 and Mark 9:49.
Why it lands — The text describes a location of perpetual decay and unending fire, requiring immediate and decisive removal of sin rather than gradual tolerance.
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.
The Greek words
King James Version
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 66:24 “As they go forth, they will see the corpses of the men who have rebelled against Me; for their worm will never die, their fire will never be quenched, and they will be a horror to all mankind.”
- Matthew 25:41 Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
- Mark 9:43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two hands and go into hell, into the unquenchable fire.