Examples of hyperbole in modern speech would include statements like вЂњThis bag of groceries weighs a ton,вЂќ вЂњIвЂ™ve been waiting forever,вЂќ and вЂњEveryone knows that.вЂќ The apostle Paul uses hyperbolic language in Galatians 4:15. Hyperbole is an obvious exaggeration or an intentional overstatement. When Jesus advises us to pluck out a sinful eye or cut off an unruly hand, He is employing a figure of speech known as hyperbole. But it is the radical nature of His statement that makes it so memorable. Jesus had just warned His audience against using their eyes for lustful purposes (Matthew 5:28), so His prescribed remedy for lust-to pluck out an eye-makes sense, in a radical sort of way. Rather, Jesus means that we should be prepared to make exceptional sacrifices if we want to follow Him (see Matthew 16:24). We need not mutilate our bodies as a punishment for our sin. Does Jesus actually mean to say that we should pluck out our eyes or sever a hand if we are prone to sin? It may be of comfort to know that JesusвЂ™ instructions in these particular verses are not meant to be taken literally.

The graphic word pictures of Matthew 5 and 18 still grab attention today, and they raise the question of how literally we should take JesusвЂ™ commands in these passages. Jesus repeats the admonition in Matthew 18:8вЂ“9, except there He adds the need to dispense with a foot as well as a hand and an eye. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hellвЂќ (Matthew 5:29вЂ“30). And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off 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. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says something that must certainly have seized His hearersвЂ™ attention: вЂњIf your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away.

Meaning of cut off