Mark Key Verse Summary, Steve Stasinos
BE SALTY CHRISTIANS
Passage: Mark 9:42~50  
Key verse: 50
Causing to Stumble
42 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble,(A) it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.(B) 43 If your hand causes you to stumble,(C) cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell,(D) where the fire never goes out.(E) [44] [a] 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble,(F) cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.(G) [46] [b] 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble,(H) pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,(I) 48 where
49 Everyone will be salted(K) with fire.
50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again?(L) Have salt among yourselves,(M) and be at peace with each other.”(N)
Footnotes
Cross references
- Mark 9:42 : S Mt 5:29
- Mark 9:42 : Mt 18:6; Lk 17:2
- Mark 9:43 : S Mt 5:29
- Mark 9:43 : Mt 5:30; 18:8
- Mark 9:43 : S Mt 25:41
- Mark 9:45 : S Mt 5:29
- Mark 9:45 : Mt 18:8
- Mark 9:47 : S Mt 5:29
- Mark 9:47 : Mt 5:29; 18:9
- Mark 9:48 : Isa 66:24; S Mt 25:41
- Mark 9:49 : Lev 2:13
- Mark 9:50 : Mt 5:13; Lk 14:34, 35
- Mark 9:50 : Col 4:6
- Mark 9:50 : Ro 12:18; 2Co 13:11; 1Th 5:13
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
Jesus also warns us to be serious about our own sins that cause us to fall. We must make personal sacrifices (not literally our body parts) to be free from sin in and around us. It is better to suffer to make personal sacrifices (such as avoiding worldly friends, the Internet, and bars) than to continue in a life of sin and to be judged in the fires of hell.
Jesus describes salt’s greatness as its flavor. Salt tastes bland when it is mixed with other minerals. As Christians, we must cut off sins and impurities in our lives in order to have a godly influence. Or, we will be salted with fire in hell. Also, in ancient times, when two people –including enemies – shared salt, it symbolized a vow of peace. When we make personal sacrifices to remove sin from our lives, we have influence and peace with all others.
Prayer: Lord, please strengthen me to deal seriously with sin and have a godly influence and peace with others.
One Word: Cut off sin and be a salty Christian