The Pulpit Commentary on Mark 9:49

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

For every one shall be salted with fire; and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. According to the most approved authorities, the second clause of this verse should be omitted, although it is evident that our Lord had in his mind the words in Leviticus it.

13, "Every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt." Every one shall be salted with fire. "Every one." The statement is general in its application. There is no limitation. The good and the evil alike shall be "salted with fire."

There is an apparent incongruity here. But it must be remembered that both the salt and the fire are here used in a metaphorical sense; and there is a fire which is penal, and there is a fire which purifies.

In the case of the wicked the fire is penal; and the salting with fire in their case can only mean the anguish of a tormented conscience, which must be commensurate with its existence in the same moral condition.

But there is a fire which purifies. St. Peter, addressing the Christians of the Dispersion (1 Peter 4:12), bids them not to think it strange concerning the "fiery trial" which was among them. This was their "salting with fire."

Those persecutions which they suffered were their discipline of affliction, through which God was purifying and preserving them. This discipline is necessary for all Christians. They must arm themselves with the same mind, even though they may not live in a time of outward persecution.

He who parts with the hand, or the foot, or the eye; that is, he who surrenders what is dear to him—he who parts with what, if he was only to confer with flesh and blood, he would rather keep, for the sake of Christ, is going through the discipline of self-sacrifice, which is often painful and severe, but nevertheless purifying.

He is salted with fire; but he is pro-served by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

More for Mark 9:49

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

The Pulpit Commentary on Mark 9:1-50Mark 9:1-50 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION The Pulpit Commentary on Mark 9:38-50Mark 9:38-50 · The Pulpit CommentaryStumbling-blocks. The same spirit which had led to the disputing as to "who was the greatest," had prompted the forbidding of one who, in Jesus' Name, was "casting out devils." The only reason assigned for the authorita…The Pulpit Commentary on Mark 9:38-50Mark 9:38-50 · The Pulpit CommentaryMarked sins. There are some sins which are singled out for peculiar denunciation by the Spirit and Word of Christ. They are extremely opposed to the ends and purport of the kingdom. I. INTOLERANCE. That is, the hinderin…Matthew Henry on Mark 9:41-50Mark 9:41-50 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryIt is repeatedly said of the wicked, Their worm dieth not, as well as, The fire is never quenched. Doubtless, remorse of conscience and keen self-reflection are this never-dying worm. Surely it is beyond compare better…Pain to Be Preferred to SinMark 9:41-50 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BiblePAIN TO BE PREFERRED TO SIN. Here, I. Christ promiseth a reward to all those that are any way kind to his disciples (Mark 9:41); "Whosoever shall give you a cup of water, when you need it, and will be a refreshment to y…The Pulpit Commentary on Mark 9:42-50Mark 9:42-50 · The Pulpit CommentaryParallel passage: Matthew 18:6-9. Christ's love to his little ones, and offenses. I. Love to the little ones. Christ's little ones are either young believers or weak believers. A kindness shown them is accepted by Chris…

commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Mark 9:1-50EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Mark 9:38-50Stumbling-blocks. The same spirit which had led to the disputing as to "who was the greatest," had prompted the forbidding of one who, in Jesus' Name, was "casting out devils." The only reason assigned for the authorita…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Mark 9:38-50Marked sins. There are some sins which are singled out for peculiar denunciation by the Spirit and Word of Christ. They are extremely opposed to the ends and purport of the kingdom. I. INTOLERANCE. That is, the hinderin…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryMatthew Henry on Mark 9:41-50It is repeatedly said of the wicked, Their worm dieth not, as well as, The fire is never quenched. Doubtless, remorse of conscience and keen self-reflection are this never-dying worm. Surely it is beyond compare better…Matthew Henry commentaryPain to Be Preferred to SinPAIN TO BE PREFERRED TO SIN. Here, I. Christ promiseth a reward to all those that are any way kind to his disciples (Mark 9:41); "Whosoever shall give you a cup of water, when you need it, and will be a refreshment to y…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Mark 9:42-50Parallel passage: Matthew 18:6-9. Christ's love to his little ones, and offenses. I. Love to the little ones. Christ's little ones are either young believers or weak believers. A kindness shown them is accepted by Chris…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Mark 9:42-50Warnings. With these solemn words our Lord closed his arduous and faithful ministry in Galilee. Christ's language was usually language of grace and encouragement; but there were occasions, like the present, when he spok…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Mark 9:43-49The value of deliverance from spiritual snares. I. ILLUSTRATED BY: 1. Relative importance of float which is sacrificed and that which is saved. They are as parts to the whole: as external limbs or members compared with…Joseph S. Exell and contributors