Matthew 17:24-18:9, Mark 9:33-50, and Luke 9:46-50
…where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched. (Mark 9:48) Jesus is citing this verse to “describe” hell (or some aspect of hell). In so doing he is quoting Isaiah (also in verses 44 and 46, left out in some manuscripts), but what’s intriguing to me is that this quote is the very end, the very last verse of Isaiah’s 66 chapters! Here is the entire verse: And they shall go out and look on the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against Me. For their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh. (Isaiah 66:24) That entire section, Isaiah66:15-24, is speaking of the end times and the final judgment. It is often the case in Scripture that a speaker or writer cites one or two verses, but is reflecting to his audience an entire larger portion of Scripture that provides the larger context. So it is with Jesus’ quote here.
There are four vignettes covered in these three readings today, one of which is covered by only one author, two of which are covered by two authors, but only one which is covered by all three Gospel writers – the question of “Who is the greatest?” I note in the second link below that each of the writers has a different introduction to this discussion. But Jesus has the same answer, no matter how the question is raised: Humility! If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all. (Mark 9:35b) Just that…
See also: