The Eye and the Hand Matthew 5

KJV Matthew 5:29-30
29. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Think of the physical aspects of the parable and write them out in your own words. Identify the key words and write a brief analysis, concentrating on how the physical aspects teach a moral lesson.

Sight is achieved through the eyes, which send images to the brain. These images can be analyzed by the brain to achieve emotions and conclusions. To a large degree the eyes lead the body. Often sight is the first sense to provide information to the brain. The eyes work in conjunction with other parts of the body to perform operations.

In modern times, many more temptations are designed to entrap the eyes. Television, video and computers utilize techniques to entice the eyes. Marketing employs images to exploit the sense of vision. The goal is to lure the consumer into a false sense of security in an attempt to bring about an irrational decision.

Eyes are also used to appreciate the natural beauty of nature, God’s creation. They also recognize the needs and emotions of others.

Through sight, the eyes can provide warnings of danger.

Hands provide the sense of touch, and are used for performing tasks. Hands can be used to convey emotions. They can be used to help and hinder others. Hands do not make decisions, they merely play a part in carrying out the mission.

To find the spiritual meaning of key words, scripture containing the key words must be located and compared with the context of the parable.

Eye

KJV Judges 21:25. In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

KJV 1 Kings 15:11. And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did David his father.

These texts clearly show eyes have a spiritual meaning. In both instances the Bible shows us, eyes have a role in accepting or rejecting moral standards.

KJV Numbers 22:31. Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.

KJV 2 Kings 6:17. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

KJV Psalms 13:3. Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;

God has the power to open eyes so they are able to clearly see and understand spiritual matters. How do we obtain spiritual enlightenment to open our eyes? Only the Bible can provide answers to a spiritual subject.

KJV Psalms 19:8. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

KJV Psalms 119:18. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

KJV Luke 2:30. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

Our eyes are spiritually opened when we understand God’s law and salvation. There is a relationship between these two subjects, which can only be understood after examining them in a spiritual context.

There is also a spiritual aspect of the eyes of people, who prefer not to follow God.

KJV Proverbs 12:15. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

KJV Proverbs 30:12. There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.

KJV Psalms 69:23. Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.

KJV Jeremiah 5:21. Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:

Eyes can be spiritually deceived, resulting in a lack of moral and spiritual understanding. Often this is a choice of lifestyle.

KJV Psalms 91:8. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

KJV Psalms 36:1. The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.

KJV Proverbs 27:20. Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

KJV Proverbs 28:22. He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

Eyes convey greed, and greed breeds sin. This results in a spiritual blindness, leading away from God.

Eyes spiritually represent either a connection or separation from God. Open eyes represent a connection. Closed or evil eyes represent a separation caused by greed and other sins.

Hand

KJV Exodus 15:6. Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.

KJV Psalms 16:11. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

KJV Psalms 17:6. I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. 7. Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them. 8. Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

KJV Psalms 20:6. Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.

KJV Psalms 48:10. According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.

While studying the word, hand, throughout the Bible, it is easy to see why Jesus specifically mentioned the right hand in His parable. Jesus understood, the right hand represents God’s saving power.

As with the eyes, the hand has two spiritual meanings. Other verses provide information that teach about hands, which produce actions contrary to God.

KJV 2 Kings 19:18. And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.

KJV 2 Kings 22:17. Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.

KJV 2 Chronicles 32:19. And they spake against the God of Jerusalem, as against the gods of the people of the earth, which were the work of the hands of man.

KJV Psalms 26:9. Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: 10. In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.

KJV Revelation 13:16. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

Since Jesus referred to a human hand, this study would not be complete without comparing texts regarding the accomplishments produced by human hands, in order to understand why Jesus would suggest cutting it off. When we understand the implications which have been studied, we can clearly see, the spiritual meaning. When used for evil, the hand represents worship of an idol or another god. Idols take on many forms. Properly identifying them can become a study all its own.

The most interesting reference text is Revelation 13:16, which identifies a spiritual mark in the right hand or forehead. There is no physical mark identified in the Bible. The parable of the eye and hand help to explain the spiritual meaning of this mystery.

After comparing scripture with scripture, it is clear to see the eye Jesus referred to represents greed. The hand spiritually represents man made gods, idols, and greed. Jesus was not referring to plucking out a physical eye, or cutting off a physical hand, He was expounding on the thoughts which led to the actions these members represent. It would not do any good to remove the physical members if the immoral attitudes still existed. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. KJV Matthew 23:25-26

To complete this study the parable can be paraphrased substituting the spiritual meanings of the key words.

KJV Matthew 5:29-30
29. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

And if greed offends you, pluck it out, and cast it from you: for it is profitable for you that one of your members should perish, and not that your whole body should be cast into hell. And if your idols offend you, cut it off, and cast it from you: for it is profitable for you that one of your members should perish, and not that your whole body should be cast into hell.

This parable teaches a far greater lesson than that which appears on the surface. Healing can only be achieved when people understand the spiritual interpretation. If you only look at the physical, you will only learn to hurt and condemn. When you take the time to understand the spiritual, you gain the ability to not only identify sin, but to offer the alternative. This was the lesson Jesus taught. This is revealed only after understanding the spiritual meaning of the two key words studied in this lesson.

Imagine trying to drive through a crowded parking lot with your eyes closed. You may think you know the way, and in the beginning it may seem like an easy task. If you choose to continue to advance with your eyes closed, you are certain to cause serious damage. The longer your eyes remain shut, the more disorientated you will become, the more damage you will cause.

The same is true with the heart. The longer our eyes and heart remain shut to spiritual matters, the more disorientated we become, the more likely we are to cause serious damage. When people look at only the physical aspects of this parable, they may interpret it as an excuse to pluck out eyes or cut off hands, thinking they are serving God. As shown by this study, this will not do a thing to cure the real problem, which is spiritual.

To see the connection between the moral and spiritual lessons taught by Jesus, compare the physical aspects of the eye and hand to the scriptures collected. Take the time to compare each detail. Notice how God explains each in much greater detail than humans are capable of.