{Causeth thee to stumble} (skandalizei se). This is far
better than the Authorized Version "_Offend thee_."  _Braid
Scots_ has it rightly "ensnare ye." It is not the notion of
giving offence or provoking, but of setting a trap or snare for
one. The substantive (skandalon, from skandal(8874)hron) means
the stick in the trap that springs and closes the trap when the
animal touches it. Pluck out the eye when it is a snare, cut off
the hand, even the right hand. These vivid pictures are not to be
taken literally, but powerfully plead for self-mastery. Bengel
says: _Non oculum, sed scandalizentem oculum_. It is not
mutilating of the body that Christ enjoins, but control of the
body against sin. The man who plays with fire will get burnt.
Modern surgery finely illustrates the teaching of Jesus. The
tonsils, the teeth, the appendix, to go no further, if left
diseased, will destroy the whole body. Cut them out in time and
the life will be saved. Vincent notes that "the words scandal and
slander are both derived from skandalon. And Wyc. renders, 'if
thy right eye _slander_ thee.'" Certainly slander is a scandal
and a stumbling-block, a trap, and a snare.