Throughout the Gospels, Jesus often engages in a verbal technique called hyperbole, the use of deliberate exaggeration to make a point. In contemporary American culture, hyperbole tends to be used by teens and young adults, but not so much by older generations. But in some other cultures, hyperbole is very much a part of daily interaction.
Such was the case in the culture of Jesus, and we must account for his use of hyperbole when we seek to interpret his words. When Jesus tells us to cut off our foot or hand or pluck out our eye if each leads us to sin, he is clearly making use of hyperbole. However, we should not take his words lightly because he is exaggerating. Jesus is highlighting a central aspect of our faith, that God must be central in our lives.
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