Here Jesus plainly states that the unrighteous will be punished by being put into "hell," which He describes as a fire that will not be quenched (see also Jeremiah 17:27). In this scripture, the word "hell" is translated from the Greek Gehenna. This word means "Valley of Hinnom," a valley on the south side of Jerusalem where refuse was continually burned. Jesus used this area as a type of the place where the wicked will receive their final punishment.
Earl L. Henn
Basic Doctrines: The Fate of the Wicked
A Christian's potential is so fabulous that he must do whatever he can to ensure it. No matter how important they are to us, we must abandon any worldly attachments, friendships, and employments that will lead us into sin, or we will receive eternal judgment. Of course, Jesus' illustrations of cutting off a limb or plucking out an eye are not literal, but He wants us to understand the stakes. It is far better to attain to eternal life without enjoying the pleasures of sin than to enjoy them here in this life and be lost. Thus, Jesus emphasizes that we must remove temptation and avoid sin at all costs.
Martin G. Collins
Parables of the Millstone and the Lost Sheep
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A Christian's potential is so fabulous that any worldly attachments, friendships, and employments leading into sin must be abandoned, no matter how important, or eternal judgment will result. Jesus' illustrations of cutting off a limb or plucking out an eye are not literal, but convey the stakes: attaining eternal life without the pleasures of sin is far better than enjoying them in this life and being lost. Temptation must be removed and sin avoided at all costs. The unrighteous will be punished by being put into hell, a fire that will not be quenched. Here "hell" is translated from the Greek Gehenna, meaning Valley of Hinnom, a valley south of Jerusalem where refuse was continually burned—a type of the place where the wicked receive final punishment.