For everyoneThis phrase indicates universality, suggesting that the message applies to all people. In the context of
Mark 9, Jesus is addressing His disciples, but the principle extends beyond them. The idea of "everyone" can be connected to the broader biblical theme of God's dealings with humanity, as seen in passages like
Romans 3:23, which states that all have sinned. It emphasizes the inclusive nature of the gospel and the universal need for purification and transformation.
will be salted
Salt in biblical times was a valuable commodity, used for preservation and purification. InLeviticus 2:13, salt is required in grain offerings, symbolizing the covenant between God and His people. Here, "salted" suggests a process of purification or preservation. The metaphor of salt is also used by Jesus inMatthew 5:13, where believers are called the "salt of the earth," indicating their role in preserving and influencing the world. The use of salt in this context implies a refining process necessary for spiritual growth and maturity.
with fire
Fire is often associated with purification and judgment in the Bible. InMalachi 3:2-3, God is described as a refiner's fire, purifying the sons of Levi. Similarly,1 Peter 1:7 speaks of faith being tested by fire to prove its genuineness. The combination of salt and fire in this verse suggests a dual process of purification and testing. Fire can also symbolize the Holy Spirit, as seen inActs 2:3, where tongues of fire appear at Pentecost, indicating empowerment and cleansing. This phrase underscores the necessity of undergoing trials and purification to align with God's purposes.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus ChristThe speaker of this verse, providing a teaching moment to His disciples.
2.
DisciplesThe immediate audience of Jesus' teaching, representing all followers of Christ.
3.
SaltA metaphor used by Jesus, symbolizing purification, preservation, and covenant.
4.
FireAnother metaphor, often representing trials, purification, and divine judgment.
5.
The Kingdom of GodThe broader context of Jesus' teachings in this chapter, focusing on entering and living in God's kingdom.
Teaching Points
Purification through TrialsJust as salt purifies, trials and challenges refine our faith and character.
Preservation of FaithBelievers are called to preserve the truth of the Gospel in a world prone to moral decay.
Covenant RelationshipSalt symbolizes the enduring covenant between God and His people, reminding us of our commitment to Him.
Endurance in FaithFire represents the trials that test our faith, urging us to remain steadfast and faithful.
Living SacrificesOur lives should be offered to God, purified and dedicated to His service, much like the offerings in the Old Testament.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Mark 9:49?
2.How does Mark 9:49 relate to the concept of spiritual purification?
3.What does "everyone will be salted with fire" mean in a Christian life?
4.How can we apply the refining process described in Mark 9:49 today?
5.What Old Testament passages connect with the imagery of salt and fire here?
6.How does understanding Mark 9:49 influence our approach to trials and temptations?
7.What does "everyone will be salted with fire" mean in Mark 9:49?
8.How does Mark 9:49 relate to the concept of purification in Christianity?
9.Why is salt used as a metaphor in Mark 9:49?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Mark 9?
11.Mark 9:49–50 – What historical or cultural evidence supports the puzzling concept of everyone being “salted with fire”?
12.What does 'seasoned with salt' mean?
13.What is the Bible's perspective on Halloween?
14.Leviticus 2:12–13: How consistent is the requirement to add salt with other scriptural instances that list different mandatory ingredients?What Does Mark 9:49 Mean
Context of the saying•Mark 9:42-48 frames the warning: brutal self-discipline is better than eternal fire. Immediately after speaking of hell, Jesus adds, “For everyone will be salted with fire” (Mark 9:49).
• The next sentence, “Salt is good…” (Mark 9:50), links fire and salt, echoingLeviticus 2:13: “And you shall season all your grain offerings with salt”. Every sacrifice under the old covenant was touched by salt; Jesus now ties that picture to fire and to every person.
What “everyone” covers• The scope is universal—no one escapes divine fire.
– For unbelievers it means judgment (Hebrews 10:27;Revelation 20:15).
– For followers of Christ it means purification (1 Peter 1:6-7;Malachi 3:2-3).
Salt and fire: two images, one purpose• Salt preserves, purifies, and flavors (Matthew 5:13).
• Fire tests, refines, and consumes (1 Corinthians 3:13-15;Hebrews 12:29).
• When Jesus merges them, He is saying that every life will encounter God’s searching, preserving work—either as refining grace or consuming judgment.
The purifying fire for believers• Trials “prove the genuineness” of faith, “more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire” (1 Peter 1:7).
• Daily obedience, repentance, and suffering are the Spirit’s way of salting us so our witness stays fresh (James 1:2-4;Romans 5:3-5).
• The perpetual presence of salt in Old Testament offerings points ahead to continual consecration in Christ (Romans 12:1).
The consuming fire for the lost• Jesus had just spoken of “the unquenchable fire” (Mark 9:43). For those who reject Him, the same holiness that refines His people becomes eternal punishment (Hebrews 10:27).
• The universality of “everyone” underlines personal responsibility; no one can plead exemption (Acts 17:30-31).
Living salted lives today• Keep short accounts with sin. Like salt halting decay, confession and repentance keep the heart tender (1 John 1:9).
• Embrace trials as God’s refining fire rather than curse them (Romans 8:28;2 Corinthians 4:17).
• Let your speech be “seasoned with salt” (Colossians 4:6) so others taste grace, not bitterness.
• Maintain peace in the body: “Have salt among yourselves and be at peace with one another” (Mark 9:50). Purity and harmony belong together.
summaryMark 9:49 teaches that God’s fiery, purifying presence touches every person. For the believer, it refines character and preserves witness, like salt on a sacrifice. For the unbeliever, it signals certain judgment. Recognizing this dual reality urges us to welcome God’s cleansing work now, live distinctly salty lives, and point others to the only One who saves from the fire—Jesus Christ.
(49)
Every one shall be salted with fire.--The verse presents considerable difficulties, both as regards the reading and the interpretation. Many of the best MSS. omit the latter clause; one of the best omits the first. It is as if transcribers felt that either clause was more intelligible by itself than the two taken together. Accepting both clauses as, on the whole, sufficiently authenticated, we have to deal with their meaning. (1) The most generally received interpretation of the first clause is that which eliminates from the process of salting the idea of purifying, or preserving from corruption, and sees in it only the symbol of perpetuation. So taken, the words become an emphatic assertion of the endlessness of future punishment--as in Keble's lines:
"Salted with fire, they seem to show
How spirits lost in endless woe
May undecaying live."
Against this, however, it may be urged (a) that it arbitrarily limits the "every one" of the sentence to those who are finally condemned and are cast into Gehenna; (b) that it is scarcely conceivable that the same word, "salted," should be used in such contrasted senses in the same verse; (c) that the uniform symbolism of "salt," as representing the spiritual element that purifies and preserves from taint (seeMatthew 5:13;Luke 14:34;Colossians 4:6;Leviticus 2:13), is against this application of it. We have to ask whether "fire" appears with a like symbolism and with an application as universal as that of this verse. And the answer is found partly in "the baptism with the Holy Ghost and with fire," of which the Baptist spoke (Matthew 3:11); the "fire already kindled" of our Lord's teaching (Luke 12:49); the "fire" which "shall try every man's work of what sort it is" of1Corinthians 3:13; the "fire that tries men's faith" of1Peter 1:7. In these passages there can be no shadow of doubt that "fire" represents the righteousness of God manifested as punishing and chastising--the discipline, in other words, of suffering. Of that discipline, our Lord says "every one" shall be a partaker. He shall thus be "salted with fire," for the tendency of that fire, the aim of the sufferings which it represents, is to purify and cleanse. Even when manifested in its most awful forms, it is still true that they who "walk righteously and speak uprightly" may dwell with "everlasting burnings"--i.e., with the perfect and consuming holiness of God (Isaiah 33:14). (2) The second clause is obviously far simpler. The "sacrifice" throws us back upon the ritual ofLeviticus 2:13, which prescribed that salt should be added, as the natural symbol of incorruption, to every sacrifice. Here our Lord speaks of the spiritual sacrifice which each man offers of his body, soul, and spirit (Romans 12:1), and declares that "salt," the purifying grace of the Eternal Spirit, is needed that it may be acceptable. Punishment, the pain which we feel when brought into contact with the infinite Righteousness represented by fire, may do its work in part; but it requires something more for completeness. The sacrifice must be "salted with salt," as well as with "fire." To use another figure, there must be the baptism of the Holy Ghost, as well as that of fire (Matthew 3:11). . . .
Verse 49. -
For every one shall be salted with fire; and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. According to the most approved authorities, the second clause of this verse should be omitted, although it is evident that our Lord had in his mind the words in Leviticus it. 13, "Every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt."
Every one shall be salted with fire. "Every one." The statement is general in its application. There is no limitation. The good and the evil alike shall be "salted with fire." There is an apparent incongruity here. But it must be remembered that both the salt and the fire are here used in a metaphorical sense; and there is a fire which is penal, and there is a fire which purifies. In the case of the wicked the fire is penal; and the salting with fire in their case can only mean the anguish of a tormented conscience, which must be commensurate with its existence in the same moral condition. But there is a fire which purifies. St. Peter, addressing the Christians of the Dispersion (
1 Peter 4:12), bids them not to think it strange concerning the "fiery trial" which was among them. This was their "salting with fire." Those persecutions which they suffered were their discipline of affliction, through which God was purifying and preserving them. This discipline is necessary for all Christians. They must arm themselves with the same mind, even though they may not live in a time of outward persecution. He who parts with the hand, or the foot, or the eye; that is, he who surrenders what is dear to him - he who parts with what, if he was only to confer with flesh and blood, he would rather keep, for the sake of Christ, is going through the discipline of self-sacrifice, which is often painful and severe, but nevertheless purifying. He is salted with fire; but he is pro-served by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Forγὰρ(gar)Conjunction
Strong's 1063:For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.everyoneΠᾶς(Pas)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.will be saltedἁλισθήσεται(halisthēsetai)Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 233:From hals; to salt.with fire.πυρὶ(pyri)Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4442:Fire; the heat of the sun, lightning; fig: strife, trials; the eternal fire. A primary word; 'fire'.
Links
Mark 9:49 NIVMark 9:49 NLTMark 9:49 ESVMark 9:49 NASBMark 9:49 KJV
Mark 9:49 BibleApps.comMark 9:49 Biblia ParalelaMark 9:49 Chinese BibleMark 9:49 French BibleMark 9:49 Catholic Bible
NT Gospels: Mark 9:49 For everyone will be salted with fire (Mar Mk Mr) 
