And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
Parallel translations
- WEB Whoever will cause one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if he were thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around his neck.
- BSB But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be thrown into the sea.
- NKJV “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.
- NASB “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it is better for him if a heavy millstone is hung around his neck and he is thrown into the sea.
- NLT “But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Causing one of these little believers to stumble invites terrible judgment. The spiritual welfare of the weak in faith is something God takes with utmost seriousness.
Overview
"These little ones" extends beyond children to humble believers. The vivid image of a millstone and drowning underscores how gravely God regards harm to the faith of the vulnerable. The warning calls disciples to protect rather than wound the weak, reflecting the Shepherd's own tender care for his flock.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 18
- Matt 18:6But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
- Luke 17:1–2Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
- Matt 18:10Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
- 2 Th 1:6–9Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
- Matt 25:45–46Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
- Rom 14:13Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.
- Acts 26:11–14And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
- 2 Cor 6:3Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
- Rom 16:17Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
- Rom 15:21But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.
- 1 Cor 8:10–13For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
- Acts 9:4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
- 2 Pet 2:2And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
- Rev 16:6–7For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.
- Phil 1:10That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
- 1 Cor 10:32–33Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
- Rev 6:9–10And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
- 1 Tim 5:14I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
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Christ at the center
Mark drives urgently to the cross, showing Jesus the Son of God as the suffering Servant who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
How Mark 9:42 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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