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 drowned in the depths of the sea.
Parallel translations
- WEB but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him that a huge millstone should be hung around his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depths of the sea.
- KJV But 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.
- NKJV “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
- NASB but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depths of 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 have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.
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 Christ's little ones to stumble is so grave that drowning would be preferable. Jesus solemnly warns against leading the weak into sin.
Overview
'Little ones who believe' includes humble disciples as well as children. To make them stumble, by tempting them to sin or destroying their faith, invites severe judgment, pictured by the millstone and the sea. The stark warning shows how seriously God regards the spiritual welfare of his vulnerable people.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Mark 9:42But 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.
- Luke 17:1–2Jesus said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks will come, but woe to the one through whom they come!
- Matt 18:10See that you do not look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven.
- Matt 18:14In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
- 2 Th 1:6–9After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,
- Rom 15:1–3We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
- Ps 105:15“Do not touch My anointed ones! Do no harm to My prophets!”
- Rom 14:13–15Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.
- 1 Cor 8:9–13Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
- 1 Cor 10:32–33Do not become a stumbling block, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God—
- Zech 2:8For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “After His Glory has sent Me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye—
- Rom 14:21It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother to stumble.
- Zech 13:7Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the man who is My Companion, declares the LORD of Hosts. Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn My hand against the little ones.
- Acts 9:5“Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied.
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 18:6 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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