Luke 17:2
It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Jesus doesn't just say it's bad to lead others astray; he declares it's advantageous to face a violent, certain death if it prevents you from causing a "little one" to stumble. The phrase "it were better" carries the sense of a wise financial calculation, highlighting that eternal consequences far outweigh any temporary suffering.
Jesus is directly addressing his disciples, likely with some of these "little ones"—perhaps newer or more vulnerable believers—present. He's just spoken about forgiving others, and now he turns to the grave danger of causing these trusting followers to stumble in their faith, emphasizing the extreme consequences of such an action.
Jesus uses an unthinkable image to describe the consequence of leading someone astray. What makes this so serious?
Jesus doesn't mince words here. He says it's better to face a violent, public death – a millstone tied around your neck, hurled into the sea – than to cause one of these 'little ones' to stumble. This isn't just about a bad example; it's about corrupting someone's faith, especially those who are new or vulnerable in their walk with God. The sheer brutality of the imagery highlights the gravity of harming someone's spiritual life. It's an offense so profound that even the most horrific earthly punishment pales in comparison.
When Jesus speaks of 'little ones,' who is he referring to? It's not just who you might think.
The term 'little ones' in this context isn't limited to children. It primarily refers to believers who are new, immature, or vulnerable in their faith. Think of them as the 'babes' in Christ (1 Corinthians 3:1). They are easily influenced, their faith might be fragile, and they haven't yet developed the spiritual resilience to withstand significant temptation or false teaching. Jesus himself refers to his disciples as 'children' and even calls the apostles 'little ones.' The warning applies to anyone who, by their actions or words, could shake the faith of these precious souls.
Understand the original words
mylos onikos · Greek Noun phrase
A heavy, circular stone used for grinding grain. In a metaphorical sense, it represents a weight that ensures drowning, signifying a total and inescapable end.
mikros · Greek Adjective (used as noun)
Refers to those who are vulnerable, whether children in age or believers who are immature or lowly in status. Jesus uses this term to emphasize the spiritual danger of harming those whom God values and protects.
This passage uses the same vivid imagery of a millstone around the neck, emphasizing the severity of causing a believer to stumble.
Mark 9:42Here, the parallel passage adds that these 'little ones' are those who believe in Christ, highlighting that the offense is against Christ himself.
Psalm 119:165This Psalm speaks of great peace for those who love God's law and are not caused to stumble, reflecting the positive side of protecting believers from sin.
1 Corinthians 8:11This passage warns about the danger of stronger believers causing weaker ones to fall into sin through their actions, echoing the concern in Luke 17:2.
Romans 14:13Paul urges believers not to put obstacles in the way of others or cause them to stumble, directly addressing the responsibility to protect fellow believers.
vincentLuke 17:2: "It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones."
It were better (λυσιτελεῖ)Only here in New Testament. The verb means to pay what is due, and is equivalent to our phrase, it pays.MillstoneCompare Matthew 18:6. The correct reading here is λίθος μυλικός, a millstone; not a great millstone as MatthewThrown (ἔῤῥιπται)Hurled: with an underlying sense of violence, called out by so gre…
gillLuke 17:2: "It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones."
It were better for him that a millstone,.... See Gill on Matthew 18:6 and See Gill on Mark 9:42 .
Jesus doesn't just say it's bad to lead others astray; he declares it's advantageous to face a violent, certain death if it prevents you from causing a "little one" to stumble. The phrase "it were better" carries the sense of a wise financial calculation, highlighting that eternal consequences far outweigh any temporary suffering.
Jesus is directly addressing his disciples, likely with some of these "little ones"—perhaps newer or more vulnerable believers—present. He's just spoken about forgiving others, and now he turns to the grave danger of causing these trusting followers to stumble in their faith, emphasizing the extreme consequences of such an action.
Jesus is directly addressing his disciples, likely with some of these "little ones"—perhaps newer or more vulnerable believers—present. He's just spoken about forgiving others, and now he turns to the grave danger of causing these trusting followers to stumble in their faith, emphasizing the extreme consequences of such an action.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Luke 17:2 is available in the Sola app.
"It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin." — Jesus doesn't just say it's bad to lead others astray; he declares it's advantageous to face a violent, certain death if it prevents you from causing a "little one" to stumble. The phrase "it were…
