Matthew 18:6
but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Understand the original words
mikros · Greek Adjective
A term referring to humble believers, especially children or those with a childlike faith in Christ; they are precious to God and must be protected.
skandalizō · Greek Verb
A major stumbling block or a cause of spiritual ruin that entices a person to abandon their faith or commit sin.
This passage echoes the same severe warning from Jesus about causing 'little ones' to sin, reinforcing the immense value God places on protecting the vulnerable in faith.
Matthew 5:29-30Jesus uses similar hyperbole, like cutting off a hand or plucking out an eye, to emphasize the extreme measures one should take to avoid causing sin, highlighting the severity of the consequence described in Matthew 18:6.
Ezekiel 18:4This Old Testament passage speaks about individual accountability for sin, which resonates with the personal responsibility Jesus emphasizes in Matthew 18:6 concerning the spiritual well-being of others.
1 Corinthians 8:11Paul warns about how a believer with weak conscience can be destroyed by the knowledge or actions of another, drawing a parallel to the 'little ones' being caused to sin and the severe repercussions for the offender.
Romans 14:13This passage calls believers not to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of another, directly correlating with Jesus' teaching in Matthew 18:6 about the grave danger of causing others to fall away.
vincentMatthew 18:6: "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."
A millstone (μύλος ὀνικός)Two kinds of millstones were in use; the one turned by hand, the other, and larger, by an ass (ὄνος). Here Jesus says an ass-millstone; or, as Rev., a great millstone; Wyc., millstone of asses.
calvinMatthew 18:6-10: "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."
- But whosoever shall offend one of those little ones who believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were sunk to the bottom of the sea. 7. Woe to the world on account of offenses! for offenses must come; but woe to the man by whom the offe…
Matthew 18:6 reads: "but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea." — see the full explanation above for context and original-language notes.
Read the full breakdown of Matthew 18:6 above, including historical context and cross-references.
"but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea." — see the full study above for original language, historical background, and cross-references.
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