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)
The sheer size of the millstone Jesus mentions—one turned by an animal, not just by hand—underscores the immense gravity of causing someone, especially a vulnerable believer, to stray from faith. This isn't a minor inconvenience; it's a catastrophic act, a profound betrayal that would be better punished by utter destruction than by causing spiritual ruin.
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)
Just before this, the disciples were arguing about who was the greatest in God's kingdom, prompting Jesus to use a child as an example of true humility. This verse is a stark warning against harming or leading astray those who are humble believers, comparing such an act to a death so severe it's better than the punishment described in the following verses.
Jesus uses a shocking image to describe the seriousness of causing someone to stumble. It's a picture of utter destruction and irreversible loss.
When Jesus says 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,' He's not just talking about physical death. This imagery, understood by His listeners, represented the most severe and shameful form of capital punishment, one that ensured complete obliteration and denied any possibility of burial or remembrance.
Jesus calls them 'little ones who believe in me.' But does that only mean children, or is there more to it?
The term 'little ones' here isn't limited to actual children, though they are certainly included. It refers more broadly to those who are spiritually immature, humble, and especially vulnerable in their faith.
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Causing such individuals to sin isn't just a minor offense; it's attacking someone God cherishes and has placed under His special watch.
What does it actually mean to 'cause one of these little ones to sin'? It's more than just overt temptation.
To 'offend' (or 'cause to stumble,' as the Greek suggests) someone means to place a stumbling block in their path, hindering their faith, morals, or spiritual progress. This can happen in many ways:
Essentially, any action or word that leads a believer, especially a vulnerable one, away from Christ, into sin, or into doubt, carries the severe weight Jesus describes.
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 Jesus' strong warning about causing believers to stumble, using a similar vivid image of a millstone around the neck, emphasizing the severe consequences of leading others astray.
1 Corinthians 8:12Paul addresses the issue of 'sinning against your brothers' by weakening their conscience, showing how actions that might seem minor can deeply harm fellow believers, aligning with Jesus' concern for the 'little ones'.
Romans 14:13This passage calls believers to stop passing judgment on one another and instead resolve to put no obstacle or stumbling block in the way of a brother, directly connecting to the idea of 'offending' those who believe.
Ezekiel 13:18The prophet Ezekiel condemns those who make pillows for all arms and hunt souls by sewing wristbands for every size of person, showing a prophetic parallel to leaders who ensnare or harm God's people for personal gain or by leading them into sin.
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…
The sheer size of the millstone Jesus mentions—one turned by an animal, not just by hand—underscores the immense gravity of causing someone, especially a vulnerable believer, to stray from faith. This isn't a minor inconvenience; it's a catastrophic act, a profound betrayal that would be better punished by utter destruction than by causing spiritual ruin.
Just before this, the disciples were arguing about who was the greatest in God's kingdom, prompting Jesus to use a child as an example of true humility. This verse is a stark warning against harming or leading astray those who are humble believers, comparing such an act to a death so severe it's better than the punishment described in the following verses.
Just before this, the disciples were arguing about who was the greatest in God's kingdom, prompting Jesus to use a child as an example of true humility. This verse is a stark warning against harming or leading astray those who are humble believers, comparing such an act to a death so severe it's better than the punishment described in the following verses.
"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." — The sheer size of the millstone Jesus mentions—one turned by an animal, not just by hand—underscores the immense gravity of causing someone, especially a vulnerable believer, to stray from faith. Thi…
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Last reviewed October 2026