Matthew 18:7
“Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While Jesus says temptations must come, the crucial, non-obvious point is that the sheer inevitability of sin in the world doesn't excuse the individual who causes it. The heavier "woe" falls not on the world enduring temptation, but on the one actively creating stumbling blocks for others.
Jesus is responding to his disciples' argument about who is greatest in the kingdom, a dispute that reveals pride and a potential for looking down on others. He uses the image of a child to teach humility and the importance of not causing believers, especially those who are new or vulnerable, to stumble in their faith. This verse highlights the inevitable presence of sin and temptation in the world while strongly condemning those who are the source of such stumbling blocks.
Jesus says temptations are a sure thing. But why? And what does that mean for us?
Jesus declares, "it must needs be that temptations come." This isn't a suggestion, but a reality check. Think of it like a rainy season – you can't stop the rain from falling, but you can prepare for it. The world, with its fallen nature and the active influence of evil, is a breeding ground for things that can lead us astray. This necessity doesn't come from God causing sin, but from His allowing circumstances, our own weaknesses, and the devil's schemes to exist. It's a sobering truth that shows us how vulnerable we are and why we constantly need God's strength.
Jesus issues a stark warning: 'woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!' What makes this so serious?
While Jesus acknowledges that temptations will come, He draws a sharp line between the occurrence of temptation and being the agent of it. The first 'woe' is for the world, lamenting the pervasive presence of sin and its damaging effects. But the second 'woe' is a powerful denunciation, a grave warning directed at the individual who actively causes another person to sin. This isn't just about a minor stumble; it's about leading someone away from God, potentially damaging their faith and their eternal destiny. The commentators emphasize how serious this is – comparable to the most horrific punishments imaginable. Our free will means we are responsible for our actions, and intentionally or carelessly causing others to sin carries immense spiritual weight.
Understand the original words
ouai · Greek Interjection
A declaration of extreme distress, sorrow, or impending judgment; it denotes a state of profound wretchedness or divine condemnation.
skandalon · Greek Noun
Occasions, traps, or stumbling blocks that allure people into sin and away from God.
This passage from Luke mirrors Matthew 18:7 directly, emphasizing the inevitability of temptations but the severe judgment for those who cause them, highlighting the consistent teaching of Jesus on this weighty matter.
1 Corinthians 8:9Paul echoes Jesus' concern by warning believers not to let their freedom become a stumbling block for those with weaker consciences, underscoring the personal responsibility we have for how our actions affect others.
Romans 14:13This verse 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, reinforcing the deep care required in our interactions to avoid causing spiritual harm.
1 Peter 2:8Peter describes some people as stumbling over the word, which is exactly what Jesus warns against when he speaks of 'offenses,' showing how the spiritual danger of stumbling blocks is a recurring theme in the New Testament.
barnesMatthew 18:7: "Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!"
Woe unto the world because of offences - That is, offences will be the cause of woe or of suffering. Offences, here, mean things that will produce sin: that will cause us to sin, or temptations to induce others to sin. See the notes at Matthew 5:29 . It must needs be ... - That is, such is the depravity of man that there will be always some who are att…
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…
While Jesus says temptations must come, the crucial, non-obvious point is that the sheer inevitability of sin in the world doesn't excuse the individual who causes it. The heavier "woe" falls not on the world enduring temptation, but on the one actively creating stumbling blocks for others.
Jesus is responding to his disciples' argument about who is greatest in the kingdom, a dispute that reveals pride and a potential for looking down on others. He uses the image of a child to teach humility and the importance of not causing believers, especially those who are new or vulnerable, to stumble in their faith. This verse highlights the inevitable presence of sin and temptation in the world while strongly condemning those who are the source of such stumbling blocks.
Jesus is responding to his disciples' argument about who is greatest in the kingdom, a dispute that reveals pride and a potential for looking down on others. He uses the image of a child to teach humility and the importance of not causing believers, especially those who are new or vulnerable, to stumble in their faith. This verse highlights the inevitable presence of sin and temptation in the world while strongly condemning those who are the source of such stumbling blocks.
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"“Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!" — While Jesus says temptations must come, the crucial, non-obvious point is that the sheer inevitability of sin in the world doesn't excuse the individual who causes it. The heavier "woe" falls not…
