Bible Strands
Luke 17:2
It would be better for him to have a millstone hung around his neck and to be thrown into the sea than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to His disciples immediately after stating that stumbling blocks will inevitably come. He delivers this warning during a teaching moment focused on spiritual responsibility and mutual accountability.
The words — The Greek λυσιτελεῖ (lusitelei) literally means "it is better," establishing a direct comparison. The phrase λίθος μυλικὸς (lithos mulikos) translates to "millstone," specifying the heavy weight used to illustrate the severity of the warning.
The thread — This warning echoes in Mark 9:42, which pairs the millstone imagery with the specific group of "little ones who believe in Me." Matthew 18:14 further reinforces the theme by noting God's unwillingness for any of these little ones to perish.
Why it lands — The text demands that readers recognize the extreme gravity of leading vulnerable believers into sin. It requires a practical vigilance against personal actions that would cause spiritual harm to others.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Mark 9:42 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 thrown into the sea.
- Matthew 18:14 In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
- Matthew 18:3 “Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
- Matthew 18:10 See 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.
- 1 Corinthians 8:11 So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge.
- Matthew 26:24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed. It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
- 1 Corinthians 9:22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.
- 2 Peter 2:1 Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
- Isaiah 40:11 He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.
- Zechariah 13:7 Awake, 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.