Bible Strands
Matthew 18:6
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 drowned in the depths of the sea.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses His disciples in the middle of a discourse on humility and spiritual danger, immediately following a teaching about welcoming a child and preceding a warning about causes of sin.
The words — The text uses σκανδαλίσῃ (skandalisē) to mean "cause to stumble" and μικρῶν (mikrōn) to mean "little ones." These terms literally describe the act of leading a believer into spiritual failure and the vulnerable individuals being protected.
The thread — The warning against causing believers to stumble appears in Mark 9:42, while Matthew 18:10 reinforces the divine oversight of these same individuals.
Why it lands — It demands that readers treat the corruption of another's faith as a grave offense, recognizing that the stated consequence applies to the perpetrator regardless of their status.
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
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.
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.
- Luke 17:1 Jesus said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks will come, but woe to the one through whom they come!
- 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.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:6 After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,
- Matthew 18:14 In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
- Romans 15:1 We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
- Psalms 105:15 “Do not touch My anointed ones! Do no harm to My prophets!”
- Romans 14:13 Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.
- 1 Corinthians 8:9 Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
- 1 Corinthians 10:32 Do not become a stumbling block, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God—