Christian Standard Bible
Matthew 18:6
6“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to fall away — it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea.
Matthew 18:6 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (NIV)“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
- English Standard Version (ESV)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.
- New King James Version (NKJV)“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Context of Matthew 18:6
4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child — this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5And whoever welcomes one child like this in my name welcomes me. “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to fall away — it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea. 7Woe to the world because of offenses. For offenses will inevitably come, but woe to that person by whom the offense comes. 8If your hand or your foot causes you to fall away, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire.
Read all of Matthew 18Matthew 18:6 word by word
ὃς δ᾽ ἂν σκανδαλίσῃ ἕνα τῶν μικρῶν τούτων τῶν πιστευόντων εἰς ἐμέ, συμφέρει αὐτῷ ἵνα κρεμασθῇ μύλος ὀνικὸς περὶ τὸν τράχηλον αὐτοῦ, καὶ καταποντισθῇ ἐν τῷ πελάγει τῆς θαλάσσης.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Butδέde · thenG1161
- whosoὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
- whosoἄνan · ifG302
- shall offendσκανδαλίζωskandalizō · to cause to stumbleG4624
- oneεἷςheis · oneG1520
- ofὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- ofμικρόςmikros mikroteros · smallG3398
- theseοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
- which believeπιστεύωpisteuō · to trust (in)G4100
- inεἰςeis · towardG1519
- meἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- it were betterσυμφέρωsumpherō · be profitableG4851
- for himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
- a millstoneμύλοςmulos · millstoneG3458
- a millstoneὀνικόςonikos · huge millstoneG3684
- were hangedκρεμάωkremannumi · to hangG2910
- aboutἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
- neckτράχηλοςtrachēlos · neckG5137
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- he were drownedκαταποντίζωkatapontizō · to sinkG2670
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- the depthπέλαγοςpelagos · seaG3989
- of the seaθάλασσαthalassa · seaG2281
Cross-references for Matthew 18:6
- Psalms 105:15“Do not touch my anointed ones, or harm my prophets.”
- Zechariah 2:8For the Lord of Armies says this: “In pursuit of his glory, he sent me against the nations plundering you, for whoever touches you touches the pupil of my eye.
- Mark 9:42“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to fall away — it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.
- Luke 17:1He said to his disciples, “Offenses will certainly come, but woe to the one through whom they come!
- Acts 9:5“Who are you, Lord?” Saul said. “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting,” he replied.
- Romans 14:13Therefore, let us no longer judge one another. Instead decide never to put a stumbling block or pitfall in the way of your brother or sister.
- Romans 15:1Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves.
- 1 Corinthians 8:9But be careful that this right of yours in no way becomes a stumbling block to the weak.
- 1 Corinthians 10:32Give no offense to Jews or Greeks or the church of God,
- 2 Thessalonians 1:6since it is just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you
- Matthew 18:10“See to it that you don’t despise one of these little ones, because I tell you that in heaven their angels continually view the face of my Father in heaven.
- Zechariah 13:7Sword, awake against my shepherd, against the man who is my associate — this is the declaration of the Lord of Armies. Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones.
- Luke 17:2It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to stumble.
Commentaries on Matthew 18:6
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 6But whoso shall offend one of these little ones - But, on the contrary, whosoever shall cause one of the least of those who believe in me to be stumbled - to go into the spirit of the world, or give way to sin - such a one shall meet with the most exemplary punishment. Let those who act the part of the devil, in tempting others to sin, hear this declaration of our Lord, and tremble. A millstone - , an ass's millstone, because in ancient times, before the…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-6Verses 1-6 See also Mark 9:33-41; Luke 9:46-50. Who is the greatest in the kingdom, of heaven? - By the kingdom of heaven they meant the kingdom which they supposed he was about to set up - his kingdom as the Messiah. They asked the question because they supposed, in accordance with the common expectation of the Jews, that he was about to set up a temporal kingdom of great splendor, and they wished to know who should have the principal offices, and posts…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 6Cause one … to stumble: This means to lead believers to turn away from Christ, whether children or adults who have become “like children” in faith (see Matthew 18:3). The title little ones emphasizes their humility (see 5:3–12; 18:4; 19:13–15). The thought of being drowned with a large millstone around the neck is terrifying. But Jesus warned that causing someone to lose faith will bring even greater suffering (18:7; 26:24; Revelation 18:21; Matthew…Read the comment
Topics related to Matthew 18:6
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Matthew 18
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Catena Aurea
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- John Lightfoot Commentary
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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