Matthew 18:6

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

4So whoever will humble himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5And whoever receives one such child in My name, receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7“Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to the person through whom the stumbling block comes! 8“And if your hand or your foot is causing you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you; it is better for you to enter life maimed or without a foot, than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire.

Matthew 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

• whoeverὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• whoeverἄνan · ifG302
• causesσκανδαλίζωskandalizō · to cause to stumbleG4624
• oneεἷςheis · oneG1520
• of theseοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• littleμικρόςmikros mikroteros · smallG3398
• who believeπιστεύωpisteuō · to trust (in)G4100
• heavyὀνικόςonikos · huge millstoneG3684
• millstoneμύλοςmulos · millstoneG3458
• be hungκρεμάωkremannumi · to hangG2910
• aroundπερίperi · aboutG4012
• his neckτράχηλοςtrachēlos · neckG5137
• and that he be drownedκαταποντίζωkatapontizō · to sinkG2670
• in the depthsπέλαγοςpelagos · seaG3989
• of the seaθάλασσαthalassa · seaG2281

Cross-references for Matthew 18:6

• Psalms 105:15“Do not touch My anointed ones, And do not harm My prophets.”
• Zechariah 2:8For the Lord of armies says this: “After glory He has sent me against the nations that plunder you, for the one who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.
• Mark 9:42“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it is better for him if a heavy millstone is hung around his neck and he is thrown into the sea.
• Luke 17:1Now He said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to one through whom they come!
• Acts 9:5And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,
• Romans 14:13Therefore let’s not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this: not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s or sister’s way.
• Romans 15:1Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not just please ourselves.
• 1 Corinthians 8:9But take care that this freedom of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.
• 1 Corinthians 10:32Do not offend Jews or Greeks, or the church of God;
• 2 Thessalonians 1:6For after all it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,
• Matthew 18:10“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones; for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.
• Zechariah 13:7“Awake, sword, against My Shepherd, And against the Man, My Associate,” Declares the Lord of armies. “Strike the Shepherd and the sheep will be scattered; And I will turn My hand against the little ones.
• Luke 17:2It is better for him if a millstone is hung around his neck and he is thrown into the sea, than that he may cause one of these little ones to sin.

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

• Babes
• Children
• Jesus, the Christ
• Millstone
• Minister, Christian
• Temptation

In the dictionaries

• the sea, the Great Sea, the western sea
• Drown
• Gain
• Owe
• Patience
• Baptism (lutheran Doctrine)
• Baptismal Regeneration
• Jesus Christ
• Matthew, the Gospel of
• Meals, Meal-Time

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