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

4Whoever then humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5And whoever welcomes a child like this in my name welcomes me. “But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a huge millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the open sea. 7Woe to the world because of stumbling blocks! It is necessary that stumbling blocks come, but woe to the person through whom they come. 8If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into 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

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 105:15saying,“Don’t touch my chosen ones! Don’t harm my prophets!”
• Zechariah 2:8For the Lord who rules over all says to me that for his own glory he has sent me to the nations that plundered you – for anyone who touches you touches the pupil of his eye.
• Mark 9:42“If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a huge millstone tied around his neck and to be thrown into the sea.
• Luke 17:1Jesus said to his disciples, “Stumbling blocks are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!
• Acts 9:5So he said, “Who are you, Lord?” He replied, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting!
• Romans 14:13Therefore we must not pass judgment on one another, but rather determine never to place an obstacle or a trap before a brother or sister.
• Romans 15:1But we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not just please ourselves.
• 1 Corinthians 8:9But be careful that this liberty of yours does not become a hindrance to the weak.
• 1 Corinthians 10:32Do not give offense to Jews or Greeks or to the church of God,
• 2 Thessalonians 1:6For it is right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,
• Matthew 18:10“See that you do not disdain one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
• Zechariah 13:7“Awake, sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is my associate,” says the Lord who rules over all. Strike the shepherd that the flock may be scattered; I will turn my hand against the insignificant ones.
• Luke 17:2It would be better for him to have a millstone tied around his neck and be thrown into the sea than for him to 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