New International Version
Matthew 18:6
6“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.
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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.
Context of Matthew 18:6
4Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. “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. 7Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! 8If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into 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; do my prophets no harm.”
- Zechariah 2:8For this is what the Lord Almighty says: “After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye—
- Mark 9:42“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.
- Luke 17:1Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come.
- Acts 9:5“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.
- Romans 14:13Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.
- Romans 15:1We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
- 1 Corinthians 8:9Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
- 1 Corinthians 10:32Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—
- 2 Thessalonians 1:6God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you
- Matthew 18:10“See that you do not despise 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 close to me!” declares the Lord Almighty. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones.
- Luke 17:2It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than 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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