Revised Literal Translation
Matthew 18:6
6But 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.
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
4Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. 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. 7Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! 8Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting 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
- 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, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
- Zechariah 2:8For thus saith Yhwh of Armies; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.
- Mark 9:42And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
- Luke 17:1Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
- Acts 9:5And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
- Romans 14:13Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.
- Romans 15:1We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
- 1 Corinthians 8:9But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
- 1 Corinthians 10:32Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the Assembly of God:
- 2 Thessalonians 1:6Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
- Matthew 18:10Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
- Zechariah 13:7Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith Yhwh of Armies: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.
- Luke 17:2It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
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
Revised Literal Translation — © 2018 Michael W. Jones, Sr. — GPL
Commentaries