Matthew 18:6
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 And 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.
7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
8 Wherefore 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.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
- 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.
- WEB
- but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if a huge millstone were hung around his neck and that he were sunk in the depths of the sea.
- ASV
- But whoso shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it is profitable for him that a great millstone should be hanged about his neck, and [that] he should be sunk in the depth of the sea.
- DARBY
- But whosoever shall offend one of these little ones who believe in me, it were profitable for him that a great millstone had been hanged upon his neck and he be sunk in the depths of the sea.
- BLB
- And whoever might cause to stumble one of these little ones believing in Me, it is better for him that a heavy millstone should be hung around his neck and he should be sunk in the depth of the sea.
- ÅB
- Men den som forfører en av disse små som tror på meg, for ham ville det være bedre å få en kvernstein hengt om halsen og bli senket i havets dyp.
- OTB
- Men hvis noen får en av disse små som tror på meg til å falle, ville det vært bedre for dem å få en tung kvernstein hengt om halsen og bli druknet i havets dyp.
- B1930
- men den som forfører en av disse små som tror på mig, for ham var det bedre at det var hengt en kvernsten om hans hals og han var nedsenket i havets dyp.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Mark 9:42
And 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.
Read in contextLuke 17:1–2
Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
Read in contextMatthew 18:10
Take 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.
Read in context2 Thessalonians 1:6–9
Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
Read in contextMatthew 18:14
Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
Read in contextRomans 15:1–3
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Read in contextPsalms 105:15
Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
Read in context1 Corinthians 8:9–13
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
Read in context