Devine Scripture

Matthew 18:6

What does Matthew 18:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 18:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 18:6 means

Jesus delivered a most severe warning against anyone who causes a believing 'little one' to fall into sin or lose faith. The imagery of a great millstone tied around the neck and being drowned in the sea illustrates the extreme gravity of such an offense, indicating that a literal, violent death would be preferable to the spiritual destruction one inflicts upon a vulnerable believer. This powerfully underscores God's intense care and protective love for His faithful, humble followers, especially those new in faith or overlooked by the world.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But whoever is a cause of trouble to one of these little ones who have faith in me, it would be better for him to have a great stone fixed to his neck, and to come to his end in the deep sea.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and whoever may cause to stumble one of those little ones who are believing in me, it is better for him that a weighty millstone may be hanged upon his neck, and he may be sunk in the depth of the sea.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But he that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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.

Context

This verse represents a sharp transition from the positive command to receive 'little ones' in verse 5 to a dire warning against harming them. It emphasizes the profound value God places on vulnerable believers and provides a serious deterrent against any action, teaching, or example that would lead them astray. This warning sets the stage for further discussion of stumbling blocks, both external and internal.

v.5And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me:

v.6This passage

v.7Woe unto the world because of occasions of stumbling! for it must needs be that the occasions come; but woe to that man through whom the occasion cometh!

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:32

    Give no occasion of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God:

  • Mark 9:42

    And whosoever shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it were better for him if a great millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

  • Zechariah 2:8

    For thus saith Jehovah of hosts: After glory hath he sent me unto the nations which plundered you; for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

  • Matthew 18:14

    Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

  • Romans 15:1

    Now we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

  • Romans 14:21

    It is good not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor to do anything whereby thy brother stumbleth.

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