Devine Scripture

Matthew 18:7

What does Matthew 18:7 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 18:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 18:7 means

Jesus acknowledged that stumbling blocks and temptations are an unavoidable reality in a fallen world; they 'must needs come.' This isn't an endorsement of sin but a recognition of humanity's sinful nature and the active presence of evil. However, He pronounced a grave 'woe' on the individual who becomes the instrument through which such an offense or temptation arises. This contrasts the inevitability of sin's presence with the personal responsibility and severe judgment awaiting those who actively facilitate or cause others to fall.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Woe 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!

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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!

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Woe 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!

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

A curse is on the earth because of trouble! for it is necessary for trouble to come; but unhappy is that man through whom the trouble comes.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`Woe to the world from the stumbling-blocks! for there is a necessity for the stumbling-blocks to come, but woe to that man through whom the stumbling-block doth come!

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Woe to the world because of scandals. For it must needs be that scandals come: but nevertheless woe to that man by whom the scandal cometh.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Woe to the world because of offences! For it must needs be that offences come; yet woe to that man by whom the offence comes!

Context

This verse elaborates on the warning against causing others to stumble from verse 6. It places the specific offense within the broader context of a fallen world where temptations are inevitable. While recognizing this reality, Jesus immediately focuses on the moral culpability of the individual who *causes* the stumbling. This leads directly into the radical commands in verses 8 and 9 to eliminate personal sources of temptation.

v.6but 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.

v.7This passage

v.8And if thy hand or thy foot causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed or halt, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire.

Cross references

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

  • Jude 1:11

    Woe unto them! for they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in the gainsaying of Korah.

  • Revelation 2:20

    But I have this against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess; and she teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.

  • 1 Timothy 5:14

    I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for reviling:

  • Titus 2:5

    to be sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed:

  • 1 Corinthians 11:19

    For there must be also factions among you, that they that are approved may be made manifest among you.

  • Acts 1:16

    Brethren, it was needful that the scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spake before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to them that took Jesus.

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