Devine Scripture

Mark 9:42

What does Mark 9:42 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 9:42 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 9:42 means

Jesus issues a severe warning against causing any of His humble believers, whom He calls "little ones," to stumble spiritually or morally. He states it would be far better for such a person to have a large millstone tied around their neck and be drowned in the sea. This vivid and extreme imagery powerfully underscores the gravity of leading others into sin or away from faith, demonstrating God's intense displeasure with those who harm His vulnerable flock.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And whoever is a cause of trouble to one of these little ones who have faith in me, it would be better for him if a great stone was put round his neck and he was dropped into the sea.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and whoever may cause to stumble one of the little ones believing in me, better is it for him if a millstone is hanged about his neck, and he hath been cast into the sea.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And if thy hand scandalize thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life, maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into unquenchable fire:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And whosoever shall be a snare to one of the little ones who believe [in me], it were better for him if a millstone were hung about his neck, and he cast into the sea.

Context

This verse marks a sharp and dramatic shift in Jesus' teaching, moving from the positive rewards for supporting believers to the severe consequences for harming them. It immediately follows the promise of reward for giving a cup of water, creating a stark contrast that highlights the immense value Jesus places on His humble followers. This warning directly sets up the subsequent teachings on radical self-denial to avoid personal sin and causing others to stumble.

v.41For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink, because ye are Christ’s, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

v.42This passage

v.43And if thy hand cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed, rather than having thy two hands to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire.

Cross references

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

  • 2 Corinthians 6:3

    giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not blamed;

  • Matthew 18:6

    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.

  • Acts 9:4

    and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:6

    if so be that it is a righteous thing with God to recompense affliction to them that afflict you,

  • Romans 16:17

    Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them.

  • Romans 14:13

    Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge ye this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock in his brother’s way, or an occasion of falling.

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