Luke 17:2

It 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.

It were better {G3081} for him {G846} that {G1487} a millstone {G3458}{G3684} were hanged {G4029} about {G4012} his {G846} neck {G5137}, and {G2532} he cast {G4496} into {G1519} the sea {G2281}, than {G2228} that {G2443} he should offend {G4624} one {G1520} of these {G5130} little ones {G3398}.

It would be to his advantage that he have a millstone hung around his neck and he be thrown into the sea, rather than that he ensnare one of these little ones.

It would be better for him to have a millstone hung around his neck and to be thrown into the sea than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.

It were well for him if a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, rather than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble.

Commentary

Context

Luke 17:2 is part of a significant discourse by Jesus to His disciples concerning the inevitability of offenses and the severe consequences for those who cause them. The preceding verse, Luke 17:1, states that "it is impossible but that offences will come." Following this, Jesus immediately issues a stark warning about the responsibility of individuals not to be the source of such spiritual harm, particularly to those who are vulnerable in their faith.

Key Themes

  • The Gravity of Spiritual Harm: The verse employs vivid and terrifying imagery to underscore how seriously God views the act of leading others astray from faith or causing them to stumble into sin. The suggested punishment (drowning with a millstone) highlights the extreme nature of this offense in God's eyes.
  • Protection of the Vulnerable: Jesus demonstrates a profound concern for "these little ones," emphasizing the divine protection afforded to humble believers, new disciples, or those who are weak in faith. This highlights the Church's responsibility to nurture and protect its most vulnerable members.
  • Accountability for Influence: The passage serves as a potent reminder that all believers, especially those in positions of leadership or influence, are accountable for the impact of their actions, words, and examples on others' spiritual journeys. Our conduct can either build up or tear down.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Offend" (Greek: skandalizล): This word does not merely mean to irritate or displease someone. In a biblical context, it signifies causing someone to stumble, to fall into sin, to lose faith, or to be led astray morally or spiritually. It refers to placing a "stumbling block" or "snare" in someone's path.
  • "Little ones" (Greek: mikroi): While this term can refer to actual children, in this context, it broadly encompasses humble believers, new converts, or those who are spiritually immature or vulnerable. It underscores their preciousness in God's sight.
  • "Millstone" (Greek: mylos onikos): This specifically refers to a large millstone, one typically turned by a donkey (an "ass-driven millstone"), as opposed to a smaller hand-mill. This detail emphasizes the immense weight and the certainty of death by drowning, illustrating the severity of the judgment for causing a "little one" to stumble.

Cross-References & Internal Links

This severe warning is also found in the parallel accounts in Matthew 18:6 and Mark 9:42, indicating its crucial importance in Jesus' teaching. The Apostle Paul later echoes this principle in his letters, warning against causing a brother to stumble or putting a stumbling block in their path through the exercise of one's liberty.

Practical Application

Luke 17:2 serves as a timeless warning for all believers. It challenges us to:

  • Examine Our Influence: Be acutely aware of how our actions, words, and attitudes might impact those around us, especially new or struggling believers. Our lives should be a source of encouragement and spiritual growth, not a cause for doubt or sin.
  • Prioritize Others' Spiritual Well-being: Cultivate a selfless approach to faith, where the spiritual health and growth of others, particularly the vulnerable, are held in high regard.
  • Live with Integrity: Strive for a consistent walk with God, understanding that hypocrisy or careless behavior can be a profound stumbling block for those observing our lives.

The verse reminds us that the cost of leading someone away from Christ or into sin is immeasurable, and our accountability before God for such an act is severe.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

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.

  • Matthew 18:14

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

  • Matthew 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.

  • Matthew 18:3

    And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

  • Matthew 18:6

    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.

  • 1 Corinthians 8:11

    And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

  • 1 Corinthians 8:12

    But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
โ† Back