⭐WEB · Matthew 18:6
What does Matthew 18:6 mean?
"but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him that a huge millstone should be hung around his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depths of the sea."
— Matthew 18:6 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
and said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me,
but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him that a huge millstone should be hung around his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depths of the sea.
“Woe to the world because of occasions of stumbling! For it must be that the occasions come, but woe to that person through whom the occasion comes!
If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life maimed or crippled, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire.
If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the Gehenna of fire.
Explanation
Matthew 18:6 records a warning from Jesus about the seriousness of leading vulnerable believers into sin. In plain language, Jesus says that if someone causes a "little one" who trusts in him to fall into sin or lose their faith, that person would be better off drowned in the sea with a heavy millstone tied around their neck than to face the consequences of what they've done. It's a vivid, almost shocking image meant to convey the gravity of the offense—death by drowning would be preferable to what actually awaits such a person.
The context matters greatly here. This verse comes in the middle of a larger teaching in Matthew 18, where the disciples have just asked Jesus who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus responds by calling a child to stand among them, telling his disciples that unless they change and become like children, they won't enter the kingdom at all. He then speaks of receiving a child in his name as receiving him, before pivoting to this stern warning. The "little ones" Jesus refers to likely include both literal children and, more broadly, humble, vulnerable believers—those who are young in faith, spiritually immature, or lacking status and power. Matthew wrote his Gospel to a Jewish-Christian audience, presenting Jesus as the authoritative teacher and Messiah whose words carry weight for how the community of believers should treat one another.
Theologically, this verse reveals how highly God values those who are weak, dependent, or easily influenced. Jesus is not simply giving practical advice; he's revealing something about God's own heart. Causing a
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