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Matthew 18:5-7
New English Translation
Matthew 18:5-7
New English Translation
5 And whoever welcomes[a] a child like this in my name welcomes me.
6 “But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,[b] it would be better for him to have a huge millstone[c] hung around his neck and to be drowned in the open sea.[d] 7 Woe to the world because of stumbling blocks! It[e] is necessary that stumbling blocks come, but woe to the person through whom they come.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Matthew 18:5 tn This verb, δέχομαι (dechomai), is a term of hospitality (L&N 34.53).
- Matthew 18:6 tn The Greek term σκανδαλίζω (skandalizō), translated here “causes to sin” can also be translated “offends” or “causes to stumble.”
- Matthew 18:6 tn Grk “the millstone of a donkey.” This refers to a large flat stone turned by a donkey in the process of grinding grain (BDAG 661 s.v. μύλος 2; L&N 7.68-69). The same term is used in the parallel account in Mark 9:42.sn The punishment of drowning with a heavy weight attached is extremely gruesome and reflects Jesus’ views concerning those who cause others who believe in him to sin.
- Matthew 18:6 tn The term translated “open” here (πελάγει, pelagei) refers to the open sea as opposed to a stretch of water near a coastline (BDAG 794 s.v. πέλαγος). A similar English expression would be “the high seas.”
- Matthew 18:7 tn Grk “For it.” Here γάρ (gar) has not been translated.
Matthew 18:5-7
New International Version
Matthew 18:5-7
New International Version
5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.(A)
Causing to Stumble
6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.(B) 7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!(C)
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