What Does Luke 17:2 Mean in the King James?
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.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The word translated “offend” carries the force of setting a trap that makes someone fall.
THE MEANING
This saying names a present danger: becoming the point at which one of the little ones is made to stumble. It calls a millstone-bound death in the sea preferable to causing that harm.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that causing a vulnerable person to stumble is a minor offense.
THE ROOT
σκανδαλίσῃ
skandalisē
GROWS FROM
σκάνδαλ-
skandal-
The Greek word family carries the sense of a trap or stumbling block, and of causing someone to stumble.
“Offend” can sound like causing displeasure, but this Greek verb names an action that brings another person down. Its related noun σκάνδαλον (skándalon) means a trap or stumbling block, so the image of harm is already carried inside the word.
ALSO GROWS
skándalon: Trap; stumbling block.
σκάνδαλον
It reveals the danger inside “offend”: a person can become the obstacle or trap that makes someone else fall.
skandalízomai: To stumble or be caused to stumble.
σκανδαλίζομαι
This related verb shows the other side of the same event: what one person sets in another’s path becomes that person’s fall.
THE PATTERN
The seriousness of an action is measured by whether it becomes a stumbling point for someone vulnerable.
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.Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.THE THREAD
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.Matthew uses the same Greek verb, σκανδαλίζω (skandalízō), and repeats the millstone image, bringing the trap-and-fall force of Luke’s “offend” into view. The verse names the harm with the same severity: causing one who is little to stumble is worse than the violent death described.
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