The Nugget:
Luk 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. (KJV)
My Comment:
What Jesus teaches in this passage ought to capture our attention. Looking at the context and reading it in a modern English translation should help our focus and understanding:
Luk 17:1 Jesus told his disciples, “Situations that cause people to lose their faith are certain to arise. But how horrible it will be for the person who causes someone to lose his faith!
Luk 17:2 It would be best for that person to be thrown into the sea with a large stone hung around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to lose his faith.
Luk 17:3 So watch yourselves! “If a believer sins, correct him. If he changes the way he thinks and acts, forgive him.
Luk 17:4 Even if he wrongs you seven times in one day and comes back to you seven times and says that he is sorry, forgive him.” (God’s Word translation)
The Lavender’s New Testament has a note for the parallel passage in Matthew 18:6, “But whoever may cause one of these little ones believing in Me to sin,” which states “So to cause someone to sin even once, is so serious in the sight of God, that “…it is better for him that…he may be drowned…”