Matthew 18:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Thus they suffered a human passion, which the Evangelist denotes by saying, At the same time come the disciples to Jesus, saying, Who, we pray thee, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Ashamed to shew the feeling which was working within, they do not say openly, Why have you honoured Peter above us? but they ask in general, Who is the greatest? When in the transfiguration they saw three distinguished, namely, Peter, James, and John, they had no such feeling, but now that one is singled out for especial honour, then they are grieved. But do you remember, first, that it was nothing in this world that they sought; and, secondly, that they afterwards laid aside this feeling? Even their failings are above us, whose enquiry is not, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? but, Who is greatest in the kingdom of the world?

He then expresses it conversely: “whosoever shall cause to stumble,” meaning to lead astray, “one of these little ones,” referring to those who approach with humility, even if they are esteemed, “it would be better for him if a millstone were tied around his neck.” This clearly signifies a severe consequence, aimed at illustrating that immense suffering awaits those who lead the humble in Christ into temptation. It is essential to recognize that if someone leads astray a truly humble person, that is, someone vulnerable, and fails to support them in every way, they will face repercussions, for it is not as challenging to mislead the weak as it is to sway an adult.

Otherwise; Whoso offendeth one of these little ones, that is so humble as He would have his disciples to be, by not obeying, or by opposing, (as the Apostle says of Alexander,) it were better for him, that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and he be drowned in the depths of the sea, (2 Tim. 4:15.) that is, it were better for him that desire of the things of the world, to which the blind and foolish are tied down, should sink him by its load to destruction.

Our Lord Jesus Christ warns, “But whosoever shall seduce one of these little ones that believe in me, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung about his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matt. 18:6, Luke 17:2). This raises the question: what does it mean to seduce? Moreover, how can we guard against falling into such grave condemnation? The answer lies in recognizing that anyone who violates God's commandments through word or action, leading others into sin—much like the serpent leading Eve to Adam—or who obstructs the will of God, as Peter advised the Lord, saying: “be merciful to Thyself, O Lord, let it not be so with Thee!"—is subject to such condemnation. The Lord's response was: “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a temptation to Me!

One whose tender age should express to them the innocence which they should have. But truly He set Himself in the midst of them, a little one who had come not to be ministered unto, but to minister; (Mat. 20:28.) that He might be a pattern of holiness. Others interpret the little one of the Holy Spirit, whom He set in the hearts of His disciples, to change their pride into humility. (Vid. Origen. in loc.) And he said. Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. He does not enjoin on the Apostles the age, but the innocence of infants, which they have by virtue of their years, but to which these might attain by striving; that they should be children in malice, not in understanding.

What do the words mean, "It would have been better for him had a millstone been tied around his neck and he been thrown into the sea than that he should lead astray one of these little ones"? The "little ones" likely refer to those who are simple of heart, unable to grasp the divine judgments due to their limited understanding. One who leads such individuals astray would find himself better suited to the fate of the Gentiles, who, like a donkey tethered to a mill, are occupied solely with the affairs of this world, rather than facing the dire consequences of leading them into error, symbolized by being cast into the depths of the sea, representing the chaos of existence. This notion is affirmed by the Apostle Peter, who stated, "It is better that they should not know the way of righteousness than that, having known it, they should turn back" (2 Pet. 2:21).

In this context, he refers to dishonor as a trial. He states that those who honor the humble for His sake will receive immense joy, while those who regard them with contempt will face severe consequences. The term "little ones" refers to those who may seem insignificant or simple, representing those who embrace childlike humility. By indicating that it would be better for such a person to endure a severe penalty in this life, he emphasizes that they will face an even greater punishment in the life to come.

Herein we ought to be imitators of the disciples, that when any question of doubt arises among us, and we find not how to settle it, We should with one consent go to Jesus, Who is able to enlighten the hearts of men to the explication of every perplexity. We shall also consult some of the doctors, who are thought most eminent in the Churches. But in that they asked this question, the disciples knew that there was not an equality among the saints in the kingdom of heaven; what they yet sought to learn was, how they were so, and lived as greater and less. Or, from what the Lord had said above, they knew Who was the best and who was great; but out of many great, who was the greatest, this Was not clear to them.

Mystically; The work of the mill is a toil of blindness, for the beasts having their eyes closed are driven round in a circle, and under the type of an ass we often find the Gentiles figured, who are held in the ignorance of blind labour; while the Jews have the path of knowledge set before them in the Law, who if they offend Christ’s Apostles it were better for them, that having their necks made fast to a mill-stone, they should be drowned in the sea, that is, kept under labour and in the depths of ignorance, as the Gentiles; for it were better for them that they should have never known Christ, than not to have received the Lord of the Prophets.

Otherwise; What is denoted by the sea, but the world, and what by the mill-stone, but earthly action? which, when it binds the neck in the yoke of vain desires, sends it to a dull round of toil. There arc some who leave earthly action, and bond themselves to aims of contemplation beyond the reach of intellect, laying aside humility, and so not only throw themselves into error, but also cast many weak ones out of the bosom of truth. Whoso then offends one of the least of mine, it were better for him that a mill-stone be tied about his neck, and he be cast into the sea; that is, it were better for a perverted heart to be entirely occupied with worldly business, than to be at leisure for contemplative studies to the hurt of many.

In the understanding of grace, or in ecclesiastical dignity, or at least in everlasting blessedness.

And anyone who leads astray or causes offense to one of these little ones, which includes not only children but all who believe in me with sincere hearts, it would be more advantageous for that individual if a large millstone, the kind that can only be moved by a donkey, were to be placed around their neck, and they were thrown into the depths of the sea. The Lord didn't merely state that a millstone would be attached to their neck; rather, He indicated that enduring such a fate is preferable, suggesting that a far more severe fate awaits the unfortunate soul. If this punishment is dire, the latter is even more so. Can you perceive the gravity of this warning? Recognize how He debases pride and encourages those who aspire to greatness to instead embrace humility.

Jesus’ Discussion on Temptation

John resumed the dialogue that had been paused and stated, “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were fastened around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea, for a more severe reckoning awaits him in the afterlife.” By referring to these “little ones,” Jesus emphasized those who possess a pure, childlike, and unreserved faith in Him. In addressing the subject of temptation—particularly the act of leading believers astray and sowing seeds of doubt concerning God's truth—it is common to associate this teaching of Christ chiefly with those who mislead children.

A Contemporary Example of Temptations Toward Unbelief

In resuming His discourse while still cradling the child in His embrace, the Saviour cautioned about the grave sinfulness and peril associated with offending, tempting, or leading astray those who embody innocence and righteousness. He warned of the serious consequences of teaching evil or planting wicked thoughts in the minds of these little ones, for their angels perpetually behold the face of our Heavenly Father. Such malicious deceivers, those who engage in actions aligned with the devil's agenda, He proclaimed in exceptionally powerful terms, will face a dreadful end—one that would justify binding a millstone around their necks and casting themselves into the depths of the sea.

The term "tempts" refers to leading someone into sin or creating an obstacle to righteousness, as seen in Matthew 5:29 and Matthew 11:6, where Chrysostom interprets seduction as neglect and offense. The phrase "one of these little ones" encompasses not just children but all believers who resemble children in faith, according to Matthew 18:5. The statement "it would have been better" suggests that it would be preferable for an individual to face death rather than lead a follower of Christ into sin; such temptation is capable of destroying the soul of someone for whom Christ sacrificed Himself, and thus warrants the most severe punishment.