Luke 17:2

17:1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

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

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It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, rather than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble.

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.

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. ¶

17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

What does Luke 17:2 mean?

Luke 17:2 is a verse in the book of Luke, in the New Testament. In the original Greek, key words include λυσιτελέω (lusitelei), αὐτός (autos), εἰ (ei). It connects to 13 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Greek interlinear

were

betterλυσιτελέωlusitelei/loo-sit-el-i'/G3081third person singular present indicative active of a derivative of a compound of 3080 and 5056; impersonally, it answers the purpose, i.e. is advantageous:--it is better.

for

himαὐτόςautos/ow-tos'/G846from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare 848.

thatεἰei/i/G1487a primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.:--forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether. Often used in connection or composition with other particles, especially as in 1489, 1490, 1499, 1508, 1509, 1512, 1513, 1536, 1537. See also 1437.

millstoneμύλοςmulos/moo'-los/G3458probably ultimately from the base of 3433 (through the idea of hardship); a "mill", i.e. (by implication), a grinder (millstone):--millstone.

were

hangedπερίκειμαιperikeimai/per-ik'-i-mahee/G4029from 4012 and 2749; to lie all around, i.e. inclose, encircle, hamper (literally or figuratively):--be bound (compassed) with, hang about.

aboutπερίperi/per-ee'/G4012from the base of 4008; properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive case denoting the subject or occasion or superlative point; with the accusative case the locality, circuit, matter, circumstance or general period):--(there-)about, above, against, at, on behalf of, X and his company, which concern, (as) concerning, for, X how it will go with, ((there-, where-)) of, on, over, pertaining (to), for sake, X (e-)state, (as) touching, (where-)by (in), with. In comparative, it retains substantially the same meaning of circuit (around), excess (beyond), or completeness (through).

hisαὐτόςautos/ow-tos'/G846from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare 848.

neck,τράχηλοςtrachelos/trakh'-ay-los/G5137probably from 5143 (through the idea of mobility); the throat (neck), i.e. (figuratively) life:--neck.

andκαίkai/kahee/G2532apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.

castῥίπτωrhipto/hrip'-to/G4496a primary verb (perhaps rather akin to the base of 4474, through the idea of sudden motion); to fling (properly, with a quick toss, thus differing from 906, which denotes a deliberate hurl; and from teino (see in 1614), which indicates an extended projection); by qualification, to deposit (as if a load); by extension, to disperse:--cast (down, out), scatter abroad, throw.

intoεἰςeis/ice/G1519a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).

the

sea,θάλασσαthalassa/thal'-as-sah/G2281probably prolonged from 251; the sea (genitive case or specially):--sea.

thanἤe/ay/G2228a primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than:--and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea. Often used in connection with other particles. Compare especially 2235, 2260, 2273.

thatἵναhina/hin'-ah/G2443probably from the same as the former part of 1438 (through the demonstrative idea; compare 3588); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result):--albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to. Compare 3363.

should

offendG4624

oneεἷςheis/hice/G1520(including the neuter (etc.) hen); a primary numeral; one:--a(-n, -ny, certain), + abundantly, man, one (another), only, other, some. See also 1527, 3367, 3391, 3762.

theseοὗτοςtouton/too'-tone/G5130genitive case plural masculine or neuter of 3778; of (from or concerning) these (persons or things):--such, their, these (things), they, this sort, those.

little

ones.μικρόςmikrosG3398mikroteros mik-rot'-er-os apparently a primary word; small (in size, quantity, number or (figuratively) dignity):--least, less, little, small.

Commentary on Luke 17:2

HENRY_FULL · Luke 17:2

ver. 1-4 ), encourages them to pray for the increase of their faith ( ver. 5, 6 ), and then teaches them humility, whatever service they had done for God, ver. 7-10 . II. His cleansing ten lepers, and the thanks he had from one of them only, and he a Samaritan, ver. 11-19 . III. His discourse with his disciples, upon occasion of an enquiry of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should appear, ver. 20-37 . The Treatment of Offences. 1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! 2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his nec

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Zechariah 13:7

Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.

Matthew 18:3

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:6

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 18:10

Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 18:14

Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

Matthew 26:24

The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

Mark 9:42

And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

John 21:15

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

1 Corinthians 8:11

And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

1 Corinthians 8:12

But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

1 Corinthians 9:15

But I have used none of these things neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.

1 Corinthians 9:22

To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

2 Peter 2:1

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

Topics

Millstone

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Luke 17:2.

Mark 9:42

And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

Matthew 18:6

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 2:8

And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

Matthew 3:4

And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

Frequently asked questions

What does Luke 17:2 say?

Luke 17:2 (King James Version) reads: "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."

Is Luke 17:2 in the Old or New Testament?

Luke 17:2 is in the New Testament of the Bible, in the book of Luke.

Reflect

As you read Luke 17:2, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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