Mark 9:42

Jesus was still holding the child when he said, “Listen, there might be a young child that believes in me. If anyone makes that child turn away from God, I tell you, it would be better if a really heavy stone was tied to the person's neck. And then, that person was pushed into the sea. Drowning in the sea would be better than God punishing them for making that child turn away from God.

Barkly (portions)

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

41And if anybody sees that you belong to me and gives you a drink of water, God will do something good for them and no-one can take that good thing away from them.” And you can read this story in Matthew 18:6-9 and in Luke 17:1-2

43And if there is something that makes you go against God then you have to do something about it. If you want to do something bad with your hand, cut it off. It is better for you to live with God forever with only one hand, than to go to hell with 2 hands, where the fire never goes out.

Read all of Mark 9

Matthew Henry on Mark 9:42-50

Pain to Be Preferred to Sin. 41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. 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. 43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Mark 9:42