Matthew 18:6 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:6-9

Occasions of stumbling. To stumble is so to trip as to be hindered in faith or to be turned out of the way (cf. Matthew 5:29 , Matthew 5:30 ; Matthew 11:6 ; Matthew 13:21 ; Matthew 15:12 ; Matthew 24:10 ; Matthew 26:31 , Matthew 26:33 ; John 6:61 , John 6:62 , John 6:66 ; John 16:1 ). Occasions of stumbling are evil influences—allurements, persuasions, temptations, bad example, calumnies, insults, persecutions. The text teaches— I. THAT CHRIST HOLDS THE ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 18:1-6

See also Mark 9:33-41; Luke 9:46-50.Who is the greatest in the kingdom, of heaven? - By the kingdom of heaven they meant the kingdom which they supposed he was about to set up - his kingdom as the Messiah. They asked the question because they supposed, in accordance with the common expectation of the Jews, that he was about to set up a temporal kingdom of great splendor, and they wished to know who should have the principal offices, and posts of honor and profit. This was among them a frequent... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 18:5-6

Matthew 18:5-6. And whoso shall receive one such little child Whosoever shall entertain or discover an affectionate regard to any one of my humble and meek followers; receiveth me I shall take the kindness as done to myself. As if he had said, And all who are in this sense little children, are unspeakably dear to me. Therefore help them all you can, as if it were myself in person, and see that ye offend them not: that is, that ye turn them not out of the right way, neither hinder them in... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 18:1-14

78. Lessons in humility (Matthew 17:22-23; Matthew 18:1-14; Mark 9:30-50; Luke 9:44-50)Despite Jesus’ statement to his disciples that he was heading towards humiliating suffering and death (Matthew 17:22-23; Mark 9:30-32; Luke 9:44-45), they were arguing among themselves about who would have the important places in his kingdom. Jesus rebuked them, explaining that the way to spiritual greatness is through choosing the lowest place and serving others. To enter the kingdom of God, people must... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 18:6

offend = cause to offend, as in w. 8, 9, and Matthew 16:27 , little ones. Not the same as in Matthew 18:2 . believe in. See App-150 . a millstone = an ass-millstone. Onikos. Occurs only here and Luke 17:2 ; but frequently in the Papyri (see Deissmann, New Light, &c, p. 76). Here denoting a great millstone requiring an ass to turn it. about. Greek. epi = upon. App-104 . But all the texts read " peri " = around. App-104 . drowned. See note on Matthew 14:30 . the depth = the deep... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 18:5-6

Matthew 18:5-6. And whoso shall receive, &c.— "All who in the sense above explained are little children, are unspeakably dear to me; therefore help them all you can, as if it were myself in person, and see that ye offend them not; that is to say, that ye neither turn them out of the right way, nor hinder them in it." Dr. Clarke thinks, thatlittle ones mean plain and sincere Christians, before compared, for their simplicity and sincerity, to little children; and that to offend them signifies... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 18:5-6

The child in view in these verses is not a literal child but the disciple who has humbled himself or herself and in so doing has become childlike (Matthew 18:3-4). Jesus was speaking of receiving a humble disciple of His in Matthew 18:5. (Jesus taught the importance of receiving a little child in Mark 9:36-37 and Luke 9:48.) Whoever does this "in Jesus’ name" welcomes the disciple because he or she is one of Jesus’ disciples, not because that one is personally superior, influential, or... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 18:5-14

The seriousness of impeding the progress of a disciple 18:5-14 (cf. Mark 9:37-50; Luke 9:48-50)The major sub-theme of this discourse is offenses (Gr. skandalon, stumbling blocks). The humble disciple will be careful not to put a stumbling block in the path of another disciple as that one proceeds toward the kingdom. read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Matthew 18:6

18:6 offend (g-4) That is, 'be a snare to,' verb from Skandalon . see Note, ch. 13.57. millstone (h-22) Lit. an 'ass-millstone,' i.e. turned by an ass, as too great for the hand. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:1-35

Offending the Little Ones. The Unmerciful Servant1-14. Ambition reproved, and humility taught by the example of a little child (Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48).1. Who is the greatest?] RV ’Who then is greatest?’ The ’then’is explained from St. Mark’s statement that on the way to Capernaum the disciples had been disputing who was the greatest. The Transfiguration had revived the hopes of the three leading apostles that the Kingdom of Christ was about to be established, and the Twelve were divided... read more