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.
But if anyone hurts one of these kids who trust in me, honestly? They'd be better off tied to a massive stone and thrown into the deepest part of the ocean.
Jesus takes protecting children seriously, like, ocean-deep seriously.
📚 Historical Context
In the first century, Jesus was speaking to his disciples in a context where he emphasized humility and the value of children and new believers, as seen in the surrounding verses of Matthew 18. He used the vivid image of a millstone, a heavy stone used for grinding grain, to warn against causing spiritual harm to the vulnerable, reflecting a cultural understanding of severe punishments for grave offenses. This teaching highlighted the seriousness of leading others astray in a society where children and the marginalized were often overlooked.
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