9:42 “If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a huge millstone 2 tied around his neck and to be thrown into the sea.
1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
2 tn Grk “the millstone of a donkey.” This refers to a large flat stone turned by a donkey in the process of grinding grain (BDAG 661 s.v. μύλος 2; L&N 7.68-69). The same term is used in the parallel account in Matt 18:6.
sn The punishment of drowning with a heavy weight attached is extremely gruesome and reflects Jesus’ views concerning those who cause others who believe in him to sin.
3 sn The kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Children are a picture of those whose simple trust illustrates what faith is all about. The remark illustrates how everyone is important to God, even those whom others regard as insignificant.
4 tn For the translation “rise up in arms” see L&N 55.2.
5 sn See Isa 5:13-14; 13:6-16; Hag 2:6-7; Zech 14:4.