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 6 tied around his neck and to be thrown into the sea.
1 tn This verse is one complete sentence in the Greek text, but it has been broken into two sentences in English for clarity.
2 tn Grk “about the fourth watch of the night,” between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.
3 tn Or “on the lake.”
4 tn The καί (kai) was translated so as to introduce a subordinate clause, i.e., with the use of “for.” See BDF §442.9.
5 sn The statement he wanted to pass by them is somewhat difficult to understand. There are at least two common interpretations: (1) it refers to the perspective of the disciples, that is, from their point of view it seemed that Jesus wanted to pass by them; or (2) it refers to a theophany and uses the language of the Greek Old Testament (LXX) when God “passed by” Moses at Sinai (cf. Exod 33:19, 22). According to the latter alternative, Jesus is “passing by” the disciples during their struggle, in order to assure them of his presence with them. See W L. Lane, Mark (NICNT), 236.
6 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.
7 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”