Discovery BoxLuke 17:2 
Context17:2 It would be better for him to have a millstone 1 tied around his neck and be thrown into the sea 2 than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. 3
Luke 20:46
Context20:46 “Beware 4 of the experts in the law. 5 They 6 like walking around in long robes, and they love elaborate greetings 7 in the marketplaces and the best seats 8 in the synagogues 9 and the places of honor at banquets.
1 tn This term refers to the heavy upper stone of a grinding mill (L&N 7.70; BDAG 660 s.v. μυλικός).
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.
2 tn Grk “if a millstone were tied…and he were thrown.” The conditional construction in Greek has been translated by English infinitives: “to have… and be thrown.”
3 tn Or “to stumble.” This verb, σκανδαλίσῃ (skandalish), has the same root as the noun σκάνδαλον (skandalon) in 17:1, translated “stumbling blocks”; this wordplay is difficult to reproduce in English. It is possible that the primary cause of offense here would be leading disciples (“little ones”) astray in a similar fashion.
4 tn Or “Be on guard against.” This is a present imperative and indicates that pride is something to constantly be on the watch against.
5 tn Or “of the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 5:21.
6 tn Grk “who,” continuing the sentence begun by the prior phrase.
7 sn There is later Jewish material in the Talmud that spells out such greetings in detail. See D. L. Bock, Luke (BECNT), 2:1642; H. Windisch, TDNT 1:498.
8 sn See Luke 14:1-14.
