Carefully Avoid Stumbling Yourself and Others: A Study of Matthew 18:6–9

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In Matthew 18:6–9, Jesus issues one of His most sobering warnings about the danger of stumbling—both personally and in causing others to fall. These verses contain vivid imagery and weighty instruction designed to impress upon His disciples the eternal consequences of moral compromise. The Greek terms and illustrations employed by Jesus underscore the gravity of sin and the radical measures believers must take to avoid it.

The Seriousness of Causing Others to Stumble (Matthew 18:6–7)

“But whoever stumbles one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were sunk in the open sea. Woe to the world for its causes of stumbling! For it is necessary that causes of stumbling come, yet woe to the man through whom the cause of stumbling comes!” (Matthew 18:6–7)

The term “stumble” (σκανδαλίσῃ, skandalisē) derives from the Greek skandalon, meaning a trap or snare. In context, it refers to any influence that leads a believer—especially a vulnerable or immature one—into sin or spiritual failure. Jesus refers to “little ones” (μικρῶν, mikron) not only as literal children but also as humble followers of Christ (cf. Matthew 18:3–4), emphasizing the protective responsibility that mature disciples bear toward those younger in faith.

Jesus’ language here is not figurative in its impact: He states it would be better for such a person to face violent death—being drowned with a heavy millstone—than to face the divine judgment for causing a believer to fall. The millstone (μύλος ὀνικός, mylos onikos) was a massive stone turned by a donkey, indicating the enormity of the offense. This stark metaphor highlights how seriously God views spiritual endangerment caused by others, whether through false teaching (2 Peter 2:1), bad example (Romans 14:13), or tempting others into sin (1 Corinthians 8:12).

Jesus acknowledges in Matthew 18:7 that causes of stumbling will inevitably arise because of the sinful condition of humanity. However, He immediately affirms divine judgment upon the one who becomes the agent of such stumbling. This upholds the scriptural doctrine of individual moral accountability—while evil may abound due to collective human fallenness, each person remains responsible before God for his own conduct (cf. Habakkuk 2:15; Romans 1:32).

The Urgency of Removing Personal Stumbling Blocks (Matthew 18:8–9)

“If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you. It is better for you to enter into life crippled or lame than to be thrown with two hands or two feet into the everlasting fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it away from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye than to be thrown with two eyes into the Gehenna of fire.” (Matthew 18:8–9)

Here, Jesus shifts from external causes of stumbling to internal ones. The imagery of amputating a hand, foot, or eye is hyperbolic but conveys an uncompromising call to spiritual self-discipline. The “hand” and “foot” represent actions and directions, while the “eye” symbolizes desire or intent (cf. 1 John 2:16). If any part of one’s life becomes a cause for sin—whether a habit, relationship, or personal ambition—it must be decisively removed.

The destination Jesus warns about in Matthew 18:8–9 is “Gehenna” (γέεννα, Geenna), a term derived from the Hebrew Gê ben-Hinnôm—the Valley of the Son of Hinnom—located southwest of Jerusalem. In the Old Testament, this valley became infamous as a site of child sacrifice to Molech (Jeremiah 7:31), leading to prophetic denunciation and its eventual designation as a cursed place of judgment (Jeremiah 7:32; 19:6). By the time of Christ, Gehenna had evolved into a symbol of divine retribution. Jesus used it to represent the final, irreversible fate of the wicked—not as a place of ongoing conscious torment, but as the realm of complete and eternal destruction. The imagery of unquenchable fire associated with Gehenna reflects its role as a consuming agent of annihilation rather than torture. It corresponds to the “second death” described in Revelation 20:14, signifying the total eradication of those who reject God’s will. Unlike Hades—a temporary condition representing the grave—Gehenna denotes final judgment, a complete and eternal severance from life. Thus, when Jesus warns His disciples to rid themselves of anything that causes sin, even something as precious as a hand or an eye, He underscores that it is far better to forgo temporal comforts than to be consigned to permanent destruction in Gehenna.

Importantly, Jesus contrasts this with “life” (ζωὴν, zōēn), meaning eternal life in God’s Kingdom. The statement reflects the binary outcomes of moral choices: life or Gehenna. Jesus does not teach mutilation of the body, but radical mortification of sin (Romans 8:13; Colossians 3:5). The value of eternal life far exceeds any temporal gain or pleasure that sin might offer.

Application: How Can I Avoid Becoming a Stumbling Block?

The principles Jesus gives in this passage apply to both personal conduct and community life. To avoid stumbling others:

Guard your influence: Recognize that your words, behaviors, and decisions can affect the faith of others, particularly newer or weaker believers. Be mindful of your freedom in Christ, ensuring it does not become a cause of offense (1 Corinthians 8:9; Romans 14:15).
Teach truth faithfully: Avoid distorted doctrine or compromising biblical convictions for popular appeal. False teachers incur stricter judgment (James 3:1).
Model humility and purity: Jesus places the “little ones” at the center of His Kingdom. Living with humility (Matthew 18:4) and sincerity protects the faith of others.

Application: How Can I Avoid Stumbling Myself?

Identify personal temptations: Evaluate relationships, environments, media, or ambitions that could lead you into sin. If necessary, eliminate them decisively.
Prioritize the Kingdom: Value eternal life over temporal comforts or achievements. This requires self-denial, repentance, and submission to God’s will.
Cultivate spiritual disciplines: Through prayer, study of Scripture (Psalm 119:11), and fellowship with mature believers, strengthen your resolve to walk uprightly.

Conclusion

Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 18:6–9 reveals the high stakes of spiritual integrity. Both leading others into sin and tolerating sin in oneself are treated with eternal consequence. The call is not to complacency, but to vigilance, accountability, and sacrificial self-examination. Those who desire to enter God’s Kingdom must pursue holiness with seriousness, trusting that the cost of discipleship is nothing compared to the surpassing worth of ζωὴν αἰώνιον—eternal life.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).