What is a millstone?
Luke 17:2
NKJV - 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
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Asked May 26 2013
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Colette Hill
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Kelli Trujillo
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A "millstone" is a very large and heavy cut stone used in a type of mill (for grinding things such as grains) powered by an animal, such as a donkey. I copied and pasted a link below that gives more detailed information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millstone In some cultures, criminals were punished by drowning with the use of a millstone. The millstone was hung around their necks, they were thrown into a body of water, and the weight of the millstone pulled them straight to the bottom. Here is another link that describes the history of the use of a millstone hung around a criminal's neck as a type of execution: http://www.newtestamentchurch.org/OPA/Articles/1986/09/a%20millstone.htm The point of Jesus' statement in this passage is that He is very concerned about how we live our lives before others. He is so adamant that we don't lead children or new believers astray that He indicates in this passage that this kind of terrifying and humiliating death by drowning would be preferable to the punishment that is due to those that mislead or misrepresent Jesus to the innocent or the naive. While Jesus' death on the cross is sufficient to forgive the sins of those that lead others astray, this passage is a clear picture of how offensive it is to Jesus if we commit this sin. It is a warning to do our best to live a life that honors Christ and to represent Him with integrity to all of those who watch us.
Jack Gutknecht
A "large millstone" is literally, "millstone of a donkey," i.e. a millstone turned by a donkey--far larger and heavier than the small millstones (Mt 24:41) used by women each morning. NIV Study Bible About the "millstone" in Matthew 18:6, a parallel to Luke 17:2, Ryrie writes, "The milling of grain was done by grinding it between 2 stones, each about 18 " in diameter and 3 or 4 " thick. The upper millstone was turned by a donkey walking in a circle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOwE2g-Ar2w is a contemporary Christian song using these lyrics from Luke 17:1b-3 (NLT) - “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting! It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin. So watch yourselves!"
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