What does Luke 17:2 mean?

In the early verses of this chapter, Luke seems to collect off-the-cuff opinions about Jesus' varied lessons, combining them to show how believers should interact with Jesus and those they teach. Jesus is instructing a larger group of disciples and future church leaders.

In Luke 17:1–3, Jesus warns His disciples that they must not teach in a way that leads others into sin. The Greek says it would be a "better deal," as if it were a negotiation, to drown. Jesus tells them, "Pay attention to yourselves!" (Luke 17:3).

Material resembling Luke 17:1–2 is found in Matthew 18:6–7 and Mark 9:42, both of which place a related warning in larger teachings on personal sin. Both Matthew and Mark go straight into the teaching on ridding oneself of those things that cause personal temptation—that is, cutting off your hand or foot or tearing out your eye if they lead you to sin (Matthew 18:8–9; Mark 9:43–47).

Luke, however, emphasizes the responsibilities of leadership. As leaders in the church, the disciples will need to protect others—children as well as adults—from false teaching and committing sin, forgive others' sin against them, rely on God's power, and serve with radical humility (Luke 17:3–10).

A millstone is a large, thick, disk-like stone for grain grinding; these required strong animals such as oxen or donkeys just to roll. There were different sizes and weights, but any of them would be enough to drown a person.