9:42–50 In these verses we seem to have a collection of sayings somewhat artificially held together by particular words that associate the sayings with one another. Once brought together, however, the sayings are all to be understood in their present context, which has to do with discipleship, especially the obligations of disciples for one another.

The mention of little ones in 9:42 is a reference to Jesus’ followers and takes us back to verse 37, where Jesus refers to his followers under the symbol of “these little children.” The Greek reveals that this refers not to children but to believers; literally the phrase is “these little ones who believe in me.” The word translated here “to cause to sin” is literally “to cause to fall,” and it refers to someone causing another to fall into unb…