Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 18:7

"Woe unto the world because of occasions of stumbling! for it must needs be that the occasions come; but woe to that man through whom the occasion cometh!" — Matthew 18:7 (ASV)

Woe to the world because of offences. That is, offences will be the cause of woe, or suffering. Offences, here, mean things that will produce sin: things that cause us to sin, or temptations that induce others to sin. (See Barnes on Matthew 5:29.)

It must needs be, etc. That is, such is the depravity of man that there will always be some attempting to make others sin; some men of wickedness endeavoring to lead Christians astray and rejoicing when they have succeeded in causing them to fall. Such, also, is the strength of our native corruption, and the force of passion, that our besetting sins will lead us astray.

Woe to that man by whom the offence cometh. He who draws others into sin is awfully guilty. No man can be more guilty, nor can wickedness be more deeply seated in the heart, than that which attempts to mar the peace, defile the purity, and destroy the souls of others. And yet, in all ages, there have been multitudes who, by persecution, threats, arts, allurements, and persuasion, have endeavored to seduce Christians from the faith and to lead them into sin.