Charles Spurgeon Commentary Luke 17:1

"And he said unto his disciples, It is impossible but that occasions of stumbling should come; but woe unto him, through whom they come!" — Luke 17:1 (ASV)

Then said he to the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe to him, through whom they come!

Since the fall, we are so constituted that there are sure to be differences and disputes. It is a great mercy when people dwell together in unity. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is.

It is a work of grace; but nature has its sinful desires, and sinful desires lead to strivings; and so, as long as the world is as it now is, it is impossible but that offences will come: but woe to him, through whom they come.

Let us not, therefore, be either offence givers or offence takers. When anyone offends us, let us say, It is impossible but that offences will come, and let us make light of it; and let us be very careful that we do not cause others to offend.

As for him through whom the offence comes—

Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come:

We are so strangely made that even good men do not always agree, and there are so many bad men around that they will cast a stumbling-block in our way if they can.