Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Harming Children?
10 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Harming Children in the Bible
Discover 10 powerful Bible verses about harming children. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential love & relationships topic.
Top 10 Verses About Harming Children
- 1
- 2Proverbs 22:6
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Train: or, Catechise in: Heb. in his way”
KJV - 3Matthew 18:6
“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”
KJV - 4Matthew 18:10
“Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.”
KJV - 5Mark 9:42
“And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.”
KJV - 6Mark 10:13
“And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.”
KJV - 7Luke 17:1
“Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!”
KJV - 8Luke 17:2
“It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.”
KJV - 9Ephesians 6:4
“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
KJV - 10
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Harming Children? (2 Verses)
“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Train: or, Catechise in: Heb. in his way”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Harming Children? (8 Verses)
“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”
“Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.”
“And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.”
“And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.”
“Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!”
“It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.”
“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
“Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Harming Children
- 1
Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.
- 2
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about harming children. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 3
Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.
- 4
Memorise at least one key verse about harming children and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.
Practical Application
Studying what the Bible says about harming children is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:
Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on harming children needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about harming children with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.
Pray through the key verses about harming children, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.
How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Harming Children?
You have studied 10 verses about harming children. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.