Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
It were well for him (lusitelei autw). An old word, but only here in the N.T., from lusitelhv and this from luw, to pay, and ta telh, the taxes. So it pays the taxes, it returns expenses, it is profitable. Literally here, "It is profitable for him" (dative case, autw). Matthew has sumferei (it is advantageous, bears together for).
If a millstone were hanged (ei liqov mulikov perikeitai). Literally, "if a millstone is hanged." Present passive indicative from perikeimai (to lie or be placed around). It is used as a perfect passive of peritiqhmi. So it is a first-class condition, determined as fulfilled, not second-class as the English translations imply. Mulikov is simply a stone (liqov), belonging to a mill. Here only in the text of Westcott and Hort, not in Mark 9:42 which is like Matthew 18:6 mulov onikov where the upper millstone is turned by an ass, which see.
Were thrown (erriptai). Perfect passive indicative from riptw, old verb. Literally, is thrown or has been thrown or cast or hurled. Mark has beblhtai and Matthew katapontisqh, which see, all three verbs vivid and expressive. Rather than (h). The comparative is not here expressed before h as one would expect. It is implied in lusitelei. See the same idiom in Luke 15:7.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Luke 17:2:
Acts 28:20
Hebrews 12:1
Hebrews 13:17
Revelation 18:21
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