Luke 7:23
And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Luke 7:23
And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Jesus blesses those who won't let His humble appearance or challenging message cause them to stumble. It’s a profound invitation to look beyond outward appearances and cultural expectations to see the divine reality He embodies.
John the Baptist, imprisoned and hearing about Jesus' ministry, sends his disciples to ask if Jesus is the promised Messiah or if they should expect another. Jesus responds by listing His miracles – healing the blind, lame, and lepers, raising the dead, and preaching good news to the poor – as proof of His identity. He then concludes by stating that whoever is not offended by Him will be blessed, acknowledging the potential for people to stumble over His unconventional approach.
John the Baptist, a man of God who prepared the way for Jesus, found himself in prison and sent messengers to ask if Jesus was truly the Messiah. Why would someone so close to Jesus struggle with doubt?
Jesus' ministry wasn't what many expected. He didn't overthrow Roman rule or establish an earthly kingdom as anticipated. Instead, He focused on spiritual healing, preaching to the poor, and performing miracles that pointed to a different kind of kingdom. This disconnect between expectation and reality created a 'stumbling block' for many, including, it seems, John's own disciples who were hesitant. Jesus' response, highlighting the fulfillment of prophecy through His actions (healing the blind, deaf, etc.), was meant to confirm His identity beyond earthly power.
This reminds us that Jesus' mission often clashes with our own cultural or personal expectations of how God should work. Our understanding of 'blessing' and 'power' might be skewed by the world's standards, causing us to stumble when Jesus' ways seem unimpressive or counter-cultural.
Jesus declares 'blessed' those who aren't offended by Him. What does this 'blessedness' look like, especially when the path with Jesus is difficult?
This beatitude, 'Blessed is the one who is not offended by me,' is more than just a statement; it's an invitation to a profound state of well-being. It speaks to a deep-seated trust in Jesus, even when His ways are mysterious, His message challenging, or His appearance humble. To not be offended means choosing faith over doubt, conviction over confusion, and divine perspective over worldly expectations.
The 'blessedness' Jesus offers isn't about avoiding hardship, but about finding stability and peace in Him amidst it. It's the joy of knowing the truth, even when it's unpopular. It’s the assurance that comes from aligning our hearts with God’s revealed will, rather than getting tripped up by our own limited understanding or the world's opinions.
Understand the original words
makarios · Greek Adjective
The state of spiritual favor, happiness, or divine approval experienced by those who align themselves with God and His purposes, even amidst trials.
skandalizō · Greek Verb
To be caused to stumble, to be scandalized, or to lose faith; it refers to the inner temptation to reject Christ because His humble, suffering-oriented ministry does not match one's personal expectations.
John the Baptist, a fiery prophet, found himself in prison while Jesus' ministry, though miraculous, didn't fit the popular expectation of a conquering king. This verse highlights the spiritual challenge of trusting God's way, even when it's unexpected or humbling.
c. 27 AD
John the Baptist Imprisoned
John the Baptist is imprisoned by Herod Antipas, likely for denouncing his unlawful marriage. This marks the beginning of his confinement and separation from his ministry.
c. 27-28 AD
Jesus' Early Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry in Galilee, calling his first disciples and performing numerous miracles, drawing crowds and gaining renown.
c. 27-28 AD— this verse
John's Disciples Visit Jesus
While imprisoned, John hears about Jesus' ministry and sends two of his disciples to ask Jesus directly: 'Are you the one who is to come, or should we wait for another?'
c. 27-28 AD
Jesus Answers John's Disciples
Jesus responds by pointing to his miracles: the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the gospel is preached to the poor. He then utters the beatitude about not being offended.
This verse is the direct parallel in Matthew's Gospel, where Jesus pronounces the same beatitude in response to John the Baptist's inquiry about Jesus' identity.
Isaiah 8:14-15Jesus' words here echo Isaiah's prophecy, which speaks of the Lord becoming a sanctuary and a stone of stumbling for the people of Israel, highlighting the divisive nature of Jesus' mission.
1 Corinthians 1:23Paul addresses the same theme, describing Jesus Christ crucified as a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, showing the ongoing challenge of accepting a Messiah who doesn't conform to human expectations.
1 Peter 2:8Peter reiterates that Jesus is a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, connecting back to Isaiah and showing how people's reactions to Jesus reveal the state of their hearts.
calvinLuke 7:18-23: "And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things."
- And it happened that when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, [4] he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. 2. Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3. And said to him, Art thou he who was to come, or do we look for another? 4. And Jesus answering said to them, Go and relate to John those things which you hear and see. 5. The blin…
pulpitLuke 7:23: "And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me."
Verse 23. - And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. Our Lord here shows that he understood that this question came from the Baptist himself. Dean Plumptre calls attention to the tender way in which our Lord dealt with the impatience which John's question implied. "A warning was needed, but it was given in the form of a beatitude, which it was still open to him to claim and make his own. Not to find a stumbl…
Jesus blesses those who won't let His humble appearance or challenging message cause them to stumble. It’s a profound invitation to look beyond outward appearances and cultural expectations to see the divine reality He embodies.
John the Baptist, imprisoned and hearing about Jesus' ministry, sends his disciples to ask if Jesus is the promised Messiah or if they should expect another. Jesus responds by listing His miracles – healing the blind, lame, and lepers, raising the dead, and preaching good news to the poor – as proof of His identity. He then concludes by stating that whoever is not offended by Him will be blessed, acknowledging the potential for people to stumble over His unconventional approach.
John the Baptist, imprisoned and hearing about Jesus' ministry, sends his disciples to ask if Jesus is the promised Messiah or if they should expect another. Jesus responds by listing His miracles – healing the blind, lame, and lepers, raising the dead, and preaching good news to the poor – as proof of His identity. He then concludes by stating that whoever is not offended by Him will be blessed, acknowledging the potential for people to stumble over His unconventional approach.
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c. 27-28 AD
John the Baptist Executed
Later, John the Baptist is executed by beheading on Herod's orders, a tragic end to his prophetic ministry.
"And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”" — Jesus blesses those who won't let His humble appearance or challenging message cause them to stumble. It’s a profound invitation to look beyond outward appearances and cultural expectations to see th…