Matthew 11:6
And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Matthew 11:6
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 declares a unique blessing on anyone who doesn't stumble over His humble beginnings and unassuming demeanor. The true offense isn't His actions, but the clash between His divine mission and the world's expectations of a powerful, worldly ruler.
John the Baptist, imprisoned and facing his potential death, sends messengers to Jesus to ask if He is the Messiah they have been waiting for. Jesus responds by listing His powerful works – healing the blind, the lame, and the lepers, and preaching the Gospel to the poor – as evidence of His identity. He then adds this statement, calling blessed those who can see past any perceived offense or reason to doubt Him, despite His humble circumstances.
Why would Jesus call people blessed for not being offended by Him? It sounds strange, but it gets to the heart of how we respond to God's presence in the world.
Jesus was answering John the Baptist's question: 'Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?' (Matthew 11:3). John, imprisoned and likely expecting a more powerful, conquering Messiah, might have been confused by Jesus' humble lifestyle and ministry.
Jesus points to His works—healing the blind, raising the dead—as proof of His identity. Yet, He acknowledges that His lowliness, poverty, and unassuming approach could easily cause people to stumble or take offense.
The Offense:
Being 'offended' here means to be tripped up, to find a reason to reject someone. Jesus is saying that true blessedness comes to those who can see past the external and recognize God's presence and power even in humble or unexpected circumstances.
It's one thing to avoid tripping over Jesus; it's another to find real blessing in Him. What does that deeper blessing entail?
The word 'blessed' (makarios in Greek) signifies a deep, abiding happiness and contentment that comes from God. It's not just about avoiding offense; it's about actively trusting Jesus despite any potential reasons to doubt.
The Core of Trust:
Understand the original words
makarios · Greek Adjective
In a biblical context, this term denotes a state of profound, God-given happiness and spiritual well-being that is independent of external circumstances. It describes the condition of those who are in a right relationship with God and enjoy His favor.
skandalizō · Greek Verb
To cause someone to stumble, fall into sin, or lose faith by an act or an attitude. In this context, it refers to rejecting or being repelled by the person and message of Jesus due to a failure to recognize His divine mission.
John the Baptist, a stern prophet expecting a powerful, immediate deliverer, was imprisoned and uncertain if Jesus' humble, compassionate ministry was the fulfillment of prophecy. Jesus' response, highlighting His miracles and adding that 'blessed is the one who is not offended by me,' directly addresses John's (and the people's) potential stumbling block: the Messiah's unassuming, non-confrontational approach, which contrasted sharply with their expectations.
c. AD 28
Jesus commissions the twelve apostles
Jesus equips His twelve disciples with authority and sends them out to preach the good news of the kingdom of heaven and perform miracles.
c. AD 28— this verse
John the Baptist questions Jesus
While imprisoned, John the Baptist hears about Jesus' works and sends his disciples to ask if Jesus is the one they should expect, or if they should look for another.
c. AD 28
Jesus answers John's disciples
Jesus instructs John's messengers to report back on the miracles they have witnessed – the blind seeing, the lame walking, lepers cleansed, etc. – directly fulfilling messianic prophecies.
c. AD 28
Jesus speaks about John the Baptist
After the messengers leave, Jesus commends John the Baptist to the crowds, calling him a prophet and more, but lamenting that neither John's ascetic lifestyle nor His own more approachable ministry satisfied the people.
This passage directly links the Messiah to being a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, paralleling the reason many would be 'offended' by Jesus' humble appearance and ministry.
1 Corinthians 1:23This verse echoes the theme of Christ being a stumbling block to some and foolishness to others, highlighting the tension between divine wisdom and human perception.
1 Peter 2:8Peter directly quotes Isaiah, stating that Jesus is a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to those who disobey the word, reinforcing the idea that rejection often stems from a lack of faith or understanding.
Romans 9:33This verse quotes Isaiah 8:14, emphasizing that the stumbling block of Christ was set by God for both Israel and the Gentiles, showing a divine purpose behind the offense many took.
Luke 7:23This verse presents a similar beatitude spoken by Jesus in response to John the Baptist's messengers, directly connecting blessedness to not being 'offended' by Him.
barnesMatthew 11:6: "And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me."
And blessed is he ... - The word "offence" means a "stumbling-block." See the notes at Matthew 5:29 . This verse might be rendered, "Happy is he to whom I shall not prove a stumbling-block." That is, happy is he who shall not take offence at my poverty and lowliness of life, so as to reject me and my doctrine. Happy is the one who can, notwithstanding that poverty and obscurity, see the evidence that I am the Messiah, and…
calvinMatthew 11:1-6: "And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities."
- 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 answeri…
Jesus declares a unique blessing on anyone who doesn't stumble over His humble beginnings and unassuming demeanor. The true offense isn't His actions, but the clash between His divine mission and the world's expectations of a powerful, worldly ruler.
John the Baptist, imprisoned and facing his potential death, sends messengers to Jesus to ask if He is the Messiah they have been waiting for. Jesus responds by listing His powerful works – healing the blind, the lame, and the lepers, and preaching the Gospel to the poor – as evidence of His identity. He then adds this statement, calling blessed those who can see past any perceived offense or reason to doubt Him, despite His humble circumstances.
John the Baptist, imprisoned and facing his potential death, sends messengers to Jesus to ask if He is the Messiah they have been waiting for. Jesus responds by listing His powerful works – healing the blind, the lame, and the lepers, and preaching the Gospel to the poor – as evidence of His identity. He then adds this statement, calling blessed those who can see past any perceived offense or reason to doubt Him, despite His humble circumstances.
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This beatitude isn't just a statement about Jesus; it's an invitation to a profound state of being—one characterized by unwavering trust in Him, no matter the circumstances.
c. AD 28
Jesus pronounces woes on unrepentant cities
Jesus laments the lack of repentance in cities like Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, despite the many miracles they witnessed, foretelling their future judgment.
"And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”" — Jesus declares a unique blessing on anyone who doesn't stumble over His humble beginnings and unassuming demeanor. The true offense isn't His actions, but the clash between His divine mission and the…