Luke 7:23

Context of Luke 7:23

Luke 7:23 is a profound statement made by Jesus in response to a critical inquiry from John the Baptist's disciples. John, imprisoned and perhaps struggling with the nature of Jesus' Messiahship, sent his followers to ask, "Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?" Jesus responded by performing miracles and then instructing the disciples to report back to John what they had seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel preached to them (Luke 7:22). This verse, Luke 7:23, serves as the concluding remark to that powerful message, subtly addressing the potential for doubt or disappointment in those who might have expected a different kind of Messiah—a political or military liberator, rather than one focused on spiritual and physical healing.

Key Themes and Messages

• The Nature of True Blessing: Jesus declares a blessing upon those who do not stumble or lose faith in Him. This blessing comes not from worldly success or power, but from unwavering trust in His identity and mission, even when it defies human expectations.
• Avoiding Stumbling Blocks: The term "offended" here refers to taking offense, being scandalized, or allowing something to cause one to doubt or fall away. For John, and many others, Jesus' humble approach and focus on healing rather than immediate political overthrow could have been a significant stumbling block. Jesus warns against letting such discrepancies between expectation and reality lead to disbelief.
• Faith Despite Circumstances: The verse challenges believers to maintain faith in Jesus regardless of their personal circumstances or the apparent contradictions they might perceive in His work. It emphasizes accepting Him on His own terms, not on preconceived notions.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "offended" in the KJV is skandalizō (σκανδαλίζω). This word is the root of our English word "scandalize." It literally means to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way, to cause to stumble, or to ensnare. In a moral or spiritual sense, it means to cause someone to fall into sin, to lose faith, or to take offense at something. Here, Jesus uses it to mean "to find fault with me" or "to be caused to stumble in faith by my actions or teachings." It highlights the danger of allowing human expectations or worldly perceptions to undermine one's belief in the divine truth of who Jesus is and what He came to do.

Practical Application for Today

Luke 7:23 remains profoundly relevant for believers today. In a world that often values power, wealth, and immediate gratification, Jesus' message and methods can still be a "stumbling block" for many. We are called to:

• Trust in God's Timing and Methods: Just as John the Baptist had to reconcile Jesus' ministry with his own expectations, we must trust that God's plan unfolds perfectly, even when it doesn't align with our desires or understanding.
• Embrace Christ's Humility: Jesus' kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). We should not be offended by His humility, His suffering, or the call to self-denial that comes with following Him.
• Persevere Through Doubt: Life's difficulties, unanswered prayers, or the apparent triumphs of evil can cause us to question God. This verse encourages us to hold fast to our faith, knowing that true blessing comes to those who do not allow these challenges to cause them to stumble away from Christ. As Jesus also states in Matthew 11:6, a parallel passage, the blessing is for those whose faith remains firm in Him.