Matthew 11:6

And blessed is [he], whosoever shall not be offended in me.

And {G2532} blessed {G3107} is {G2076} he, whosoever {G3739} shall {G4624} not {G3362} be offended {G4624} in {G1722} me {G1698}.

and how blessed is anyone not offended by me!"

Blessed is the one who does not fall away on account of Me.”

And blessed is he, whosoever shall find no occasion of stumbling in me.

Commentary

Matthew 11:6 (KJV): "‹And blessed is [he], whosoever shall not be offended in me.›"

Context

This verse comes at a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry. John the Baptist, imprisoned and perhaps struggling with doubt concerning Jesus' identity as the Messiah (given the lack of political deliverance), sends his disciples to ask Jesus directly, "Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?" (Matthew 11:3). Jesus responds by pointing to the signs he is performing—the blind seeing, the lame walking, the lepers cleansed, the deaf hearing, the dead raised, and the poor having the gospel preached to them (Matthew 11:5). These were specific actions foretold of the Messiah. Verse 6 is Jesus' concluding remark to John's disciples, a gentle admonition and a blessing for those who can accept his ministry and identity, even if it doesn't align with their preconceived notions or expectations of what the Messiah should be or do.

Key Themes

  • Avoiding Offense: The core message is the blessing bestowed upon those who do not stumble or take offense at Jesus, his nature, his actions, or his teachings.
  • Faith Despite Expectations: Jesus' ministry didn't fit the popular Jewish expectation of a conquering political king who would overthrow Roman rule immediately. This verse highlights the challenge of faith when reality doesn't match our assumptions.
  • The Nature of the Kingdom: Jesus' response emphasizes the spiritual and healing aspects of his kingdom, aligning with prophetic descriptions but differing from common political hopes.
  • Blessing for Trust: There is a promise of blessing for those who look beyond appearances and cultural expectations to truly see and accept Jesus for who he is.

Linguistic Insights

The key word here is "offended," which translates the Greek word skandalizō. This word literally means "to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way, upon which another may stumble or fall." Figuratively, it means to cause to stumble, to offend, to entice to sin, or to cause someone to lose faith or be alienated from God or Christ. The blessing is for those who are not caused to stumble or lose faith by Jesus.

Reflection

Jesus knew that his life and ministry would be a stumbling block for many. His humble origins, his association with sinners, his claims to divinity, and eventually his death on a cross were contrary to popular religious and political ideas. This verse remains relevant today. People can still be offended by Jesus' exclusivity ("I am the way..."), his moral demands, the suffering of believers, or the actions of those who claim to follow him. The blessing is for those who, despite these potential stumbling blocks, trust in him and accept him fully. It calls for humility, open-mindedness, and a willingness to let go of our own ideas about how God should work.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 8:14

    And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

  • Isaiah 8:15

    And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.

  • 1 Corinthians 2:14

    But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.

  • Matthew 26:31

    ¶ Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

  • John 6:66

    From that [time] many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

  • Matthew 24:10

    And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

  • Luke 4:23

    And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.
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