Luke 7 23

Luke 7:23 kjv

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

Luke 7:23 nkjv

And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."

Luke 7:23 niv

Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me."

Luke 7:23 esv

And blessed is the one who is not offended by me."

Luke 7:23 nlt

And he added, "God blesses those who do not fall away because of me. "

Luke 7 verses

Luke 7 23 Meaning

This verse declares a profound divine favor and well-being upon anyone who does not find cause for stumbling or offense in Jesus Christ, His identity, His actions, or His teachings, particularly when these might challenge their preconceived notions or expectations of the Messiah. It highlights that true blessing comes from accepting Jesus as He reveals Himself, rather than through personal biases or worldly standards.

Luke 7 23 Context

This verse is Jesus' concluding statement following the inquiry from John the Baptist. John, from prison, sends his disciples to Jesus with the pivotal question, "Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?" (Luke 7:19). This question likely stemmed from John's or his disciples' potential disillusionment; John preached a Messiah who would baptize with fire and separate the wheat from the chaff, but Jesus' ministry, full of healing and teaching the poor (Luke 7:22, fulfilling Isa 35:5-6, 61:1), lacked the overt judgment or political uprising some expected. In response, Jesus enumerates His works – healing the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead, and preaching good news to the poor – and then adds this declaration of blessedness. It subtly addresses the challenge faced by many in recognizing God's Messiah when His actions did not align with conventional expectations of a military or judgmental leader who would overthrow Roman rule. The Jewish people largely anticipated a King from the line of David who would restore Israel's earthly glory, and Jesus' humble beginnings and non-political kingdom could easily have been a "stumbling block."

Luke 7 23 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): A common conjunction, here linking Jesus' declaration of blessedness directly to His prior explanation of His works for John's disciples. It implies a logical consequence or a summary statement.
• blessed (μακάριος - makarios): Denotes a state of profound, enviable happiness and spiritual well-being, independent of external circumstances, resulting from receiving divine favor. It's the same term used in the Beatitudes, indicating a state of grace or God's favor, a "truly happy" condition.
• is he (ἐστιν ὃς - estin hos): Lit. "is he who," emphasizing the individual recipient of this divine favor. The blessing is personal and specifically applied.
• whosoever (ὃς ἐὰν - hos ean): An indefinite relative pronoun phrase, meaning "whoever," or "anyone who." This emphasizes the universal availability of this blessing to anyone, without distinction, provided they meet the stated condition.
• shall not be offended (μὴ σκανδαλισθῇ - mē skandalisthē):
  • μὴ (mē): A particle used for negation, implying a conditional "if not."
  • σκανδαλισθῇ (skandalisthē): From skandalizō, meaning "to cause to stumble, trip up, cause to fall, offend, entrap, cause to lose faith." The root word skandalon (stumbling block) originally referred to a baited trap stick or an obstacle over which one trips. Here, it signifies taking offense, losing faith, or finding something scandalous about Jesus – His person, His ministry, His words, or His method – because it goes against expectations or preferred ways of God's action.
• in me (ἐν ἐμοί - en emoi): Literally "in Me." This specifies the subject of the potential offense as Jesus Himself. The challenge is in one's perception and acceptance of Jesus as the true Messiah, especially when His identity or actions diverge from one's preconceived notions, traditions, or worldly wisdom.

• "blessed is he, whosoever": This phrase pronounces a divine beatitude and emphasizes the universality of its access. It sets the stage for a critical choice – to accept or to reject Jesus without reservation.
• "shall not be offended in me": This forms the core condition for receiving the blessing. It calls for a profound spiritual humility and discernment, a willingness to transcend human logic and societal expectations to embrace Christ as He is. It implicitly critiques those who failed to recognize Jesus because He did not fit their ideal.

Luke 7 23 Bonus section

• This verse subtly highlights a major spiritual danger for seekers: an inability to adapt one's theological or Messianic expectations to God's actual revelation.
• It foreshadows the widespread "offense" many would later take at Jesus' claims, particularly His divinity, His teachings on the Cross, and His perceived failure to establish an earthly kingdom immediately.
• The blessing mentioned is not merely an emotional happiness, but a state of spiritual flourishing and alignment with God's will, ensuring inner peace despite external circumstances.
• This declaration also serves as an encouragement to John the Baptist himself, subtly affirming that despite his circumstances (imprisonment), he should not falter in his belief in Jesus' unique role, even if it differs from what he might have anticipated.

Luke 7 23 Commentary

Luke 7:23 stands as a vital truth regarding faith in Christ. In light of John the Baptist's questioning, Jesus offers a pointed response that goes beyond merely affirming His Messiahship; it clarifies the nature of true blessedness. It's not about receiving a particular outward sign or experiencing an expected political liberation, but about the interior state of not stumbling over who Jesus is. This speaks to the radical, unexpected nature of God's redemptive plan through a humble Savior rather than a conquering king. Those who find ultimate satisfaction, meaning, and security not in earthly expectations but in Christ, even when His path deviates from conventional understanding, are declared truly favored by God. It teaches that faith often demands overcoming disillusionment and adjusting preconceived notions, allowing God's reality to reshape our understanding.