What does Matthew 11:6 mean?

Explanation

The verse Matthew 11:6, "And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me," is spoken by Jesus in response to the disciples of John the Baptist, who have come to inquire if Jesus is indeed the expected Messiah.

The literal meaning of the verse is that a person is considered blessed or fortunate if they do not find themselves troubled or led to disbelief by the actions or teachings of Jesus.

On a deeper level, the verse addresses the stumbling blocks that people may face when confronted with the radical and sometimes counter-cultural teachings of Christ.

Jesus cautions his followers against taking offense at Him, implying that His ways may challenge societal norms or individual expectations.

Being "offended" suggests not only personal affront but also potentially losing faith, thereby missing out on the blessings that come with belief in Him.

Historical Context

This statement by Jesus occurs during a period when John the Baptist, who has been imprisoned by Herod, sends his disciples to ask Jesus if He is the "one who is to come" or if they should expect another (Matthew 11:3).

The historical context reflects a time of expectation among the Jewish people for a prophesied Messiah who would deliver them.

Jesus' ministry did not always align with the expectations of a political or military liberator that some were anticipating.

Instead, Jesus' message focused on a spiritual kingdom and personal transformation, which confused or disappointed some of his contemporaries.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse can be interpreted through various lenses.

One view is that it expresses the principle of faith triumphing over doubt and the blessing that follows.

The Beatitudes, found in Matthew 5:3-12, echo this theme of blessings associated with certain attitudes and virtues.

Another interpretation is predestination or divine election, in which not taking offense at Jesus is seen as a sign of being chosen by God.

Some theologians point out that this verse speaks about the inherent divinity of Jesus and the scandal of the Gospel, which can either be a stumbling stone or a cornerstone, depending on one's response to it.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, this verse serves as a reminder to modern believers to remain steadfast in their faith, even when confronted with difficult teachings or circumstances that challenge their faith.

It encourages followers of Christ to approach his teachings with an open heart and a spirit of humility, avoiding the pitfalls of pride or preconceived ideas about how God should operate.

This verse also underscores the importance of having the resiliency not to be discouraged by misunderstandings or opposition from others.

Cross-References

• Luke 7:23: "And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me."
• Romans 9:33: "As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."
• 1 Peter 2:8: "And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed."

Language Study

In the original Greek, the key word in this verse is "σκανδαλισθῇ" (skandalisthēi), from which the word "scandalized" is derived.

It means to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way, upon which another may trip and fall.

It metaphorically means to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom they ought to trust and obey.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing this to other ancient myths and religious beliefs, the concept of being tested in one's faith or facing troubling doctrines is not unique to Christianity.

Various religious traditions have their own narratives of prophets and teachers who brought challenging messages that tested the faith of their followers.

For instance, in Greek mythology, figures like Prometheus were seen as challenging the status quo of the divine order, resulting in both blessings and curses for humanity.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the idea of being "offended" or not taking offense at someone can be discussed in terms of psychological resilience and cognitive dissonance.

Psychological resilience refers to the mental capacity to adapt to challenging life conditions without experiencing long-term psychological harm.

Cognitive dissonance is a state of psychological discomfort experienced when two or more modes of thought contradict each other, which can happen when new religious teachings conflict with pre-existing beliefs.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and commentators have provided various insights on Matthew 11:6.

Albert Barnes, for instance, notes that the "offence" spoken of by Christ could arise from John's expectations of the Messiah as a temporal prince.

John Calvin interprets this as Jesus gently reproving John for not recognizing that the evidence of Messiahship was found in Jesus' works and character rather than in a grandiose earthly kingdom.

Adam Clarke discusses the potential reasons behind why people were "offended" with Jesus, ranging from his humble origins to his association with the poor and outcast.

These various commentaries help frame the verse within both an immediate and broader biblical conversation about faith, expectations, and the nature of Christ's ministry.