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Matthew 11:6: Idiomatic misinterpretations that offend
1. Matthew 11:6
KJV: And blessed is he, who soever shall not be offended in me.
Greek: και μακαριος εστιν ος εαν αν μη σκανδαλισθη εν εμοι
Latin: et beatus est qui non fuerit scandalizatus in me
Wycliffe: And he is blessid, that shal not be sclaundrid in me.
Tyndale: And happy is he that is not offended by me.
Luther: und selig ist, der sich nicht an mir ärgert.
Spanish: Y bienaventurado es el que no fuere escandalizado en mí.
2. Matthew 11
3. Matthew 11:6: Idiomatic misinterpretations that offend
Matthew 11:6 And blessed is he, who soever shall not be offended in me. [kjv]
και μακαριος εστιν ος αν μη σκανδαλισθη εν εμοι [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"σκάνδαλον" ≈ "trap, snare" as in
entice,
tempt, etc. Jesus is speaking in Matthew 11:6.
The Greek word
"blessed" here means
"happy". The
"offended" means
"entrapped" as in being
"tricked" or
"deceived". Or is it? How could someone be
"deceived" by Jesus? How could someone be "
deceived" by themselves or someone else about what Jesus really means?
A simple
idiom as
"misinterpret" may explain this and other verses in the
GNT (Greek New Testament).
4. A blessed comparison
Matthew 11:6 And blessed is he, who soever shall not be offended in me. [kjv]
και μακαριος εστιν ος αν μη σκανδαλισθη εν εμοι [gnt]
… happy … offended … [ty]
Latin has one word for which Greek has two separate words:
"blessed" as in "happy" or "content" (used here)
"blessed" as in "fortunate" or receiving a "good word" as in "eulogy".
In English, the word "
blessed" comes from the word for "
bloody" as in a ritual sacrifice. The meaning for "
bliss" was merged with "
blessed" and associated with "
getting something" and with "
joy" (another word mistranslated from the Greek).
5. Song: Blessed be the name
Psalms 113:1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. [kjv]
113:2 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. [kjv]
ειη το ονομα κυριου ευλογημενον απο του νυν και εως του αιωνος [lxx]
The hymn "
Blessed be the name" appears to be from nineteenth century camp meetings. The refrain "
Blessed be the name" appears to have been written by William Clark (1854-1915). The music is by William Kirkpatrick.
6. Verse 1
All praise to Him who reigns on high,
In majesty supreme,
Who gave His life for man to die,
That He might man redeem.
Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name!
Blessed be the name of the Lord!
Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name!
Blessed be the name of the Lord!
7. Meaning change
The ancient Greek word
"σκάνδαλον" ≈ "trap, snare" as in entice, tempt, etc., but could have an idiomatic meaning.
The original sense of "scandal" was to snare, trap, tempt, entice, etc. Someone else's fault.
This went to a "stumbling block" as the snare or trap. My fault. I did not look.
Saying: Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
This went to something that caused one to get off track, or sin (theological shift in meaning).
The "
passive" meaning went to an "
active" meaning through the Latin translation.
8. Meaning influence
In addition, the meaning of the word "
scandal", through French, was combined with the Old English word
"scand" ≈ "disgraceful, ignominy" to get the current meaning.
The meaning of "scandal" shifted to that of a discredit to one's reputation.
This went to the idea that the "scandal" was an embarrassment and disgraceful.
9. Modern Greek
10. Strongs - offend
- *G4624 *29 σκανδαλίζω (skan-dal-id'-zo) : from G4625 σκάνδαλον; to entrap, i.e. trip up (figuratively, stumble (transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure):--(make to) offend.
- σκανδαλιζει *6
- Matthew 5:29 ... thy right eye offend thee, pluck it ...
- Matthew 5:30 ... thy right hand offend thee, cut it ...
- Matthew 18:8 ... or thy foot offend thee, cut them ...
- Matthew 18:9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it ...
- John 6:61 ... he said unto them, Doth this offend you?
- 1 Corinthians 8:13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no ...
- σκανδαλιση *4
- Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these ...
- Mark 9:42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ...
- Mark 9:43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
- Luke 17:2 ... the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
- σκανδαλισθησονται *3
- Matthew 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray ...
- Matthew 26:33 ... Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
- Mark 14:29 ... unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.
- σκανδαλισθη *2
- Matthew 11:6 ... he, who soever shall not be offended in me.
- Luke 7:23 ... is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
- σκανδαλιζεται *2
- Matthew 13:21 ... because of the word, by and by he is offended.
- 2 Corinthians 11:29 ... not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
- εσκανδαλιζοντο *2
- Matthew 13:57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus ...
- Mark 6:3 ... with us? And they were offended at him.
- σκανδαλισθησεσθε *2
- Matthew 26:31 ... unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this ...
- Mark 14:27 ... saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this ...
- σκανδαλιζη *2
- Mark 9:45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it ...
- Mark 9:47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it ...
- εσκανδαλισθησαν
- Matthew 15:12 ... Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
- σκανδαλισωμεν
- Matthew 17:27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to ...
- σκανδαλισθησομαι
- Matthew 26:33 ... Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
- σκανδαλιζονται
- Mark 4:17 ... for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
- σκανδαλισθητε
- John 16:1 ... unto you, that ye should not be offended.
- σκανδαλισω
- 1 Corinthians 8:13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no ...
- *G4625 *15 σκάνδαλον (skan'-dal-on) : ("scandal;" probably from a derivative of G2578; a trap-stick (bent sapling), i.e. snare (figuratively, cause of displeasure or sin):--occasion to fall (of stumbling), offence, thing that offends, stumblingblock.
- σκανδαλον *8
- Matthew 16:23 ... me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest ...
- Matthew 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but ...
- Romans 11:9 ... and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
- Romans 14:13 ... put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
- 1 Corinthians 1:23 ... Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
- Galatians 5:11 ... suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
- 1 John 2:10 ... and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
- Revelation 2:14 ... taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, ...
- σκανδαλα *4
- Matthew 13:41 ... his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
- Matthew 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but ...
- Luke 17:1 ... It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe ...
- Romans 16:17 ... them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ...
- σκανδαλου *2
- Romans 9:33 ... a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth ...
- 1 Peter 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but ...
- σκανδαλων
- Matthew 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but ...
11. Strongs - offend
 |
Words: εσκανδαλιζοντο=2 εσκανδαλισθησαν σκανδαλα=4 σκανδαλιζει=6 σκανδαλιζεται=2 σκανδαλιζη=2 σκανδαλιζονται σκανδαλιση=4 σκανδαλισθη=2 σκανδαλισθησεσθε=2 σκανδαλισθησομαι σκανδαλισθησονται=3 σκανδαλισθητε σκανδαλισω σκανδαλισωμεν σκανδαλον=8 σκανδαλου=2 σκανδαλων
|
12. Sandals and scandal
In the Greek, the word for "
snare" or "
trap" is the same as the Greek word for "
sandal" except for a Greek "
κ" (kappa).
The ancient Greek word "σκάνδαλον" ≈ "snare, trap, temptation" and is the source of the English word "scandal" (with a different meaning).
The ancient Greek word "σάνδαλον" ≈ "sandal" and is the source of the English word "sandal".
It is not clear if the words are related.
13. Word slide
The Greek word for "
trap" or "
snare" was translated into Latin as "
offend" and whose primary meaning was "
attack" or "
strike". This influenced many Bible translations.
The
KJV (King James Version) often uses the English word
"offense" which comes, through French, from the Latin word
"offenso" ≈ "strike, hit" as in an "
attack" or, of speech, to falter or "
stumble" over words.
When you "
offend" me you are attacking me. This went from
physical attack to
verbal attack to, today, a
mental attack.
14. Football
In many sports games, such as American football, the sides (at any point in the game) are divided into "
offense" and "
defense".
A common joke is to ask what makes an "
offensive tackle" so "
offensive" which mixes the meanings of the English word between physical and verbal "
offense" or "
attack".
The English word
"defense" comes, through French, from the late Latin word
"defendo" ≈ "drive away, guard".
15. Idioms
An
idiom is a word or phrase that probably started with the original meaning but, at some point, changed meaning to something else.
The translators of the
GNT, over time, have attributed to idioms words or phrases where the original meaning of the Greek word still makes sense in that context.
On the other hand, the use of "
trap" or "
snare" in the
GNT does not make sense in some places. An idiom is here proposed. We will look at many verses in the
GNT to see which of many possible meanings might fit best.
[unification, unifiers]
16. Constraint logic: unification and resolution
Determining the meaning of a word or phrase or idiom by looking at how it is used is similar to the idea of
unification in computer science (type inference) or logic programming (e.g., Prolog) or constraint logic programming in general.
Robinson's unification algorithm (1965)
Hindley-Milner type inference (1969, 1978)
A
unifier solves a problem for the entire collection of examples. A
MGU (Most General Unifier) is more general than any other
unifier.
The goal, as in programming, is to find the
least fixed point of a system of constraints that will act as a
MGU. This is more complicated, linguistically, when there is more than one word or phrase that is unknown in all examples of text that use that word or phrase.
17. Proposed idiom
The proposed idiom is that the Greek word meaning "
entrap" or "
ensnare", and later translated as "
stumbling block" or "
offend" (through Latin and English) might be better translated as "
misinterpret" or "
misunderstand".
The original meaning was a physical trap or snare.
This meaning later went to a conceptual trap or snare.
The proposed idiom is a verbal conceptual trap that is not intended to be a snare or trap but, due to the a listener misinterpretation of what is/was said, it becomes an effective snare or trap.
People tend to hear what they want to hear. This is a form of
confirmation bias or
selective hearing.
To see this better, let us look at some verses using these alternatives.
18. Misinterpret
There are many English idioms that have to do with misunderstandings or misinterpretations.
wires crossed (from the original telephone line systems)
not on the same page
can't make heads or tails of it (from a coin flip analogy)
wrong side of the street
lost the thread
muddy the waters
beats me
have no clue
my bad
There are
honest misinterpretations and
willful misinterpretation (or ignorance, deception, etc.). How does one determine the difference? Is the difference important?
Two people can see the same thing in different ways.
19. Inerrancy progression
1 Blivet fork
2 Ideas on the fork
3 Bible meanings
4 Logical errors
5 Reality systems
Two people can see the same thing in different ways. Sometimes both are true in some sense.
20. Alternatives
Here are the alternatives provided, though there may be others that fit.
Which meaning fits the best?
offend, offended (attacks or annoys or bothers)
stumbling block (someone else set it up, tripped up)
ensnare, entrap (verbal or physical, get caught in it)
misinterpret, misunderstand (verbal, self-deception), misrepresent
The word "
confusion" might be used instead of "
misinterpret". There is a Greek word for "
confusion", as in the "
confusion" of tongues at the Tower of Babel. That word is not used. When one "
misinterprets" something that person may not realize that they are "
confused". That is something that an informed observer may notice.
21. Jesus speaks the truth
Jesus speaks the truth. Some truth has more than one meaning - where all meanings are true.
A sheep dog (bishop, pastor, etc.) decides on the truth and passes that truth along to the sheep who decide on that truth.
22. Deception
The sheep dog (bishop, pastor, etc.) may be a wolf dog (in sheep's clothing).
The wolf dog decides to deceive.
Some truth is passed along.
Some truth is ignored and personal opinion substituted.
The sheep may decide on the truth but may be led astray by the substituted opinion.
Truth that is misinterpreted often comes about from what is called "
confirmation bias".
23. Misinterpretation
The sheep dog (bishop, pastor, etc.) may misinterpret the truth.
The sheep dog can misinterpret the truth. Some truth is passed along.
Some truth is misinterpreted and, effectively, personal opinion substituted.
The sheep may decide on the truth but may be led astray by the substituted opinion.
24. Confirmation bias
A confirmation bias is a bias of accepting only facts that agree with what you have already decided is true and ignoring other facts.
That is, one accepts only new information that confirms what one already believes or has heard, etc. You can ignore facts that you do not know about (ignorance of the law) or ignore things in order to deceive others (and yourself).
A confirmation bias can be encouraged by the use of "
cherry picking" information to view or accept.
25. Belief
If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don't like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself. Saint Augustine (Early Christian father)
Do people today pick and choose which parts of the Bible they will believe?
Do pastors today pick and choose which parts of the Bible they will believe? Do they then pass on those parts to their flock and not tell them about other parts?
Note that you can ignore parts of the Gospel that you do not know about or do not understand (ignorance of the law) or you can ignore parts of the Gospel in order to deceive others (and yourself).
26. Comparison
There is little functional difference between the two scenarios.
wolf dog deliberately deceiving
sheep dog deceiving by misinterpretation
Jesus warns of this in Matthew 11:6. In the next chapter, Matthew 12, Jesus warns of "
idle words" that, for whatever reason, do not "
work for Christ". In a top-down manner this is connected to the "
unpardonable sin" and Jesus states a decision procedure to separate the above two, functionally similar, scenarios.
27. False teaching as poison
Talking about false teachers, early church father
Ignatius writes the following to the
Trallians (part 6.2, underlining added).
The Greek for "
unsuspecting" is "
ignorant". One needs to study the truth to not be "
ignorant".
English: ... these people, while pretending to be trustworthy, mix Jesus Christ with themselves - like those who administer a deadly drug with honeyed wine, which the unsuspecting victim accepts without fear and so with final pleasure drinks down death. Holmes, M. (2007). The Apostolic Fathers. 3rd Ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, p. 219.
What is the
functional difference between the following?
Someone who says "I am Christ. Do this." (false Christ).
Someone who says "I represent Christ. Christ says to do this.".
28. Puffed up with pride
After warning about the poison of false teachers, Ignatius tells the Trallians in the very next line that being puffed up with pride makes one susceptible to such false teachers (part 7.1).
English: Therefore be on your guard against such people. And you will be provided that you are not puffed up with pride ...
Holmes, M. (2007).
The Apostolic Fathers. 3rd Ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, p. 208.
Such prideful people think (know) that they know the answers without even checking to verify them. They will proclaim "
I am" followed by assertions or oaths of their self-exalted position.
Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. [kjv]
29. Communication sequence
1 Say
2 Deceive
3 Misinterpret
A "
false Christ" is not just someone who says "
I am Christ. Do this.". Someone who says "
Christ says to do this" is functionally equivalent to someone who says "
I am Christ. Do this.". The Greek word translated as "
glory" has a meaning of "
opinion". Giving "
glory" to God means deferring one's own opinion to the opinion of God. Taking glory from God means substituting one's own opinion for God's opinion. One way to do this is to change the Bible to fit one's own opinion.
30. Offended
The KJV and other English translations often use "offense", "stumbling block", etc. for the Greek word that might be better understood as "trap" or "snare" or, in abstract terms, "deceit" as in false teaching by trickery or deception or "misinterpretation" which, functionally, appears much the same.
What is the meaning of the following verse? Put emphasis on "offended" as a snare, trap, stumbling block, etc. It might help to think of "offend" as "deceive" as in a "snare that deceives" as that appears to be the type of "trap" or "snare" to which each verse refers.
Clearly identify who is creating or setting the "snare" and who is being caught by the "snare".
Might there be an honest "misinterpretation" that is similar to deliberate "deception"?
31. John 16:1
In John 14 and 15, Jesus speaks at length to clarify what has happened and what will happen.
John 16:1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. [kjv]
ταυτα λελαληκα υμιν ινα μη σκανδαλισθητε [gnt]
Which meaning fits the best?
offend, offended (attacks or annoys or bothers)
stumbling block (someone else set it up, tripped up)
ensnare, entrap (verbal or physical, get caught in it)
misinterpret, misunderstand (verbal, self-deception), misrepresent
Possible paraphrase:
I have spoken these things to you so that you do not misinterpret what I have said. (Jesus is speaking).
32. John 16:1
KJV: These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
Greek: ταυτα λελαληκα υμιν ινα μη σκανδαλισθητε
33. Matthew 13:41 end of time
Matthew 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; [kjv]
αποστελει ο υιος του ανθρωπου τους αγγελους αυτου και συλλεξουσιν εκ της βασιλειας αυτου παντα τα σκανδαλα και τους ποιουντας την ανομιαν [gnt]
… scandala … iniquitatem [v]
Which meaning fits the best?
offend, offended (attacks or annoys or bothers)
stumbling block (someone else set it up, tripped up)
ensnare, entrap (verbal or physical, get caught in it)
misinterpret, misunderstand (verbal, self-deception), misrepresent
The "
iniquity" has a meaning of "
lawlessness". That is, not following the usual and customary laws. Those laws: 1. Love God. 2. Love neighbor as yourself.
34. Matthew 13:41
KJV: The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
Greek: αποστελει ο υιος του ανθρωπου τους αγγελους αυτου και συλλεξουσιν εκ της βασιλειας αυτου παντα τα σκανδαλα και τους ποιουντας την ανομιαν
Latin: mittet Filius hominis angelos suos et colligent de regno eius omnia scandala et eos qui faciunt iniquitatem
Wycliffe: Mannus sone shal sende hise aungels, and thei schulen gadere fro his rewme alle sclaundris, and hem that doon wickidnesse;
35. Matthew 13:55-57
Matthew 13:55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? [kjv]
13:56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? [kjv]
13:57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. [kjv]
και εσκανδαλιζοντο εν αυτω ο δε ιησους ειπεν αυτοις ουκ εστιν προφητης ατιμος ει μη εν τη πατριδι και εν τη οικια αυτου [gnt]
Which meaning fits the best?
offend, offended (attacks or annoys or bothers)
stumbling block (someone else set it up, tripped up)
ensnare, entrap (verbal or physical, get caught in it)
misinterpret, misunderstand (verbal, self-deception), misrepresent
36. Matthew 13:55
KJV: Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
Greek: ουχ ουτος εστιν ο του τεκτονος υιος ουχι ουχ η μητηρ αυτου λεγεται μαριαμ και οι αδελφοι αυτου ιακωβος και ιωσης ιωσηφ και σιμων και ιουδας
37. Matthew 13:56
KJV: And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
Greek: και αι αδελφαι αυτου ουχι πασαι προς ημας εισιν ποθεν ουν τουτω ταυτα παντα
38. Matthew 13:57
KJV: And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.
Greek: και εσκανδαλιζοντο εν αυτω ο δε ιησους ειπεν αυτοις ουκ εστιν προφητης ατιμος ει μη εν τη πατριδι αυτου και εν τη οικια αυτου
39. Matthew 15:10-12
Matthew 15:10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: [kjv]
και προσκαλεσαμενος τον οχλον ειπεν αυτοις ακουετε και συνιετε [gnt]
15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. [kjv]
15:12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? [kjv]
τοτε προσελθοντες οι μαθηται λεγουσιν αυτω οιδας οτι οι φαρισαιοι ακουσαντες τον λογον εσκανδαλισθησαν [gnt]
The disciples do not say that the Pharisees "
understood" what was said which is what Jesus said two verses earlier. How can one be "
offended" or "
entrapped" by something which one does not understand? Did they perhaps "
misinterpret" or "
misunderstand"?
40. Matthew 15:12
Matthew 15:12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? [kjv]
τοτε προσελθοντες οι μαθηται λεγουσιν αυτω οιδας οτι οι φαρισαιοι ακουσαντες τον λογον εσκανδαλισθησαν [gnt]
Which meaning fits the best?
offend, offended (attacks or annoys or bothers)
stumbling block (someone else set it up, tripped up)
ensnare, entrap (verbal or physical, get caught in it)
misinterpret, misunderstand (verbal, self-deception), misrepresent
Jesus then continues.
41. Matthew 15:10
KJV: And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:
Greek: και προσκαλεσαμενος τον οχλον ειπεν αυτοις ακουετε και συνιετε
42. Matthew 15:11
KJV: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
Greek: ου το εισερχομενον εις το στομα κοινοι τον ανθρωπον αλλα το εκπορευομενον εκ του στοματος τουτο κοινοι τον ανθρωπον
43. Matthew 15:12
KJV: Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
Greek: τοτε προσελθοντες οι μαθηται αυτου ειπον λεγουσιν αυτω οιδας οτι οι φαρισαιοι ακουσαντες τον λογον εσκανδαλισθησαν
44. Matthew 15:13-16
45. Matthew 15:13
KJV: But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
Greek: ο δε αποκριθεις ειπεν πασα φυτεια ην ουκ εφυτευσεν ο πατηρ μου ο ουρανιος εκριζωθησεται
46. Matthew 15:14
KJV: Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
Greek: αφετε αυτους οδηγοι εισιν τυφλοι τυφλων εισιν οδηγοι τυφλος δε τυφλον εαν οδηγη αμφοτεροι εις βοθυνον πεσουνται
47. Astronomy
Astronomers study the stars.
Thales of Miletus was a pre-Socratic philosopher who studied astronomy. A story about him was included in
Aesop's Fables.
Thomas Aquinas (late 1200's) writes the following.
When Thales was leaving his house to look at the stars he fell into a ditch; while he was bewailing the fact an old woman remarked to him: "You, O Thales, cannot see what is at your feet and you expect to see what is in the heavens?"
Why did the blind man fall into the well?
He couldn't see that well. Water you saying. No. Well. It was dry humor as well.
Astronomy is a very difficult subject.
It's over my head! Watch out. What did I see? No comet.
48. Matthew 15:15
KJV: Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.
Greek: αποκριθεις δε ο πετρος ειπεν αυτω φρασον ημιν την παραβολην ταυτην
49. Matthew 15:16
KJV: And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?
Greek: ο δε ιησους ειπεν ακμην και υμεις ασυνετοι εστε
50. Matthew 16:23 Peter and Satan
Matthew 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. [kjv]
ο δε στραφεις ειπεν τω πετρω υπαγε οπισω μου σατανα σκανδαλον ει εμου οτι ου φρονεις τα του θεου αλλα τα των ανθρωπων [gnt]
… scandalum … [v]
Who is the "
thou"? Is it Peter, Satan, someone else, etc. Jesus is speaking.
Which meaning fits the best?
offend, offended (attacks or annoys or bothers)
stumbling block (someone else set it up, tripped up)
ensnare, entrap (verbal or physical, get caught in it)
misinterpret, misunderstand (verbal, self-deception), misrepresent
51. Matthew 16:23
KJV: But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Greek: ο δε στραφεις ειπεν τω πετρω υπαγε οπισω μου σατανα σκανδαλον μου ει εμου οτι ου φρονεις τα του θεου αλλα τα των ανθρωπων
Latin: qui conversus dixit Petro vade post me Satana scandalum es mihi quia non sapis ea quae Dei sunt sed ea quae hominum
52. Matthew 17:27 Temple tax
Matthew 17:27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. [kjv]
ινα δε μη σκανδαλισωμεν αυτους πορευθεις εις θαλασσαν βαλε αγκιστρον και τον αναβαντα πρωτον ιχθυν αρον και ανοιξας το στομα αυτου ευρησεις στατηρα εκεινον λαβων δος αυτοις αντι εμου και σου [gnt]
Who are the "
them" that should not be
"deceived"? (or
entrapped or
misinterpreted, etc.)
Is it the religious establishment?
Is it the other people listening?
Is it some other group?
The meaning appears to be "
lest we should ensnare or trap them" or "
lest we be misinterpreted by them".
53. Matthew 17:27
KJV: Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
Greek: ινα δε μη σκανδαλισωμεν αυτους πορευθεις εις την θαλασσαν βαλε αγκιστρον και τον αναβαντα πρωτον ιχθυν αρον και ανοιξας το στομα αυτου ευρησεις στατηρα εκεινον λαβων δος αυτοις αντι εμου και σου
54. Matthew 18:6 Offending little ones
Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. [kjv]
ος δ αν σκανδαλιση ενα των μικρων τουτων των πιστευοντων εις εμε συμφερει αυτω ινα κρεμασθη μυλος ονικος περι τον τραχηλον αυτου και καταποντισθη εν τω πελαγει της θαλασσης [gnt]
Which meaning fits the best?
offend, offended (attacks or annoys or bothers)
stumbling block (someone else set it up, tripped up)
ensnare, entrap (verbal or physical, get caught in it)
misinterpret, misunderstand (verbal, self-deception), misrepresent
Many today associate this verse with "
child abuse". However, the word for "
little ones" can have a double meaning of new believers in Christ. Does this increase the responsibility of pastors, teachers, etc.? In what way?
Note that the "
depth of the sea" is, in Greek, the "
sea of the sea".
55. Matthew 18:6
KJV: But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Greek: ος δ αν σκανδαλιση ενα των μικρων τουτων των πιστευοντων εις εμε συμφερει αυτω ινα κρεμασθη μυλος ονικος επι περι τον τραχηλον αυτου και καταποντισθη εν τω πελαγει της θαλασσης
Latin: qui autem scandalizaverit unum de pusillis istis qui in me credunt expedit ei ut suspendatur mola asinaria in collo eius et demergatur in profundum maris
56. Matthew 18:7 Future of the world
Matthew 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! [kjv]
ουαι τω κοσμω απο των σκανδαλων αναγκη γαρ ελθειν τα σκανδαλα πλην ουαι τω ανθρωπω δι ου το σκανδαλον ερχεται [gnt]
… scandalis … scandala … scandalum … [v]
Which meaning fits the best?
offend, offended (attacks or annoys or bothers)
stumbling block (someone else set it up, tripped up)
ensnare, entrap (verbal or physical, get caught in it)
misinterpret, misunderstand (verbal, self-deception), misrepresent
There will always be "
offenses" as "
deceptions". How responsible is the person who does the "
deception"? Does this increase the responsibility of pastors, teachers, etc.? In what way?
57. Matthew 18:7
KJV: Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
Greek: ουαι τω κοσμω απο των σκανδαλων αναγκη γαρ εστιν ελθειν τα σκανδαλα πλην ουαι τω ανθρωπω εκεινω δι ου το σκανδαλον ερχεται
Latin: vae mundo ab scandalis necesse est enim ut veniant scandala verumtamen vae homini per quem scandalum venit
58. Matthew 18:8-9 Hands and feet and eyes
59. Matthew 18:8
KJV: Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
Greek: ει δε η χειρ σου η ο πους σου σκανδαλιζει σε εκκοψον αυτα αυτον και βαλε απο σου καλον σοι εστιν εισελθειν εις την ζωην χωλον η κυλλον η χωλον η δυο χειρας η δυο ποδας εχοντα βληθηναι εις το πυρ το αιωνιον
60. Matthew 18:9
KJV: And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
Greek: και ει ο οφθαλμος σου σκανδαλιζει σε εξελε αυτον και βαλε απο σου καλον σοι εστιν μονοφθαλμον εις την ζωην εισελθειν η δυο οφθαλμους εχοντα βληθηναι εις την γεενναν του πυρος
61. Matthew 5:29-30 Eyes and hands
Matthew 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. [kjv]
ει δε ο οφθαλμος σου ο δεξιος σκανδαλιζει σε εξελε αυτον και βαλε απο σου συμφερει γαρ σοι ινα αποληται εν των μελων σου και μη ολον το σωμα σου βληθη εις γεενναν [gnt]
5:30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. [kjv]
και ει η δεξια σου χειρ σκανδαλιζει σε εκκοψον αυτην και βαλε απο σου συμφερει γαρ σοι ινα αποληται εν των μελων σου και μη ολον το σωμα σου εις γεενναν απελθη [gnt]
Can your eye ensnare or trap you? What about the "
left eye"?
If you "
cast it out", do you have another "
eye"?
Can you "
see" things with your brain without your "
eye"?
62. Matthew 5:29
KJV: And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Greek: ει δε ο οφθαλμος σου ο δεξιος σκανδαλιζει σε εξελε αυτον και βαλε απο σου συμφερει γαρ σοι ινα αποληται εν των μελων σου και μη ολον το σωμα σου βληθη εις γεενναν
63. Matthew 5:30
KJV: And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Greek: και ει η δεξια σου χειρ σκανδαλιζει σε εκκοψον αυτην και βαλε απο σου συμφερει γαρ σοι ινα αποληται εν των μελων σου και μη ολον το σωμα σου βληθη εις γεενναν απελθη
64. Mind or body
Discussion question: Do parts of the body cause one to be
ensnared or
trapped or
to misinterpret (i.e., a stumbling block) or does the mind cause one to be
ensnared or
trapped or
to misinterpret? Could it be something else or a combination. Explain.
[island happing, shake the dust off]
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Details are left as a future topic.
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65. 1 Corinthians 12:21 Eyes and hands and feet
1 Corinthians 12:21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. [kjv]
ου δυναται δε ο οφθαλμος ειπειν τη χειρι χρειαν σου ουκ εχω η παλιν η κεφαλη τοις ποσιν χρειαν υμων ουκ εχω [gnt]
… oculus … [v]
Paul uses the idea of body parts, such as the "
eye", in 1 Corinthians 12.
Are the ideas of Paul related to what Jesus is saying?
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Details are left as a future topic.
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66. 1 Corinthians 12:21
KJV: And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
Greek: ου δυναται δε ο οφθαλμος ειπειν τη χειρι χρειαν σου ουκ εχω η παλιν η κεφαλη τοις ποσιν χρειαν υμων ουκ εχω
Latin: non potest dicere oculus manui opera tua non indigeo aut iterum caput pedibus non estis mihi necessarii
67. Matthew 24:10
Matthew 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. [kjv]
και τοτε σκανδαλισθησονται πολλοι και αλληλους παραδωσουσιν και μισησουσιν αλληλους [gnt]
This is from the
Olivet Discourse about the "
End Times" where Jesus speaks of "
All of it". Which meaning fits the best?
offend, offended (attacks or annoys or bothers)
stumbling block (someone else set it up, tripped up)
ensnare, entrap (verbal or physical, get caught in it)
misinterpret, misunderstand (verbal, self-deception), misrepresent
Could it be that those "
deceived" no not realize it and, thus, betray and hate one another? Might a fellow believer "
betray" or "
hate" someone based on their misinterpretation or misunderstanding of what Jesus has said?
Might that misinterpretation or misunderstanding come from a teacher or pastor who also misinterpreted or misunderstood? Have you seen any of this in recent times? What are some explanations of the this verse?
68. Matthew 24:10
KJV: And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Greek: και τοτε σκανδαλισθησονται πολλοι και αλληλους παραδωσουσιν και μισησουσιν αλληλους
Latin: et tunc scandalizabuntur multi et invicem tradent et odio habebunt invicem
69. Matthew 26:31
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. [kjv]
τοτε λεγει αυτοις ο ιησους παντες υμεις σκανδαλισθησεσθε εν εμοι εν τη νυκτι ταυτη γεγραπται γαρ παταξω τον ποιμενα και διασκορπισθησονται τα προβατα της ποιμνης [gnt]
This is after the Last Supper as they go to the Mount of Olives. What might the disciples have been thinking was going to happen?
Which meaning fits the best?
offend, offended (attacks or annoys or bothers)
stumbling block (someone else set it up, tripped up)
ensnare, entrap (verbal or physical, get caught in it)
misinterpret, misunderstand (verbal, self-deception), misrepresent
[scorpion]
70. Matthew 26:31 scorpions
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. [kjv]
τοτε λεγει αυτοις ο ιησους παντες υμεις σκανδαλισθησεσθε εν εμοι εν τη νυκτι ταυτη γεγραπται γαρ παταξω τον ποιμενα και διασκορπισθησονται τα προβατα της ποιμνης [gnt]
The Greek word for "
scattered" is related to the Greek word for "
scorpion".
71. Matthew 26:31
KJV: 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.
Greek: τοτε λεγει αυτοις ο ιησους παντες υμεις σκανδαλισθησεσθε εν εμοι εν τη νυκτι ταυτη γεγραπται γαρ παταξω τον ποιμενα και διασκορπισθησεται διασκορπισθησονται τα προβατα της ποιμνης
72. Matthew 26:32-33
Matthew 26:32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. [kjv]
26:33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. [kjv]
αποκριθεις δε ο πετρος ειπεν αυτω ει παντες σκανδαλισθησονται εν σοι εγω ουδεποτε σκανδαλισθησομαι [gnt]
Jesus explains more. Peter claims that he will not be "
offended" as in "
trapped" or "
snared" or "
misinterpret". Which meaning fits the best?
offend, offended (attacks or annoys or bothers)
stumbling block (someone else set it up, tripped up)
ensnare, entrap (verbal or physical, get caught in it)
misinterpret, misunderstand (verbal, self-deception), misrepresent
[Monday morning quarterback]
73. Matthew 26:32
KJV: But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
Greek: μετα δε το εγερθηναι με προαξω υμας εις την γαλιλαιαν
74. Matthew 26:33
KJV: Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
Greek: αποκριθεις δε ο πετρος ειπεν αυτω ει και παντες σκανδαλισθησονται εν σοι εγω ουδεποτε σκανδαλισθησομαι
Latin: respondens autem Petrus ait illi et si omnes scandalizati fuerint in te ego numquam scandalizabor
75. Matthew 26:34-35
Matthew 26:34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. [kjv]
26:35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. [kjv]
Peter does deny Christ three times and the rooster crows. He then realizes what had happened on is devastated.
Did Peter know he was going to "deny" Christ three times?
Might Peter have "
misinterpreted" what Jesus had said to the extent that he had "
deceived" himself?
How many people say that they would never "deny" Christ? This is a specific example in this context.
How many people may have "misinterpreted" things that Christ has said? This is the general pattern for all contexts.
76. Matthew 26:34
KJV: Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
Greek: εφη αυτω ο ιησους αμην λεγω σοι οτι εν ταυτη τη νυκτι πριν αλεκτορα φωνησαι τρις απαρνηση με
77. Matthew 26:35
KJV: Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
Greek: λεγει αυτω ο πετρος καν δεη με συν σοι αποθανειν ου μη σε απαρνησομαι ομοιως και παντες οι μαθηται ειπον ειπαν
78. Matthew 22:15
KJV: Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
Greek: τοτε πορευθεντες οι φαρισαιοι συμβουλιον ελαβον οπως αυτον παγιδευσωσιν εν λογω
Latin: tunc abeuntes Pharisaei consilium inierunt ut caperent eum in sermone
Tyndale: Then wet the Pharises and toke counsell how they might tagle him in his wordes.
79. Strongs - trap
- *G3803 *5 παγίς (pag-ece') : from G4078; a trap (as fastened by a noose or notch); figuratively, a trick or statagem (temptation):--snare.
- παγιδα *3
- Romans 11:9 ... their table be made a snare, and a trap, and ...
- 1 Timothy 3:7 ... into reproach and the snare of the devil.
- 1 Timothy 6:9 ... into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish ...
- παγις
- Luke 21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all ...
- παγιδος
- 2 Timothy 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by ...
80. Romans 14:12-13 Active stumbling block
Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. [kjv]
αρα ουν εκαστος ημων περι εαυτου λογον δωσει τω θεω [gnt]
… rationem … [v]
14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. [kjv]
μηκετι ουν αλληλους κρινωμεν αλλα τουτο κρινατε μαλλον το μη τιθεναι προσκομμα τω αδελφω η σκανδαλον [gnt]
One should not put stumbling blocks or misinterpretations in place to trap or ensnare others. Paul explains this in Romans 14:12-13.
Does giving "
account" as a "
rational explanation" include "
idle words"?
81. Romans 14:12
KJV: So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Greek: αρα ουν εκαστος ημων περι εαυτου λογον δωσει τω θεω
Latin: itaque unusquisque nostrum pro se rationem reddet Deo
Wycliffe: Therfor ech of vs schal yelde resoun to God for hym silf.
Tyndale: So shall every one of vs geve accomptes of him selfe to God.
82. Romans 14:13 judge
Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. [kjv]
μηκετι ουν αλληλους κρινωμεν αλλα τουτο κρινατε μαλλον το μη τιθεναι προσκομμα τω αδελφω η σκανδαλον [gnt]
The Greek word for "
judge" here means to divide or separate as a intellectual decision. Paul says you are to "
judge" in this limited sense.
83. Romans 14:13 judge
84. Romans 14:13 Occasion to fall
Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. [kjv]
μηκετι ουν αλληλους κρινωμεν αλλα τουτο κρινατε μαλλον το μη τιθεναι προσκομμα τω αδελφω η σκανδαλον [gnt]
The KJV uses "stumbling block" for "trip up" in an active sense.
The KJV uses "occasion to fall" for "stumbling block" in a passive sense.
This verse shows the problem of translating the Greek word for "
trap" or "
ensnare" or "
misinterpret" as "
stumbling block" when the Greek has a word for "
stumbling block".
85. Strongs - stumbling block
- *G4348 *6 πρόσκομμα (pros'-kom-mah) : from G4350; a stub, i.e. (figuratively) occasion of apostasy:--offence, stumbling(-block, (-stone)).
- προσκομματος *4
- Romans 9:32 ... For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
- Romans 9:33 ... I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: ...
- Romans 14:20 ... for that man who eateth with offence.
- 1 Peter 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but ...
- προσκομμα *2
- Romans 14:13 ... that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
- 1 Corinthians 8:9 ... liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
86. Usage - stumbling block
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Words: προσκομμα=2 προσκομματος=4
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87. Romans 14:13
KJV: Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
Greek: μηκετι ουν αλληλους κρινωμεν αλλα τουτο κρινατε μαλλον το μη τιθεναι προσκομμα τω αδελφω η σκανδαλον
88. Strongs - stumbling block
- *G4348 *6 πρόσκομμα (pros'-kom-mah) : from G4350; a stub, i.e. (figuratively) occasion of apostasy:--offence, stumbling(-block, (-stone)).
- προσκομματος *4
- Romans 9:32 ... For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
- Romans 9:33 ... I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: ...
- Romans 14:20 ... for that man who eateth with offence.
- 1 Peter 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but ...
- προσκομμα *2
- Romans 14:13 ... that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
- 1 Corinthians 8:9 ... liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
89. Security field
In the security field, it has been recognized that any company that announces that it has a "hacker-proof" product will attract hackers from all over the world to take up the challenge.
Larry Ellison of Oracle (database) once announced that his software was "unbreakable". Within a few days, many security issues were found and exploited.
When Hillery Clinton announced that her home server was secure, something similar happened within a matter of hours.
90. Attacks
Attacks can be divided into two primary types.
A general attack. Email phishing.
A targeted attack. Email speer phishing.
The "
general attack" was against the disciples who are scattered.
The "
targeted attack" is against Peter (permission requested by Satan) for his bold statement.
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Details are left as a future topic.
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91. Crime progression
There appears to be, over time, a progression in what is considered a crime.
A crime depends on what you do - physical harm or damage.
A crime depends on what you say - difficult to quantify mental harm or damage.
A crime depends on what you think - non-quantifiable harm or damage.
This is a slippery slope since there is no known way to be sure of what someone is thinking. And thinking may not be consistent, in touch with reality, etc.
92. Levels
The levels of a crime can be categorized as follows.
physical - reality level (must cause physical harm)
abstract language - logical level (verbal)
cognition - opinion level (mental)
93. Thinking as a black box
A human cannot know exactly what someone else is thinking. Others are like a "
black box" from the outside. The Bible says this. Jesus, however, could know their thoughts.
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Details are left as a future topic.
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94. Snowflake generation
In recent times, according to Wikepedia (January 7, 2018), "
The term snowflake has been used to refer to children raised by their parents in ways that give them an inflated sense of their own uniqueness.".
One way this is expressed is as "
You can't say that. It hurts my feelings" (even if it is true in reality or logic).
In some ways, this has been noted before by the claim that 80% of students believe that they are above average.
In January 2017, Palahniuk claimed credit for coining this usage of snowflake, adding "
Every generation gets offended by different things but my friends who teach in high school tell me that their students are very easily offended."
[offended as in feeling attacked verbally and mentally]
According to Claire Fox, members of Generation Snowflake "are genuinely distressed by ideas that run contrary to their worldview"; they are more likely than previous generations of students to report that they have mental health problems.
[confirmation bias]
Fox argues that Generation Snowflake was created by over-protecting people when they were children and she argued the emphasis on self-esteem in childhood resulted in adults "tiptoeing around children's sensitivities" to avoid "damaging their wellbeing".
[self-esteem movement]
95. Stepping stones
There will always be rocks in the road ahead of us. They will be stumbling blocks or stepping stones; it all depends on how you use them. Friedrich Nietzsche (German philosopher, culture critic)
An idea that appears related to a "
stumbling block" is that a "
stumbling block" may be turned into a "
stepping stone" if the foot is raised high enough.
96. Stepping stones
Friedrich Nietzsche attacked Christianity throughout his lifetime.
The quote misses the idea that the "
stumbling block" in the Biblical sense is a "
trap" or "
snare" set by someone else and into which we fall.
Keep an eye out for such traps. The best way appears to be to study the Bible and understand what it is saying.
This quote has been the basis for expanded versions by many Christians. (omitted)
97. A snare laced by a lasso string
98. Revelation 2:12-14 Pergamos
Revelation 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; [kjv]
και τω αγγελω της εν περγαμω εκκλησιας γραψον ταδε λεγει ο εχων την ρομφαιαν την διστομον την οξειαν [gnt]
2:13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. [kjv]
2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. [kjv]
αλλα εχω κατα σου ολιγα οτι εχεις εκει κρατουντας την διδαχην βαλααμ ος εδιδασκεν τω βαλακ βαλειν σκανδαλον ενωπιον των υιων ισραηλ φαγειν ειδωλοθυτα και πορνευσαι [gnt]
99. Revelation 2:12
KJV: And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
Greek: και τω αγγελω της εν περγαμω εκκλησιας γραψον ταδε λεγει ο εχων την ρομφαιαν την διστομον την οξειαν
100. Revelation 2:13
KJV: I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
Greek: οιδα τα εργα σου και που κατοικεις οπου ο θρονος του σατανα και κρατεις το ονομα μου και ουκ ηρνησω την πιστιν μου και εν ταις ημεραις εν αις αντιπας ο μαρτυς μου ο πιστος μου ος απεκτανθη παρ υμιν οπου κατοικει ο σατανας κατοικει
101. Revelation 2:14
KJV: But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
Greek: αλλ αλλα εχω κατα σου ολιγα οτι εχεις εκει κρατουντας την διδαχην βαλααμ ος εδιδασκεν εν τω βαλακ βαλειν σκανδαλον ενωπιον των υιων ισραηλ φαγειν ειδωλοθυτα και πορνευσαι
102. Other texts
The ancient Greek word
"σκάνδαλον" ≈ "trap, snare" appears to not be used much outside of the
GNT and
LXX (Septuagint).
It is used once in the Didache, twice in the Epistle of Barnabas, and once in the letter of Polycarp to the Ephesians.
103. Barnabas and stumbling blocks
English:
The last stumbling block is at hand, concerning which the scriptures speak, as Enoch speaks. Holmes (2007, p. 387)
The "
at hand" means "
near".
Church fathers: Epistolh_barnaba 1 4:4 … σκάνδαλον ἤγγικεν… [churchfathers]
Which meaning fits the best?
offend, offended (attacks or annoys or bothers)
stumbling block (someone else set it up, tripped up)
ensnare, entrap (verbal or physical, get caught in it)
misinterpret, misunderstand (verbal, self-deception), misrepresent
104. Barnabas and the last days
English:
Consequently, let us be on guard in the last days, for the whole time of our faith will do us no good unless now, in the age of lawlessness, we also resist, as befits God's children, the coming stumbling block, lest the black one find an opportunity to sneak in. Holmes (2007, p. 391)
The Greek translated "
black" means "
dark" as in "
not light".
Church fathers: Epistolh_barnaba 1 4:16 … ἐσχάταις ἡμέραις… ἀνόμῳ καιρῷ … μέλλουσιν σκανδάλοις… [churchfathers]
Which meaning fits the best?
offend, offended (attacks or annoys or bothers)
stumbling block (someone else set it up, tripped up)
ensnare, entrap (verbal or physical, get caught in it)
misinterpret, misunderstand (verbal, self-deception), misrepresent
What might a "
coming misinterpretation" be?
105. Didache
English:
Then all humankind will come to the fiery test, and many will fall away and perish, but those who endure in their faith will be saved by the accursed one himself. Barnes (2007, p. 369)
Church fathers: Didaxh_tvn_dvdeka_apostolvn 1 16:5 … πύρωσιν … δοκιμασίας… σκανδαλισθήσονται … ἀπολοῦνται… [churchfathers]
Which meaning fits the best?
offend, offended (attacks or annoys or bothers)
stumbling block (someone else set it up, tripped up)
ensnare, entrap (verbal or physical, get caught in it)
misinterpret, misunderstand (verbal, self-deception), misrepresent
A a "
false Christ" may pass along enough of the truth so that some are still saved.
106. Polycarp to the Philippians
English:
Let us be eager with regard to what is good, and let us avoid those who tempt others to sin, and false brothers, and those who bear the name of the Lord hypocritically, who lead foolish people astray. Barnes (2007, p. 289)
Church fathers: Epistolh_polykarpoy_pros_filipphsioys 1 6:3 … σκανδάλων … ὑποκρίσει … ὄνομα … ἀποπλανῶσι … [churchfathers]
Which meaning fits the best?
offend, offended (attacks or annoys or bothers)
stumbling block (someone else set it up, tripped up)
ensnare, entrap (verbal or physical, get caught in it)
misinterpret, misunderstand (verbal, self-deception), misrepresent
[hypocrite]
107. Polycarp to the Philippians
The Greek word for "
hypocrite" meant "
acting" or "
pretending". It is not clear if, at this point, 100 years after Paul, the meaning of the word had changed closer to the modern definition. The meaning of the Greek word for "
entrap" or "
ensnare" might have shift towards the more modern meaning.
108. Matthew 11:1-6: Trapped by an offensive misinterpretation of Jesus
Matthew 11:6 And blessed is he, who soever shall not be offended in me. [kjv]
και μακαριος εστιν ος αν μη σκανδαλισθη εν εμοι [gnt]
… blessid… sclaundrid … [wy]
… happy … offended … [ty]
Jesus is speaking.
Have you ever been "blessed" (happy)?
Have you ever been "offended" (attacked) by Jesus?
The Greek for "
blessed" here means "
happy" or "
content". The Greek for "
offended" means "
entrapped" or "
ensnared" but, as an idiom, means "
ensnare yourself" or "
deceive yourself" or "
are deceived by others" or "
misinterpret".
The Greek word translated as "
temptation" (related to the Greek for "
pirate") means to be "
examined" to see if you can be "
deceived" by what you believe is true.
Have you ever "
misinterpreted" what Jesus said? How do you know? What might have motivated this statement by Jesus? Let us investigate.
109. Discuss
Discuss the following.
1. Provide some examples of what people think Jesus says, but not what he actually says, may cause people to be "
trapped" or "
ensnared" or "
misinterpret" when that was not the intention of Jesus.
2. Are you "
happy" or "
content" when you are "
deceived" or you "
misinterpret" what is said?
People can be deceived by their own lies or what they believe to be true.
110. Song: Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus
Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. [kjv]
παντες λογοι θεου πεπυρωμενοι υπερασπιζει δε αυτος των ευλαβουμενων αυτον [lxx]
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The hymn "Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus" was written by Louisa Stead (American hymn writer) in 1882. She was a long-time missionary to Zimbabwe.
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The music was by William Kirkpatrick (American hymn writer of Irish birth) who lived in Duncannon, PA as a child before his family moved to Philadelphia.
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111. Trust in Him
Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. [kjv]
παντες λογοι θεου πεπυρωμενοι υπερασπιζει δε αυτος των ευλαβουμενων αυτον [lxx]
One can put their "
trust" in Jesus but one needs to make sure that they understand what Jesus has said and do not "
misinterpret" Him nor let anyone else "
misrepresent" Him.
112. Verse 1
’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, "Thus says the Lord!"
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!
113. Verse 4
I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!
114. Reflexive deception
2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. [kjv]
πονηροι δε ανθρωποι και γοητες προκοψουσιν επι το χειρον πλανωντες και πλανωμενοι [gnt]
mali … seductores … peius errantes … errorem … [v]
… ubilai … airzjai … airzjandans. [got]
Timothy was Bishop of Ephesus. In 2 Timothy 3:13, Paul warns Timothy of "
evil" men "
deceiving" and "
being deceived". The word for "
evil" appears to be that of being burdened down with the cares and concerns of this world.
Deception can be reflexive in that one may start to believe one's own lies. This often happens when, in deceiving others, one starts to believe the deception being used.
115. Vladimir Lenin
2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. [kjv]
πονηροι δε ανθρωποι και γοητες προκοψουσιν επι το χειρον πλανωντες και πλανωμενοι [gnt]
Notice that the evil men are deceiving others but, apparently, and reflexively, deceiving themselves. Can deception be done be burdening down people with burdens that may not be necessary?
A lie told often enough becomes the truth. Vladimir Lenin (Russian revolutionary and politician)
116. Lies and truth
A lie told often enough becomes the truth. Vladimir Lenin (Russian revolutionary and politician)
117. Matthew 11:6
Matthew 11:6 And blessed is he, who soever shall not be offended in me. [kjv]
και μακαριος εστιν ος αν μη σκανδαλισθη εν εμοι [gnt]
… beatus … scandalizatus … [v]
Which meaning fits the best?
offend, offended (attacks or annoys or bothers)
stumbling block (someone else set it up, tripped up)
ensnare, entrap (verbal or physical, get caught in it)
misinterpret, misunderstand (verbal, self-deception), misrepresent
Possible paraphrase:
Happy is he who does not misinterpret what I say. (Jesus is speaking). The context of this verse is particularly interesting and addresses, in part, how one might misinterpret what Jesus is saying.
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Details are left as a future topic.
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118. Luke 7:23
Luke 7:23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. [kjv]
και μακαριος εστιν ος εαν μη σκανδαλισθη εν εμοι [gnt]
The verse in Luke is similar.
Which meaning fits the best?
offend, offended (attacks or annoys or bothers)
stumbling block (someone else set it up, tripped up)
ensnare, entrap (verbal or physical, get caught in it)
misinterpret, misunderstand (verbal, self-deception), misrepresent
Possible paraphrase:
Happy is he who does not misinterpret what I say. (Jesus is speaking).
119. Luke 7:23
KJV: And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
Greek: και μακαριος εστιν ος εαν μη σκανδαλισθη εν εμοι
120. Matthew 11:5 Context
Jesus says to tell John the Baptist the following.
Matthew 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. [kjv]
| blind |
receive sight |
| lame |
walk |
| lepers |
cleansed |
| deaf |
hear |
| dead |
raised up |
| poor |
gospel preached |
|
These are recognized as "signs" of the Messiah.
This is what Jesus has been doing.
What should the church be doing?
What should believers be doing?
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The next verse is interesting.
121. Song: Trust and obey
Isaiah 50:10 Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant… let him trust in the name of the LORD… [kjv]
The hymn "
Trust and obey" is based on the ideas of "
trust" and "
obey" from various parts of the Bible.
Presbyterian minister John Sammis (1846-1919) wrote the words to the hymn "
Trust and Obey" (with Towner in 1887).
122. Tune and title: Daniel Towner
The music to "
Trust and obey" is by Daniel Towner (1850-1919) written the year before the words. He later wrote the following for how he got the title.
Mr. Moody [Dwight L.] was conducting a series of meetings in Brockton, Massachusetts [presumably in 1886] and I had the pleasure of singing for him there. One night a young man rose in a testimony meeting and said, "I am not quite sure-but I am going to trust, and I am going to obey." I just jotted that sentence down, and sent it with the little story to the Rev. John H. Sammis, a Presbyterian minister. He wrote the hymn, and the tune was born. -Ira D. Sankey, The Story of the Gospel Hymns, 1906 , from hymnary.org
123. Verse 1
When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there's no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
124. Verse 3
But we never can prove
the delights of his love
until all on the altar we lay;
for the favor he shows,
for the joy he bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there's no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
125. End of page
Matthew 15:13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. [kjv]
15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. [kjv]
αφετε αυτους τυφλοι εισιν οδηγοι τυφλος δε τυφλον εαν οδηγη αμφοτεροι εις βοθυνον πεσουνται [gnt]
15:15 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. [kjv]
αποκριθεις δε ο πετρος ειπεν αυτω φρασον ημιν την παραβολην [gnt]
15:16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? [kjv]
ο δε ειπεν ακμην και υμεις ασυνετοι εστε [gnt]
Matthew 18:8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. [kjv]
ει δε η χειρ σου η ο πους σου σκανδαλιζει σε εκκοψον αυτον και βαλε απο σου καλον σοι εστιν εισελθειν εις την ζωην κυλλον η χωλον η δυο χειρας η δυο ποδας εχοντα βληθηναι εις το πυρ το αιωνιον [gnt]
18:9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. [kjv]
και ει ο οφθαλμος σου σκανδαλιζει σε εξελε αυτον και βαλε απο σου καλον σοι εστιν μονοφθαλμον εις την ζωην εισελθειν η δυο οφθαλμους εχοντα βληθηναι εις την γεενναν του πυρος [gnt]
Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. [kjv]
μηκετι ουν αλληλους κρινωμεν αλλα τουτο κρινατε μαλλον το μη τιθεναι προσκομμα τω αδελφω η σκανδαλον [gnt]
Which meaning fits the best?
