Lexical Summary skandalizó: To cause to stumble, to offend, to lead into sin Original Word: σκανδαλίζω Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: skandalizó Pronunciation: skan-dal-id'-zo Phonetic Spelling: (skan-dal-id'-zo) KJV: (make to) offend NASB: fall away, causes to stumble, stumble, makes stumble, took offense Word Origin: [from G4625 (σκάνδαλον - stumbling block)]
1. to entrap, i.e. trip up 2. (figuratively) to stumble 3. (causitive) to entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to cause to stumble From skandalon; to entrap, i.e. Trip up (figuratively, stumble (transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure) -- (make to) offend. see GREEK skandalon HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 4624 skandalízō – properly, set a snare ("stumbling-block"); (figuratively) "to hinder right conduct or thought; to cause to stumble" – literally, "to fall into a trap" (Abbott-Smith). See 4625 (skandalon). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom skandalonDefinitionto put a snare (in the way), hence to cause to stumble, to give offense NASB Translationcause (1), cause...to stumble (2), causes (2), causes...to stumble (6), fall away (7), falls away (1), led into sin (1), makes...stumble (2), offend (1), offended (1), stumble (3), stumbling (1), take (1), take offense (1), took offense (2).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4624: σκανδαλίζωσκανδαλίζω; 1 aorist ἐσκανδαλισα; passive, present σκανδαλίζομαι; imperfect ἐσκανδαλιζομην; 1 aorist ἐσκανδαλίσθην (cf. Buttmann, 52 (45)); 1 future σκανδαλισθήσομαι; ( σκάνδαλον); Vulg.scandalizo; Peshitto lSK) [ ]; properly, to put a stumbling-block or impediment in the way, upon which another may trip and fall; to be a stumbling-block; in the N. T. always metaphorically, (R. V. to cause or make to stumble; A. V. to offend (cause to offend)); a. to entice to sin (Luth. ärgern, i. e. arg, bös machen): τινα, Matthew 5:29 (); f; Mark 9:42f, 45, 47; Luke 17:2; 1 Corinthians 8:13; passive Latinoffendor (A. V. to be offended), Vulg.scandalizor, Peshitto lSK []: Romans 14:21 (R G L Tr text); 2 Corinthians 11:29 (R. V. is made to stumble; cf. Winers Grammar, 153 (145)). b. "to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey; to cause to fall away," and in the passive, to fall away (R. V. to stumble (cf. 'Teaching etc. 16, 5 [ET]; Hermas, vis. 4, 1, 3 [ET]; mand. 8, 10 [ET])): τινα, John 6:61; passive, Matthew 13:21; Matthew 24:10; Matthew 26:33; Mark 4:17; Mark 14:29; (John 16:1); ἐν τίνι (A. V.) to be offended in one, (find occasion of stumbling in), i. e. to see in another what I disapprove of and what hinders me from acknowledging his authority: Matthew 11:6; Matthew 13:57; Matthew 26:31; Mark 6:3; Mark 14:27; Luke 7:23; to cause one to judge unfavorably or unjustly of another, Matthew 17:27. Since the man who stumbles or whose foot gets entangled feels annoyed, σκανδαλίζω means c. to cause one to feel displeasure at a thing; to make indignant: τινα, passive, to be displeased, indignant (A. V. offended), Matthew 15:12. The verb σκανδαλίζω is found neither in secular authors nor in the Sept., but only in the relies of Aq.'s version of the O. T., Psalm 63:9 (); Isaiah 8:15; (xl. 30); Proverbs 4:12 for כָּשַׁל; besides in Sir. 9:5 Sir. 23:8 Sir. 35:15 (Sir. 32:15); (Psalt. Sal. 16, 7. Cf. Winer's Grammar, 33.)
Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 4624 (skandalizō) describes the act of tripping up a person’s faith, conscience, or moral walk. In Scripture it ranges from inner disillusionment with Christ to deliberate inducement of sin in others. It occurs twenty-nine times in the Greek New Testament. Old Testament and Jewish Background The Septuagint often uses cognate forms for “stumbling block” or “snare” (for example, Isaiah 8:14). Within Second-Temple Judaism a σκάνδαλον was anything that led Israel away from covenant loyalty. This background sharpens the New Testament warnings: to “scandalize” someone is to divert that person from steadfast trust in the Lord. New Testament Distribution and Representative Contexts 1. Personal offense at Jesus and His message • “Blessed is the one who is not offended by Me.” (Matthew 11:6; Luke 7:23) • Hometown unbelief: “They took offense at Him.” (Matthew 13:57; Mark 6:3) 2. Apostolic failure under persecution • “You will all fall away because of Me this night.” (Matthew 26:31; Mark 14:27) 3. Causing others to sin or abandon faith • Millstone warning concerning children (Matthew 18:6; Mark 9:42; Luke 17:2) • Food offered to idols and the weak conscience (1 Corinthians 8:13) 4. Radical self-discipline against inward sin • “If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.” (Matthew 5:30; cf. Mark 9:43-47) 5. Eschatological falling away • “Many will fall away and will betray one another.” (Matthew 24:10) Theological Significance Christ as Touchstone: Jesus Himself is both the chief cornerstone and, to the unbelieving, “a stone of stumbling” (compare 1 Peter 2:8). Skandalizō therefore reveals the heart’s posture toward divine revelation; acceptance leads to blessedness, rejection to ruin. Human Responsibility: Scripture distinguishes between unavoidable offense created by truth (Galatians 5:11) and culpable offense created by believers. The latter incurs severe judgment (Matthew 18:6) because it usurps God’s role as guardian of His little ones. Perseverance and Apostasy: Predictive sayings in the Gospels expose the fragility of discipleship when not anchored in grace. Yet Jesus also promises restoration (Matthew 26:32), showing that failure need not be final. Christian Liberty and Love: Paul applies skandalizō to ethical gray areas. Liberty that wounds a brother becomes sin against Christ (1 Corinthians 8:12-13). Thus the principle of edification governs freedoms. Pastoral and Ministry Applications Safeguarding the Vulnerable: Children and new believers require intentional protection from teachings or behaviors that could derail nascent faith. Ministries must evaluate curricula, leadership conduct, and community culture in light of the millstone warning. Self-Examination: Personal holiness is non-negotiable. Jesus’ hyperbolic language about amputation underscores the costliness of sanctification. Leaders model decisive action against besetting sins that might scandalize others. Handling Controversial Liberties: Dietary choices, entertainment, and cultural practices must be filtered through the law of love. If an action “causes my brother to stumble,” the mature response is voluntary restraint. Preparing for Persecution: Congregations should be equipped to endure social ostracism or state opposition so that they “may not fall away” (John 16:1). Teaching on suffering, lament, and eschatological hope strengthens resilience. Proclaiming an Unoffensive Gospel Offensively Received: The cross will offend worldly sensibilities; the messenger must ensure that offense rests solely in the message, not in personal harshness or hypocrisy. Historical Notes Early Church debates over idol meat (Acts 15; 1 Corinthians 8–10) illustrate practical outworking. Patristic writers (e.g., Tertullian) later employed skandalon language against moral laxity. Reformers echoed the theme when warning against ecclesial abuses that led believers astray. Summary Skandalizō calls the church to discern between the inevitable offense of gospel truth and the avoidable offense of ungodly conduct. Faithful discipleship embraces the former while vigorously eliminating the latter, thereby fostering communities where none need stumble and all may persevere to the glory of God. Forms and Transliterations εσκανδαλιζοντο εσκανδαλίζοντο ἐσκανδαλίζοντο εσκανδαλισθησαν εσκανδαλίσθησαν ἐσκανδαλίσθησαν σκανδαλιζει σκανδαλίζει σκανδαλιζεται σκανδαλίζεται σκανδαλίζη σκανδαλίζῃ σκανδαλιζονται σκανδαλίζονται σκανδαλιση σκανδαλίση σκανδαλίσῃ σκανδαλισθη σκανδαλισθή σκανδαλισθῇ σκανδαλισθησεσθε σκανδαλισθήσεσθε σκανδαλισθησομαι σκανδαλισθήσομαι σκανδαλισθησονται σκανδαλισθήσονται σκανδαλισθητε σκανδαλισθήτε σκανδαλισθῆτε σκανδαλισω σκανδαλίσω σκανδαλισωμεν σκανδαλίσωμεν eskandalisthesan eskandalisthēsan eskandalísthesan eskandalísthēsan eskandalizonto eskandalízonto skandalise skandalisē skandalísei skandalísēi skandaliso skandalisō skandalíso skandalísō skandalisomen skandalisōmen skandalísomen skandalísōmen skandalisthe skandalisthē skandalisthêi skandalisthē̂i skandalisthesesthe skandalisthēsesthe skandalisthḗsesthe skandalisthesomai skandalisthēsomai skandalisthḗsomai skandalisthesontai skandalisthēsontai skandalisthḗsontai skandalisthete skandalisthête skandalisthēte skandalisthē̂te skandalize skandalizē skandalizei skandalízei skandalízēi skandalizetai skandalízetai skandalizontai skandalízontaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts Englishman's Concordance Matthew 5:29 V-PIA-3SGRK: ὁ δεξιὸς σκανδαλίζει σε ἔξελεNAS: eye makes you stumble, tear KJV: right eye offend thee, pluck INT: right cause to stumble you pluck out Matthew 5:30 V-PIA-3S GRK: σου χεὶρ σκανδαλίζει σε ἔκκοψον NAS: hand makes you stumble, cut it off KJV: right hand offend thee, cut INT: of you hand cause to stumble you cut off Matthew 11:6 V-ASP-3S GRK: ἐὰν μὴ σκανδαλισθῇ ἐν ἐμοί NAS: is he who does not take offense at Me. KJV: shall not be offended in me. INT: if not shall fall away in me Matthew 13:21 V-PIM/P-3S GRK: λόγον εὐθὺς σκανδαλίζεται NAS: immediately he falls away. KJV: of the word, by and by he is offended. INT: word immediately he falls away Matthew 13:57 V-IIM/P-3P GRK: καὶ ἐσκανδαλίζοντο ἐν αὐτῷ NAS: And they took offense at Him. But Jesus KJV: And they were offended in him. INT: And they were offended at him Matthew 15:12 V-AIP-3P GRK: τὸν λόγον ἐσκανδαλίσθησαν NAS: that the Pharisees were offended when they heard KJV: the Pharisees were offended, after they heard INT: the saying were offended Matthew 17:27 V-ASA-1P GRK: δὲ μὴ σκανδαλίσωμεν αὐτούς πορευθεὶς NAS: so that we do not offend them, go KJV: lest we should offend them, INT: moreover not we might offend them having gone Matthew 18:6 V-ASA-3S GRK: δ' ἂν σκανδαλίσῃ ἕνα τῶν NAS: but whoever causes one of these KJV: But whoso shall offend one of these INT: moreover anyhow shall cause to stumble one of the Matthew 18:8 V-PIA-3S GRK: πούς σου σκανδαλίζει σε ἔκκοψον NAS: your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off KJV: thy foot offend thee, cut them INT: foot of you cause to sin you cut off Matthew 18:9 V-PIA-3S GRK: ὀφθαλμός σου σκανδαλίζει σε ἔξελε NAS: your eye causes you to stumble, pluck KJV: thine eye offend thee, pluck INT: eye of you cause to sin you pluck out Matthew 24:10 V-FIP-3P GRK: καὶ τότε σκανδαλισθήσονται πολλοὶ καὶ NAS: many will fall away and will betray KJV: shall many be offended, and INT: And then will fall away many and Matthew 26:31 V-FIP-2P GRK: Πάντες ὑμεῖς σκανδαλισθήσεσθε ἐν ἐμοὶ NAS: to them, You will all fall away because KJV: All ye shall be offended because of me INT: All you will fall away because of me Matthew 26:33 V-FIP-3P GRK: Εἰ πάντες σκανδαλισθήσονται ἐν σοί NAS: all may fall away KJV: all [men] shall be offended because INT: If all will fall away because of you Matthew 26:33 V-FIP-1S GRK: ἐγὼ οὐδέποτε σκανδαλισθήσομαι NAS: may fall away because KJV: [yet] will I never be offended. INT: I never will fall away Mark 4:17 V-PIM/P-3P GRK: λόγον εὐθὺς σκανδαλίζονται NAS: immediately they fall away. KJV: immediately they are offended. INT: word immediately they fall away Mark 6:3 V-IIM/P-3P GRK: ἡμᾶς καὶ ἐσκανδαλίζοντο ἐν αὐτῷ NAS: here with us? And they took offense at Him. KJV: us? And they were offended at him. INT: us and they took offense at him Mark 9:42 V-ASA-3S GRK: ὃς ἂν σκανδαλίσῃ ἕνα τῶν NAS: Whoever causes one of these KJV: whosoever shall offend one INT: whoever anyhow might cause to stumble one of the Mark 9:43 V-ASA-3S GRK: Καὶ ἐὰν σκανδαλίζῃ σε ἡ NAS: your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; KJV: thy hand offend thee, cut INT: And if should cause to stumble you the Mark 9:45 V-PSA-3S GRK: πούς σου σκανδαλίζῃ σε ἀπόκοψον NAS: your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; KJV: thy foot offend thee, cut INT: foot of you should cause to stumble you cut off Mark 9:47 V-PSA-3S GRK: ὀφθαλμός σου σκανδαλίζῃ σε ἔκβαλε NAS: your eye causes you to stumble, throw KJV: thine eye offend thee, pluck INT: eye of you should cause to stumble you cast out Mark 14:27 V-FIP-2P GRK: ὅτι Πάντες σκανδαλισθήσεσθε ἐν ἐμοὶ NAS: to them, You will all fall away, because KJV: All ye shall be offended because of INT: All you will fall away in me Mark 14:29 V-FIP-3P GRK: καὶ πάντες σκανδαλισθήσονται ἀλλ' οὐκ NAS: all may fall away, yet KJV: all shall be offended, yet INT: Even all will fall away yet not Luke 7:23 V-ASP-3S GRK: ἐὰν μὴ σκανδαλισθῇ ἐν ἐμοί NAS: is he who does not take offense at Me. KJV: shall not be offended in me. INT: if not shall fall away in me Luke 17:2 V-ASA-3S GRK: ἢ ἵνα σκανδαλίσῃ τῶν μικρῶν NAS: than that he would cause one KJV: that he should offend one INT: than that he should cause to stumble little John 6:61 V-PIA-3S GRK: Τοῦτο ὑμᾶς σκανδαλίζει NAS: to them, Does this cause you to stumble? KJV: unto them, Doth this offend you? INT: This you does offend Strong's Greek 4624 29 Occurrences
ἐσκανδαλίσθησαν — 1 Occ. ἐσκανδαλίζοντο — 2 Occ. σκανδαλίσῃ — 3 Occ. σκανδαλίσω — 1 Occ. σκανδαλίσωμεν — 1 Occ. σκανδαλισθῇ — 2 Occ. σκανδαλισθήσεσθε — 2 Occ. σκανδαλισθήσομαι — 1 Occ. σκανδαλισθήσονται — 3 Occ. σκανδαλισθῆτε — 1 Occ. σκανδαλίζῃ — 3 Occ. σκανδαλίζει — 6 Occ. σκανδαλίζεται — 2 Occ. σκανδαλίζονται — 1 Occ.
|