blessed
In prison, the King rejected, John's faith wavers; the Lord exhorts and encourages His servant. Cf. John 15:20 ; Isaiah 42:3 .
Context Summary
Matthew 11:1-10 - How Doubts May Be Solved
The Baptist was languishing in a gloomy dungeon in the castle of Machaerus, on the farther shores of the Dead Sea-like a wild creature of the desert, suddenly entrapped. The darkness of his cell depressed his spirit; it seemed strange, too, if Jesus were the Messiah, that He did not overthrow the tyrant rule of Herod and release His captive friend.
When you are in doubt, go straight to Jesus and ask Him to deal with it! Our Lord did not argue with the messengers sent by John, but pointed to the beneficent works that the Father had given Him to do. See John 5:36; also Isaiah 29:18; Isaiah 35:5-6. The influence of Christ on individuals and the world is the best testimony to the validity of His claims. The demonstration of Christianity is to be found in its acceptance and practice.
The disciples had gone before our Lord uttered this great eulogium on His faithful friend, lest he should be exalted beyond measure, and lest his faith should not have room to grow. Ah, downcast soul, who art writing hard things of thyself, it may be that thy merciful Lord is viewing thy life more accurately and estimating it more lovingly than thou knowest! [source]
Chapter Summary: Matthew 11
1John sends his disciples to Jesus 7Jesus' testimony concerning John 16The perverse judgment of the people concerning the Son 20Jesus upbraids Korazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum; 25and praising his Father's wisdom in revealing the Gospel to the simple, 28he calls to him those who are weary and burdened
Greek Commentary for Matthew 11:6
Whosoever shall find none occasion of stumbling in me [ος αν μη σκανδαλιστηι εν εμοι] Indefinite relative clause with first aorist passive subjunctive. This beatitude is a rebuke to John for his doubt even though in prison. Doubt is not a proof of superior intellect, scholarship, or piety. John was in the fog and that is the time not to make serious decisions. “In some way even the Baptist had found some occasion of stumbling in Jesus” (Plummer). [source]
Be offended [σκανδαλιοθῇ] See on Matthew 5:29. Rev., shall find none occasion of stumbling. Compare Wyc., shall not be slandered. [source]
What do the individual words in Matthew 11:6 mean?
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: σκανδαλίζω
Sense: to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way, upon which another may trip and fall, metaph. to offend.
Greek Commentary for Matthew 11:6
Indefinite relative clause with first aorist passive subjunctive. This beatitude is a rebuke to John for his doubt even though in prison. Doubt is not a proof of superior intellect, scholarship, or piety. John was in the fog and that is the time not to make serious decisions. “In some way even the Baptist had found some occasion of stumbling in Jesus” (Plummer). [source]
See on Matthew 5:29. Rev., shall find none occasion of stumbling. Compare Wyc., shall not be slandered. [source]