Blessed
is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.
Matthew 11:6
Matthew 11 [1.] When Jesus had finished directing his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and preach in their cities. Now when John heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to him, “Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?”
Matthew 11 [4.] Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.”
Matthew 11 [7.] As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in king’s houses. But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ Most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
Meaning:
John the Baptist, in prison, had sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?” (Matthew 11:1-3). Jesus answered by pointing to his works: the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the poor hear good news (Matthew 11:4-5). He ends his reply with this beatitude, a gentle word for John and a challenge for everyone.
- “Blessed is he”
Jesus began the Sermon on the Mount with a series of blessings (Matthew 5:3-12). Here is another. “Blessed” describes the happy state of a person who stands in God’s favour. The blessing is not for those who never have questions, but for those who keep trusting Jesus when he does not act as they expected.
- “who finds no occasion for stumbling in me”
The word for stumbling describes a trap or an obstacle that makes someone fall. People stumbled over Jesus because he did not fit their expectations. In his home town, “They were offended by him” (Matthew 13:57). Isaiah had foretold that God himself would be a stone over which many in Israel would trip: “Many will stumble over it, fall, be broken” (Isaiah 8:15). Peter applies this to Jesus, who is “a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense” to those who disobey the word (1 Peter 2:7-8).
For John the danger was disappointment. He had preached a Messiah of fire and judgment, yet Jesus was showing mercy, and John remained in prison. Jesus does not rebuke him harshly. He invites him to trust that the Scriptures were being fulfilled, even if not in the way John had imagined. The greatest stumbling block was still to come: a crucified Messiah, “a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks” (1 Corinthians 1:23).
The Significance of Matthew 11:6
- Trusting when Jesus surprises us
Jesus does not always answer prayers or lead his people in the way they expect. Unanswered questions and suffering can tempt believers to give up. Jesus calls them blessed who keep trusting him.
- Looking at the evidence
Jesus answered John’s doubt with facts: his works and the Scriptures they fulfilled. When faith is shaken, it helps to look again at what Jesus has done and what God has promised.
Cross-References:
1 Peter 2:8: "a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." Jesus as the stone over which many stumble.
1 Corinthians 1:23: "but we preach Christ crucified; a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks," The offence of the cross.
Matthew 11:5: "the blind receive their sight, the lame walk," The works that answered John’s question.
Conclusion: Jesus answered John’s question by pointing to his works and adding, “Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.” Many stumbled over Jesus because he did not match their expectations. Those who keep trusting him, even through disappointment and unanswered questions, are truly blessed.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible