Luke 7:23

And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

Luke 7:23 (KJV)

Context

Jesus spoke these words in reply to messengers sent by John the Baptist. John, then in prison, had asked whether Jesus was the promised Messiah or whether another should be expected. Jesus did not answer with a direct yes or no. Instead, He pointed to what was happening in His ministry: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news preached to them. Luke 7:23 then pronounces a blessing on the one who is not offended in Him.

Meaning

The Greek word translated “offended” means to stumble, to take offense, or to be caused to fall. To be offended in Jesus is to stumble over who He is or what He does—to let doubt, misunderstanding, or unmet expectations become a reason for rejecting Him. Jesus declares that the person who does not stumble over Him is blessed. Being blessed means experiencing God’s favor, approval, and spiritual well-being. It is a state of deep joy and contentment that comes from aligning with God’s will.

The blessing is for those who trust Jesus even when His identity or methods are unexpected. John’s own disciples had questions, and Jesus’ humble appearance, His association with the poor and sinners, and the unexpected nature of His kingdom could all become stumbling blocks. The verse warns against letting such things cause us to fall away from faith.

Application

This verse calls every believer to remain steadfast in faith, even when doubts arise or when God’s ways do not match our expectations. It encourages us to trust Jesus, accept Him as Lord and Saviour, and not allow anything—whether personal bias, worldly expectations, or difficult circumstances—to cause us to stumble in our walk with Him.

Reflection

Blessed are those who, like the poor and the outcasts who received Jesus, do not turn away because He does not fit their mold. May we examine our own hearts for any offense we may hold against Him, and choose instead to rest in the joy of knowing and following the Messiah.