[Greek] σκανδαλίζω (skandalizō), [Latin] scandalizare, [Latin] offendere: to take offense, to be offended, to cease to believe, to set a trap, to fall into sin, to cause sin, to stumble, to get caught in a trap (snare); Mt.5:29,30, Mt.11:6, Mt.13:21,57, Mt.15:12, Mt.17:27, Mt.18:6,8-9, Mt.24:10, Mt.26:31,33, Mk.4:17, Mk.6:3, Mk.9:42,43,45,47, Mk.14:27,29, Lk.7:23, Lk.17:2, Jn.6:61, Jn.16:1, 1Cor.8:13, 2Cor.11:29
The ancient bait trap, snare, or dead-fall trap was called a skandalon.
Background information
Skandalon: A skandalon is essentially a dead-fall trap or snare. Meat or bait is secured on a stick to trap an animal. This term later takes on a metaphorical sense of falling in a trap (scandal). In addition, this term takes on the metaphorical sense of a stumbling block causing one to fall (or fail) in some activity. The related verb skandalizo makes reference to falling in a trap (snare) and stumbling.
Greek Hellenism: This term, rarely used, essentially means to set traps. Aristophanes’ Acharnians 687 makes a metaphorical reference of this term. The old veterans of Acharnai (in Athens) complain at length about the ungrateful treatment they receive from the young lawyers who take them to court. During cross examination, these lawyers set verbal traps for them, resulting in their conviction. These veterans have to use their life savings (for funeral expenses) to pay the fine. This story leads to a tragic conclusion.
Old Testament: This term, originally meaning to catch in a snare, now primarily means to stumble or slip in a spiritual context. The related noun, originally meaning stick, now primarily means obstacle, stumbling block, and cause for ruin. However, both of these terms still continue to convey a sense of a trap or getting caught in a trap. He shall enter the glorious land and many shall fall (Dan.11:41). Through his lips is the sinner ensnared; the railer and the arrogant man fall thereby (Sir.23:8). He who studies the law masters it, but the hypocrite finds it a trap (Sir.32:15). The way of the wicked is like darkness. They do not know over what they stumble (Prov.4:19). When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish before You (Psa.9:3). Therefore He humbled their hear with labor; they stumbled and there was none to help (Psa.107:12).
New Testament: This term means to stumble, to fall into sin, to cause to sin, to fall away, to take offense, and to offend, and to cease to believe (have one’s faith shaken). Interestingly, examples include mostly from Matthew’s and Mark’ gospel. Scriptures include parables, hyperboles, and Jesus’ statements. This term essentially means ruining or destroying one’s relationship with God. The references to Old Testament scriptures point to the fact that the eschatological temptation (fall) is already occurring. Jesus uses hyperboles and parables to illustrate the seriousness of falling into sin. The scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees, acting like scriptural gate-keepers often take offense at Jesus’ statements and actions. Even some disciples walk away when Jesus mentions that they must eat His Body and drink His Blood.
Scripture: (focusing on taking offense, being offended, being shocked)
“And blessed is the one who takes no offense at Me.” Mt.11:6
Jesus mentions that the time of salvation will be marked by healings and raising of the dead. Jesus tells John the Baptist’s followers that He is the one who will come after him.
“And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his home.” Mt.13:57
The people in Jesus’ native place Nazareth were astonished by Jesus’ wisdom and deeds. They could only see Jesus as Joseph’s and Mary’s son. Familiarity with Jesus’ background causes others to view Jesus as pretentious.
“Hear and understand. It is not that what enters one’s mouth that defiles the person; but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one. Then His disciples approached and said to Him, ‘Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?’” Mt.15:10-12
The Pharisees took offense at what Jesus said. The Pharisees defend the Law prescriptions of purity practices. Jesus makes a statement contradicting what the Law says. Jesus calls these Pharisees blind guides. Jesus states comes that what comes out of one’s heart is what defiles.
“Whoever eats My flesh and drinks my blood remains in Me and I in him…Since Jesus knew that His disciples were murmuring about this, He said to them, ‘Does this shock you?’” Mt.6:56,61
Many of the disciples became uncomfortable with Jesus’ words that they must eat His flesh and drink His blood. Jesus’ words were “offensive” to them. Some disciples walked away because of their lack of faith and understanding. These disciples did not understand what Jesus was saying. The disciples must probably thought that Jesus was referring to cannibalism.
Literature: The Catholic Douay-Rhims translation of the New Testament, published in 1582, caused quite a stir when it replaced the words “offend” and “stumbling block” with “scandalize” and “scandal.” Despite initial criticism, this terminology was accepted in the European continent accustomed to and familiar with scandals in many aspects of life. Medieval and Renaissance writers, including Shakespeare, quickly adopted these terms. Interestingly, Shakespeare’s play Hamlet makes references to mousetraps and scandals.
Social Media: We now live in an age where news, events, opinions, thoughts, and pictures can be instantaneously shared and transmitted. With this comes varying viewpoints, ideologies, and moral beliefs. These changing cultural, social, and religious values often clash, resulting in debates about what is considered socially acceptable. Issues concerning what is freedom of speech, hate speech, censorship, and what is considered offensive are coming to the forefront. Social media corporations are constantly confronting these issues with mixed results. These social media platforms (gatekeepers) have often been accused of using bias in filtering the transmission of information, often resulting in blocking or not blocking users.
Conclusion:
Offense, offence, scandalous, scandal, scandalize
To be honest, I had never heard of a skandalon being a trap or snare. In hindsight, this meaning make sense in light of its current meaning. I was surprised that this term was not frequently used in a non literal way. The Greek writer Aristophanes employs this term referring to lawyers setting verbal traps. Perhaps, this becomes the starting point for the unfavorable image of inscrupulous lawyers.
For the New Testament, I wanted to focus on the scriptural examples of being offended. Scandalizing also extends to man’s relationship with Jesus. The Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees were often offended by Jesus’ statements and actions. They perceived Jesus acting in contradiction to the Law and Jewish practices. Falling away in sin or faith takes on serious eschatological consequences. This is why Jesus often used hyperbolic language (drowning in the sea and cutting off a body part) to illustrate its serious consequences. It is important to note that Jesus did not try to convince His disciples to come back saying, “Come back. I was only speaking figuratively!” Jesus was speaking literally of His Body and Blood. The great sad irony is that the Jews could not drink (the blood) because the blood is life (Deut.12:23). This was an established Jewish restriction. Yet, Jesus was offering everlasting life through His blood. It is quite interesting to note that Jn.6:66 refers to many disciples walking away and returning to their former way of life.
Even some Church leaders are having to confront the realities of the changing definition of marriage. Many Church leaders often “stumble” in failing to defend the traditional definition of marriage for fear of being viewed as hateful or intolerant. The LGBTQ community is often offended when Christians (and Catholics) do not change their beliefs in order to accommodate them. Many Catholics are becoming upset as to why a Catholic president (who supports abortion) should be allowed to receive Communion. Many of us are upset about critical race theory being taught at various levels of government. Believing that you are not capable of accomplishing something because of others is very offensive.
The social media platforms have declared themselves as gate-keepers in the transmission of information and news. These social media gatekeepers have quite often been rightly accused of being biased, ignorant, and theologically “blind”, resulting in inconsistent and confusing actions. Social media platforms have often banned traditional Christian viewpoints (abortion, marriage, etc) deemed “offensive” to current social thinking. St. Mother Theresa’s statements about abortion: “Abortion is profoundly anti-woman” was ruled offensive on Twitter. It was only after the public outcry that this decision was reversed. We seem now to be living in a bizzaro post-Christian world in which oftentimes Christian views (which come from God) are deemed offensive. (Taking this to its logical conclusion, one must conclude that God is offensive!)
Then there all the unresolved issues about this past election.
Now these are things which we can really take offense at!