[Greek] σκανδαλίζω (skandalizō), [Latin] scandalizare, [Latin] offendere, [French] huerter, [French] indigner, [German] shockieren

[Greek] σκανδαλίζω (skandalizō), [Latin] scandalizare, [Latin] offendere, [French] huerter, [French] indigner, [German] shockieren: to offend, to scandalize, to cause to sin, to stumble, to trip up, to be offended, to trap; 45 scriptural references

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 also later takes on the sense of a trap, obstacle, and stumbling block.

 

 

 

 

 

Greek Hellenism: This term, rarely used, means to set traps, to cause to stumble, to give offense, to take offense, and to stumble.

Aristophanes’ Acharnians 687: “The accuser, desirous of conciliating the younger men, overrules us with his ready rhetoric; he drags us before the judge, presses us with questions, and lays verbal traps for us.”

Epictetus: “If someone succeeds in provoking you, realize that your mind is complicit in this provocation.”

Old Testament: This term means to stumble, to slip, or be trapped in a spiritual context. The action of falling always takes on a more serious sense than the stumbling block. This action of falling results in a ruined relationship with God.

New Testament: This term means to cause one to sin, to take offense, to be offended, and to fall away. No offense, but I will just mention some noteworthy scriptural examples

Causing one to sin:

Mt. 5:29-30: Removing a body part causing sin is still less serious than total damnation (Gahenna)

Mt. 18:6: Causing a little one to sin is more serious than being thrown in the sea (with a millstone around one’s neck).

To take offense:

Mt.11:6: Blessed is the one who is not offended at Jesus

Mt.13:57: How can this carpenter we know can have some wisdom and do these mighty deeds?

Mt. 15:12: The elders were offended that Jesus called them hypocrites (favoring human traditions)

Jn.6:61: The disciples were offended (shocked) that Jesus would tell the disciples they must east His Flesh and drink His blood to have eternal life

To fall away:

Mt.13:21: The seed sown on rocky ground is like one whose faith falls away during difficulties

Mt.26:31: The disciples’ (sheep) faith will be shaken

Rom.14:21: It is not good to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes someone to stumble.

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 referenced to mousetraps and scandals.

Conclusion:

Scandal, scandalize, indignant, shock, shocking, hurt, offend, offensive

It is important to note that this term was not frequently used during the Greek Hellenist period. Perhaps, this notion of scandalizing was net yet fully conceived. It is quite interesting that Epictetus had already understood the notion of someone “living rent-free” in another person’s head.

In the New Testament, Jesus repeatedly points out the hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders. This in turn leads them to be increasingly antagonistic and offended by Jesus.

Jesus often speaks in hyperbolic terms (cutting of limbs and eyes) to illustrate the more serious consequences of sin.

A strong faith becomes all the more important when one experiences difficulties.

It also now requires courage to not be offended by Jesus.

It is important to note that Jesus did not try to convince His disciples to come back by saying, “Come back. I was only speaking figuratively about eating My Body and drinking My Blood!” The great and sad irony is that the Jews were forbidden to the drink the blood because of Jewish customs (the life is in the blood) [Deut. 12:23]. Yet this established Jewish restriction prohibited the Jews from partaking of His Blood (providing everlasting life). It is very interesting that at Jn.6:66, many of the disciples walked away. (Maybe the devil made them do it??)

It goes without saying that the culture continually redefines the meaning of words.

Update: For many of us, that Bridergton music still lives “rent-free” in our heads.

The same can be said for all those who continue to live with “Trump Derangement Syndrome”. 

The scandal is that slavery was once considered settled law in the United States. (This proves that settled law isn’t necessarily good law.)

Many are offended in that some candidates should not be allowed to run for office because of their political actions.

It is scandalous that protesters are targeting the Supreme Court justices. And many believe that this is permissible.

Many are offended that the Supreme Court would make a decision to overturn Roe vs Wade, a decision based on the law rather than public opinion.

Many teachers are offended that they cannot talk about sex and gender to their young students. Many parents are offended that teachers are allowed to do this.

Some protesters are so offended that they would resort to bombing pro-life facilities and disrupting church services.

Many are offended that a “Catholic” president would support abortion and pro-choice groups.

We continue to live in cancel culture world where many offend or are offended. These accusations thrown back and forth can be quite deafening. It is often very difficult to hold one’s peace. Silence can be very helpful. Yet there are times when keeping silent speaks volumes about one’s character and to say nothing about one’s motives. Others stay silent because they already may have said too much. Then there are those who can’t keep silent any more. Despite all this, it is often difficult to avoid the obstacles, traps and stumbling blocks along the way.

Next: The “sounds” and thoughts of silence