Luke 7:23 - John's Inquiry

Blessed is the one
The term "blessed" in biblical context often refers to a state of spiritual well-being and prosperity. It implies divine favor and happiness. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses "blessed" to describe those who are in right standing with God (Matthew 5:3-12). This phrase sets the tone for a promise of spiritual reward for those who remain steadfast in their faith.

who does not fall away
The phrase "fall away" suggests a stumbling or turning away from faith. In the parable of the sower, Jesus describes how some fall away when faced with trials or persecution (Luke 8:13). This warning is echoed in Hebrews 3:12, which cautions against an unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. The concept of falling away is a reminder of the challenges believers face and the importance of perseverance.

on account of Me.”
This phrase highlights the centrality of Jesus in the faith journey. The potential to fall away "on account of Me" underscores the divisive nature of Jesus' ministry and message. In John 6:66, many disciples turned back and no longer followed Him due to the difficulty of His teachings. Jesus' identity and mission were often misunderstood or rejected, as prophesied in Isaiah 8:14-15, where He is described as a stone of stumbling. This phrase calls believers to remain faithful despite challenges or misunderstandings related to Jesus' identity and teachings.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jesus Christ
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is addressing the crowd and indirectly responding to John the Baptist's inquiry about His messianic identity.

2. John the Baptist
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, John is the one who sent messengers to Jesus, questioning if He is the expected Messiah.

3. The Disciples of John
They are the messengers sent by John to ask Jesus if He is the one to come or if they should expect someone else.

4. The Crowd
The people who were present when Jesus made this statement, witnessing His miracles and teachings.

5. The Miracles of Jesus
The context of this verse includes Jesus performing miracles, which serve as evidence of His messianic role.

Teaching Points

Understanding the Blessing
The term "blessed" (Greek: makarios) implies a state of spiritual well-being and joy. Jesus pronounces a blessing on those who maintain their faith in Him despite challenges or doubts.

Avoiding Spiritual Stumbling
The phrase "fall away" (Greek: skandaliz?) means to be offended or to stumble. Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in their faith, even when Jesus' ways or teachings are difficult to understand.

Faith Amidst Doubt
Like John the Baptist, believers may experience moments of doubt. Jesus' response encourages us to seek understanding and reassurance through His works and words.

The Role of Miracles
Jesus' miracles serve as a testament to His divine authority and messianic identity. They are meant to strengthen faith, not just to amaze.

Endurance in Faith
The blessing is for those who endure in their faith journey, trusting in Jesus' identity and mission, even when circumstances are challenging.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from Luke 7Why does Jesus deny some who call him 'Lord'?Luke 7:19–23 – Why would John the Baptist doubt Jesus if he had already proclaimed him as the Messiah, and how does this align with other gospel accounts? Ecclesiastes 9:7 emphasizes enjoyment of life; does this contradict New Testament calls for self-denial and sacrifice?Can you heal yourself, doctor?

Verse 23. - And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. Our Lord here shows that he understood that this question came from the Baptist himself. Dean Plumptre calls attention to the tender way in which our Lord dealt with the impatience which John's question implied. "A warning was needed, but it was given in the form of a beatitude, which it was still open to him to claim and make his own. Not to find a stumbling-block in the manner in which Christ had actually come, there was this condition of entering fully into the blessedness of his kingdom." Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

Blessed
μακάριός (makarios)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3107: Happy, blessed, to be envied. A prolonged form of the poetical makar; supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off.

is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

the [one who]
ὃς (hos)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

does not fall away
σκανδαλισθῇ (skandalisthē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4624: From skandalon; to entrap, i.e. Trip up (transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure).

on account of
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

Me.”
ἐμοί (emoi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

Links

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Luke 7:23 Catholic BibleNT Gospels: Luke 7:23 Blessed is he who is not offended (Luke Lu Lk)