προσκόπτω (proskoptō)
proskoptō
to strike
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb proskoptō describes the physical act of striking one’s foot against an obstacle, resulting in a stumble or fall. In the Gospels, Jesus uses this concrete image to describe spiritual danger, such as when He warns that the devil will quote Scripture to make Him "strike his foot against a stone" (Luke 4:11). The word captures the sudden, involuntary nature of tripping over something hidden in the path.
Its theological weight lies in this transition from physical accident to spiritual failure. Paul applies it to those who stumble because they seek righteousness by works rather than faith (Romans 9:32), and Peter calls Christ a "stone of stumbling" for those who disobey (1 Peter 2:8). The term implies that the obstacle is fixed, but the fall results from human failure to navigate it correctly.
Translators often render this as "stumble," though some versions use "offend" when referring to taking offense at truth. The distinction highlights that the stumbling block is not merely an insult, but a genuine hazard that causes one to fall away from the right path. This usage connects everyday physical mishaps with serious spiritual consequences.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
This word paints a picture we all know: walking along a path, looking ahead, and suddenly catching your foot on a hidden rock. It is not a graceful failure, but a sudden trip caused by an obstacle you did not see or could not avoid. In the spiritual life, this image reminds us that our journey is not always smooth, and sometimes we encounter things that cause us to falter.
Scripture uses this physical stumble to describe deeper struggles. It can be a test of faith, like when Jesus was tempted to throw Himself down expecting angels to catch Him. Or it can be a warning about how we treat others, urging us not to create barriers that cause fellow believers to fall. The focus is rarely on the rock itself, but on the need for careful walking and humility.
When you feel like you are tripping over spiritual truths or struggling with doubt, remember that this word describes a momentary loss of footing, not a permanent end to the journey. It invites us to walk in the light, where obstacles become visible, and to rely on grace when our own strength fails.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he stumbles,2×
- You may strike2×
- stumbles1×
- stumble at1×
- beat1×
- They stumbled1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- προσέκοψαν2×
- προσκόψῃς2×
- προσκόπτει,2×
- προσκόπτουσιν1×
- προσκόπτει1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 4:6
and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and, ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you don’t dash your foot against a stone.’”
The devil uses this image to tempt Jesus into testing God’s protection, twisting Scripture to suggest a miraculous rescue from a self-inflicted fall.
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Romans 9:32
Why? Because they didn’t seek it by faith, but as it were by works of the law. They stumbled over the stumbling stone,
Paul explains that Israel stumbled over Christ because they pursued righteousness through their own efforts rather than trusting in God’s provision.
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John 11:9
Jesus answered, “Aren’t there twelve hours of daylight? If a man walks in the day, he doesn’t stumble, because he sees the light of this world.
Jesus contrasts walking in daylight with stumbling in darkness, using the word to illustrate the safety found in following His guidance.