σκάνδαλον (skandalon)
skandalon
stumbling block
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 13 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek noun skandalon originally referred to the trigger stick or bait-stick of a trap, essentially the part that causes a snare to spring. In the New Testament, this concrete image is used figuratively to describe anything that causes a person to stumble, fall into error, or be entrapped in sin. It appears thirteen times across the Bible, with significant usage in Matthew’s Gospel, Paul’s letters to the Romans and Corinthians, and Revelation.
The word carries a heavy theological weight when applied to Jesus Christ himself. In passages like 1 Corinthians 1:23, Paul describes the crucified Christ as a "stumbling block" to Jews, because a suffering Messiah contradicted their expectations of political power. Similarly, in Matthew 16:23, Peter’s attempt to dissuade Jesus from his fate earns him the rebuke of being a skandalon, an obstacle standing in the way of God’s redemptive plan.
While often translated simply as "stumbling block," the term implies more than just tripping over a rock; it suggests a deliberate trap or impediment that leads to spiritual ruin. This nuance is visible in Matthew 18:7, where Jesus warns that such causes of stumbling are inevitable but lamentable, and in Romans 14:13, where believers are urged not to place obstacles in each other’s paths that might cause a weaker conscience to fall.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word skandalon originally described the sensitive trigger stick in an animal trap. In Scripture, it moves from that concrete image to describe anything that causes a person to fall away from faith or stumble into sin. It is not merely a tripping hazard but a deliberate impediment designed to catch and ensnare. This heavy imagery reminds us that our actions can have serious spiritual consequences for others.
Jesus uses this term with deep sorrow in Matthew 18:7, warning that causing someone to stumble brings woe upon the one who does it. Yet the word also finds a surprising application in 1 Corinthians 1:23, where Paul calls Christ Himself a stumbling block to many. The cross contradicts human expectations of power and glory, forcing us to choose between our own understanding and God’s way of salvation.
Understanding this word invites us to examine how we interact with those who are weaker in faith. Romans 14:13 urges believers not to place obstacles in each other’s paths. Instead of judging others or creating divisions, we are called to build up the community. This means being careful that our freedom or opinions do not become traps for those still growing in their walk with God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- offense2×
- of offense,2×
- a stumbling block2×
- stumbling blocks,1×
- stumbling blocks1×
- snare.1×
- obstacles1×
- causes of sin;1×
- causes of sin1×
- cause for stumbling1×
- a snare1×
- A stumbling block1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- σκάνδαλον7×
- σκάνδαλα3×
- σκανδάλου,2×
- σκάνδαλον.¶1×
- σκάνδαλα,1×
- σκανδάλων·1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 16:23
But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of men.”
Jesus identifies Peter’s human-centered perspective as a skandalon, showing that even well-meaning advice can oppose God’s redemptive plan if it ignores the cross.
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I Corinthians 1:23
but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Greeks,
Paul describes the crucified Christ as a stumbling block to Jews, highlighting how the gospel challenges cultural expectations of a powerful Messiah.
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Romans 14:13
Therefore let’s not judge one another any more, but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block in his brother’s way, or an occasion for falling.
This verse applies the term to interpersonal relationships, urging believers not to let their actions cause a fellow Christian to fall into sin or doubt.
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Matthew 18:7
“Woe to the world because of occasions of stumbling! For it must be that the occasions come, but woe to that person through whom the occasion comes!
Jesus laments that causes of stumbling are inevitable but pronounces woe on those who actively lead others into error, emphasizing the seriousness of spiritual influence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the original meaning of skandalon?
Why is Christ called a stumbling block in 1 Corinthians 1:23?
How does this word apply to Christian relationships?
Every Occurrence (13 verses across 8 books)
Matthew 3 verses
The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his Kingdom all things that cause stumbling and…
Matthew 16:23But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not setting your…
Matthew 18:7“Woe to the world because of occasions of stumbling! For it must be that the occasions come, but woe to that person…