"pr. a trap-spring; also genr. a stumbling block, anything against which one stumbles, an impediment; met. a cause of ruin, destruction, misery, etc., Rom. 9:33; 11:9; 1 Pet. 2:8; a cause or occasion of sinning, Mt. 16:23; 18:7 (3x); Lk. 17:1; Rom. 14:13; 16:17; Rev. 2:14; scandal..."
Definition and meaning
pr. a trap-spring; also genr. a stumbling block, anything against which one stumbles, an impediment; met. a cause of ruin, destruction, misery, etc., Rom. 9:33; 11:9; 1 Pet. 2:8; a cause or occasion of sinning, Mt. 16:23; 18:7 (3x); Lk. 17:1; Rom. 14:13; 16:17; Rev. 2:14; scandal, offense, cause of indignation, Mt. 13:41; 1 Cor. 1:23; Gal. 5:11; 1 Jn. 2:10*
In the original Greek the word is written: σκάνδαλον
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of skandalon (G4625) across the King James Bible.
The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
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Common questions
Strong's G4625 (skandalon) is a Greek word that means: pr. a trap-spring; also genr. a stumbling block, anything against which one stumbles, an impediment; met. a cause of ruin, destruction, misery, etc., Rom. 9:33; 11:9; 1 Pet. 2:8; a cause or occasion o... It appears 11 times in the King James Bible.
The word skandalon (G4625) appears 11 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4625 is skandalon, a Greek word defined as: pr. a trap-spring; also genr. a stumbling block, anything against which one stumbles, an impediment; met. a cause of ruin, destruction, misery, etc., . James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
skandalon is a Greek word found in the New Testament.