Matthew 24 - Part 16

We have arrived at verse 10 in our ongoing study of Matthew 24, which states: And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.  The question we want to bear in mind in our lesson is: Who are these that shall be offended, shall betray one another, and shall hate one another?

Be Offended [skandalizo:G4624]

Let’s consider the Greek verb, be offended first. Our English word, “scandalize” is derived from this Greek term, and it is always translated in the 30 times that it surfaces as some form of the term offend. The following illustrate some of the ways that God has chosen to employ this word:

Matthew 11:6 makes this important observation:  And blessed is [he], whosoever shall [skandalizo:G4624][G0] not be offended [skandalizo:G4624] in me. We know from other passages that those who are truly “blessed” in the Biblical sense of the word are God’s elect. And God’s elect are not offended as far as the truth of the Bible is concerned. Psalm 119:165 echoes this same principle: Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend [mikshowl:H4383] them. It’s rather interesting that this same Hebrew word (H4383) is also found in verse 14 of Isaiah 8:13-15 as of offence: Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and [let] him [be] your fear, and [let] him [be] your dread. {14} And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence [mikshowl:H4383] to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. {15} And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken. This passage is also quoted in the New Testament in Romans 9:31-33, But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. {32} Wherefore? Because [they sought it] not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; {33} As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence [skandalon:G4625]: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Please note that the term of offence in Romans 9:33, is the Greek noun, skandalon (G4625) which happens to be the root or parent word for shall be offended (skandalizo:G4624) in Matthew 24:10. 

Verse 17 of Mark 4:16-17 likewise asserts, and please note that the offence arises for the Word’s sake: And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; {17} And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. [skandalizo:G4624]. 

Shall Betray [paradidomi:G3860]

The second expression that we want to investigate in Matthew 24:10 is shall betray. One excellent example of its usage is found in John 6, in which the Lord Jesus tells His so-called disciples that to truly follow Him they have to eat his flesh and drink his blood. This was meant to be understood spiritually, but many of them did not grasp that as verse 64 of verses 60-64 maintain, in which this word is rendered as betray. We find the same word, offend in verse 61 as well: Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard [this], said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? {61} When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend [skandalizo:G4624] you? {62} [What] and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? {63} It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life. {64} But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray [paradidomi:G3860] him.

Lord willing, in our next study, we will continue our examination of verse 10.

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