What Does Matthew 15:12 Mean in the King James?
Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Here, “offended” carries the image of a stumble: what Jesus says becomes the place where the hearer’s footing falters.
THE MEANING
The verse makes a present reaction visible: a saying can become a stumbling point for the people who hear it. The disciples ask whether Jesus perceives that the Pharisees take offense at what he has said. Their question places the hearer’s response beside the saying itself.
THE ROOT
ἐσκανδαλίσθησαν
eskandalisthēsan
GROWS FROM
σκάνδαλον
skándalon
A snare or stumbling block; the related verb σκандαλίζω (skandalizō) means to cause to stumble or take offense.
The KJV’s “offended” preserves the reaction, while the Greek verb also carries the image of stumbling. That image shifts attention from hurt feelings alone to the way what is heard can unsettle a person’s footing, without deciding from this verse alone why the Pharisees react as they do.
ALSO GROWS
skándalon: Snare; stumbling block.
σκάνδαλον
The saying becomes a point of stumbling in the hearers’ response.
skandalizō: Cause to stumble; take offense.
σκανδαλίζω
This is the verb family behind “were offended,” linking offense with the loss of footing.
γινώσκεις
ginōskeis
GROWS FROM
γινώσκω
ginōskō
To know or perceive.
“Knowest thou” in this verse is ginōskeis. The disciples ask whether Jesus perceives the Pharisees’ reaction. The question brings that response into view as something to be noticed alongside the saying that prompted it.
ALSO GROWS
ginōskō: Know; perceive.
γινώσκω
This is the verb used in the disciples’ question.
epiginōskō: Recognize; come to know.
ἐπιγινώσκω
The related form emphasizes recognition, echoing the question of whether the reaction is perceived.
THE PATTERN
What is a sanctuary and foundation to one hearer can become a stumbling point to another, revealing how the encounter is received.
And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.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.THE THREAD
And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.Matthew uses the same skandalizō word family when naming the possibility of stumbling over Jesus. Beside this verse, it shows that offense can arise at the encounter with Jesus himself, not only at a particular saying.
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