In Matthew 11:6, Jesus says something that might be confusing.

“Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

Matthew 11:6 (NIV)

Other Bible translations use the word “offended” instead of stumble, which doesn’t clear up any confusion. What did Jesus mean in Matthew 11:6?

Let’s examine the context of Matthew 11:6.

When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

Matthew 11:2-3 (NIV)

The context of Matthew 11:6 centers around John the Baptist, who is in prison and sends his disciples to Jesus to ask him if he’s the Messiah or not. Considering that John had already proclaimed Jesus the Messiah in Matthew 3, it’s a wonder that John would be questioning Jesus’ identity now. Still, if we consider that John is in prison and could be executed any day, it makes sense that John might have some questions. 

John’s questions stemmed from a Jewish understanding that the Messiah would deliver their people from their enemies. Indeed, the Jews expected someone to drive out the Romans. Thus, when John hadn’t seen Jesus do anything that he expected him to do, he sent his disciples to ask him if he was really the Messiah. Hence, Jesus’ response.

Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy b are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.

Matthew 11:4-5 (NIV)

No one could do the things Jesus was doing unless he was from God (cf. John 3:2). Jesus gave us this insight. 

“But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”

John 10:38 (NIV)

Thus, Jesus’ reply to John pointed out the works he was doing as his “answer” that he was the Messiah. Therefore, what Jesus said in Matthew 11:6 means that anyone who believes Jesus is who he says he is, even when he’s not doing what they expected, is blessed because they are walking in faith. 

What Jesus said then is still true today. Sometimes, God doesn’t do the things we expect him to do, and it can be discouraging. However, when we place our faith and trust in him, regardless of how things look or we think, we are blessed because we walk by faith and not sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).