σκάνδαλον

σκάνδαλον, ου, τό (s. σκανδαλίζω; non-bibl. pap; PLond 1338, 25; 1339, 10 [both 709 A.D.]; LXX, Aq., Sym., Theod.; PsSol 4:23 [but not in Test12Patr, EpArist, Philo, Joseph., apolog.], then Christian wr. Later word for σκανδάληθρον [Aristoph. et al.]; s. Hesych. and Phot. s.v.).

① a device for catching someth. alive, trap (PCairZen 608, 7 [III B.C.], where written σκάνδαδον) w. παγίς, used metaph. (Josh 23:13; Ps 140:9; 1 Macc 5:4; Is 8:14 Sym. and Theod.) Ro 11:9 (Ps 68:23). σκ. ἐν αὐτῷ οὐκ ἔστιν in such a pers. there is no reason for falling i.e., as the next vs. indicates, the pers. can see what lies along the path 1J 2:10 (Moffatt ‘no pitfall’; s. AVicentCernuda, EstBîbl 27, ’68, 153–75, 215–32); but s. 3.

② an action or circumstance that leads one to act contrary to a proper course of action or set of beliefs, temptation to sin, enticement to apostasy, false belief, etc., fig. ext. of 1 (Ezk 7:19 Aq. and Sym.; Wsd 14:11) Mt 18:7abc; Lk 17:1; B 4:9. τὸ τέλειον σκ. the final temptation 4:3. βαλεῖν σκάνδαλον ἐνώπιον τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ entice the sons of Israel to sin Rv 2:14. σκάνδαλα ποιεῖν bring about temptations (to sin) Ro 16:17. τιθέναι τινὶ σκάνδαλον put a temptation in someone’s way 14:13 (on τιθέναι σκ. cp. Jdth 5:1); in place of the dat. κατά τινος 1 Cl 35:8 (Ps 49:20).—Also of persons (PsSol 4:23; 1 Macc 5:4): Jesus censures Peter, as Satan σκάνδαλον εἶ ἐμοῦ you are tempting me to sin Mt 16:23. In ἀπεχόμενοι σκανδάλων καὶ τῶν ψευδαδέλφων κτλ. Pol 6:3, σκ. is prob. best taken as one who tempts others to sin (cp. Pistis Sophia 105; 106 [p. 173–75 CSchmidt] ὡς σκάνδαλον καὶ ὡς παραβάτης; AcJ 64 [Aa II/1 p. 182, 14f] of a woman ἡ σκάνδαλον γενομένη ἀνδρί; 79 [p. 190, 11]).—To those who cannot come to a decision to believe on him, Jesus is a σκάνδαλον (σκανδαλίζω 1b). In line w. OT imagery (Is 8:14, where Aq., Sym., Theod.—in contrast to the LXX—have our word) Jesus is called πέτρα σκανδάλου Ro 9:33; 1 Pt 2:8 (on the relation of these two passages to each other s. RHarris, Testimonies I 1916, 18f; 26f).

③ that which causes offense or revulsion and results in opposition, disapproval, or hostility, fault, stain etc. (Sir 7:6; 27:23). σκ. ἐν αὐτῷ οὐκ ἔστιν in him there is no stain or fault 1J 2:10 (cp. Jdth 5:20); but s. 1. Of the cross ὅ ἐστιν σκάνδαλον τοῖς ἀπιστοῦσιν which is revolting to those who have no faith IEph 18:1. The crucified Christ is a σκ. to Judeans 1 Cor 1:23. τὸ σκάνδαλον τοῦ σταυροῦ the stumbling-block of the cross, i.e. that which, in the preaching about the cross, arouses opposition Gal 5:11. συλλέξουσιν ἐκ τῆς βασιλείας αὐτοῦ πάντα τὰ σκ. they will gather out of his kingdom everything that is offensive Mt 13:41 (this interpr., which refers τὰ σκ. to things, would correspond to the scripture passage basic to this one, i.e. Zeph 1:3, where Sym. has our word in the combination τὰ σκάνδαλα σὺν [τοῖς] ἀσεβέσι. But the fact that Mt continues w. καὶ τοὺς ποιοῦντας τὴν ἀνομίαν could require us to take τὰ σκ. to mean persons; s. 2 above).—To bibl. in TW add RKnox, Trials of a Translator ’49, 66–73; AHumbert, Biblica 35, ’54, 1–28 (synoptics).—DELG. M-M. DBS XII 49–66. EDNT. TW. Sv.