Jesus Christ is referred to as a “rock of offense” in 1 Peter 2:8. This phrase means that Jesus and his message can be offensive or cause people to stumble. However, this rock imagery also conveys Jesus’ firmness, reliability and unchanging nature. Here is an explanation of the key aspects of how and why Jesus is a “rock of offense”:
1. Jesus’ Claims of Divinity and Authority Offended People
During his earthly ministry, Jesus made bold claims that he was the divine Son of God and Messiah that the Old Testament prophets foretold (Matthew 16:16-17, Mark 14:61-64, John 8:58). Jesus also claimed to have authority to forgive sins (Mark 2:5-12) and stated he was greater than the temple, the Sabbath and prophets like Jonah (Matthew 12:6-8, 41-42). These were radical claims in Jesus’ day that offended Jewish religious leaders who did not accept Jesus’ divinity. Jesus was asserting equality with God, which they viewed as blasphemous.
Jesus also offended the religious elites by criticizing their hypocrisy, pride and manmade traditions (Matthew 23, Mark 7:1-23). He further provoked them by welcoming and eating with “tax collectors and sinners” which went against the cultural norms of that time (Mark 2:16). In claiming such authority and acting in these ways, Jesus was a “rock of offense” to those who clung tightly to their power, status and traditions.
2. Jesus’ Teachings Caused Many to Stumble and Reject Him
In addition to his claims and actions, Jesus’ actual teachings also turned many people away. Though Jesus preached about love, forgiveness and salvation, he made radical demands like giving up everything to follow him (Luke 14:33). He said wealthy people would hardly enter God’s kingdom (Mark 10:23-25). He called people to repent and humble themselves like children (Matthew 18:3-4). Jesus told them to love enemies, turn the other cheek and endure persecution (Matthew 5:10-12, 38-48). These countercultural teachings cost him followers.
Jesus also divided people in how he related to marginalized groups. Tax collectors, prostitutes and other “undesirables” were drawn to Jesus while elites were offended (Matthew 21:31-32). Overall, the radical nature of Jesus’ messages caused many to stumble and reject him. As Acts 13:41 says, “Look, you scoffers, marvel and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will never believe…” Jesus as the cornerstone and rock of offense resulted in rising and falling for people (Luke 2:34).
3. Jesus’ Death by Crucifixion Was a Stumbling Block
In 1 Corinthians 1:23, Paul states “…but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles.” For Jewish people of that time, a Messiah dying on a cross at the hands of Gentiles was unthinkable. They expected a conquering political savior, not one crucified as a criminal. Gentiles also considered the idea nonsense that a god could be crucified. So Jesus’ very death became a major point of offense and rejection for Jews and Gentiles in Corinth.
The book of Galatians also addresses this. Galatians 5:11 states “But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.” The “offense of the cross” shows how radical Jesus’ substitutionary death was for sinful humanity. It offended religious sensibilities. So the cross is key to Jesus being a rock of offense.
4. Jesus Continues to Be an Offense and Cause for Stumbling
For many people today, Jesus continues to offend and present a stumbling block. Whether it’s his audacious claims to be God, his challenging call to follow him completely or his unapologetic stance on issues like sin – Jesus still rubs people the wrong way. A Jesus who says he is the only way to salvation grates against modern pluralism (John 14:6). His purity is a rebuke to the immorality of the age.
Additionally, some paint Jesus as endorsing their own agendas and beliefs. But the real Jesus stands apart from human political ideologies and moral relativism. As Hebrews 4:12 says, Jesus is “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.” Jesus divides by exposing inner thoughts and intents. For many, he remains offensive precisely because he is supreme over everything. Jesus declared that no one comes to the Father except through him (John 14:6). Such an exclusive claim in today’s relativistic culture is bitterly divisive.
5. The Offense of Jesus Can Lead to Salvation or Judgment
This “rock of offense” results in different outcomes for people. For some, their very offense can open eyes to eventually see Jesus as Savior. His challenging words break down pride over time. But for others, constant rejection results in a hardened heart. So Jesus as the cornerstone lays bare the condition of each person’s heart.
Those positioned in pride and self-reliance inevitably stumble over Jesus. But as 1 Peter 2:4 states, “As you come to him, a living stone, rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious…” So Jesus remains the cornerstone for those humble enough to come to him. Believers experience sanctifying offense at Jesus’ words. But willful unbelievers come under judgment for rejecting the Cornerstone (Matthew 21:44).
6. Jesus as the Rock of Offense Aligns With Biblical Imagery
This depiction of Jesus as something solid and unmoving that causes offense also fits other scriptural rock metaphors. 1 Corinthians 10:4, for example, identifies Christ as the spiritual “rock” that accompanied Israel. Psalm 18:2 further describes the Lord as “my rock, my fortress and my deliverer.” So the offense brought about by Jesus aligns with the imagery of him as a massive, immovable stone.
Matthew 7:24-27 presents Jesus (and his words) as the solid rock foundation on which to build a life. Those rejecting Christ essentially build on sinking sand. So Jesus as the bedrock of truth remains long after taking temporary offense. Even Peter, initially offended at Christ’s destiny, later identifies Jesus as the “living stone” and “chief cornerstone” on which God builds his church (1 Peter 2:4-8).
7. The Offense of the Cross Brought Glory to Jesus
This rock imagery also conveys how the very thing that was temporarily offensive – the cross – actually brought the greatest glory to Jesus. As John 12:23-24 states: “…The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” Just as Jesus’ death appeared defeat but brought victory, so too the offense of the cross ultimately showed Christ’s glory.
What the world called weakness, God revealed as ultimate strength at the resurrection. This theme continues today as the offense of the gospel produces life-change in humble believers. The cross’s scandal softens hard hearts over time. Even in its perceived foolishness, the cross expresses “the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16). The rock of offense produced an enduring foundation of faith.
8. Do Not Be Offended in Christ Like the Pharisees Were
Since Jesus brings offense to the proud but blessings to the humble, believers must examine themselves. The example of the Pharisees is a warning. Though knowledgeable about the Scriptures, they stumbled over Christ as an obstacle (Romans 9:32). Their pride blinded them to seeing Jesus as Savior and Lord.
Though Jesus may confront and challenge our human assumptions, he does so for our growth. We too must beware of being offended in Christ. As John writes, “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us…” (1 John 2:18-19). So we must keep believing in Christ, even when our faith is tested and offense comes.
9. Jesus as the Capstone Brings Meaning to Scripture
Jesus being the rock of offense also connects to imagery elsewhere about him as the “capstone” or “cornerstone.” Passages like Psalm 118:22 and Matthew 21:42 speak of the stone being rejected then becoming the head of the corner. Just as a capstone brings symmetry and holds large structures together, so Christ brings meaning to all Scripture. What seems an outlier offense instead becomes the unifying center.
From Genesis to Revelation, Christ’s death and resurrection for sinful humanity gives the Bible cohesion. The very one rejected actually fulfilled it all. This aligns with Luke 24:44-47 where Jesus opened the disciples’ minds to understand the Scriptures. All the texts find their significance in him. The rock of offense supports the whole biblical structure.
10. The Offense of Christ Should Not Disqualify Him
Ultimately, believers must accept the Bible’s indictment that “they stumbled over the stumbling stone” (Romans 9:32). But his offensiveness to human pride should not disqualify Jesus in our estimation. Rather, we should marvel at God’s wisdom in using the “folly” of the cross confound the world (1 Corinthians 1:20-25).
What looks like weakness from man’s limited perspective is actually the power of God unto salvation for all who believe (1 Corinthians 1:18). Offense and rejection by some will always accompany Christ. But as Paul wrote: “…a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to them; yet to those who believe, He is precious” (1 Peter 2:7-8). Our faith then rests on him as the living Stone who makes us living stones (1 Peter 2:4-5).