Something or someone that leads a person to sin or causes others to be upset.
About Stumbling Block (Figurative)
Term used both literally and figuratively to refer to anything that might cause one to stumble.
The phrase is used literally in Leviticus 19:14, where the people of Israel are admonished not to “put a stumbling block before the blind,” but to “fear the Lord your God.” An isolated figurative use occurs in Jeremiah 6:21, where God promises to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel if they do not heed his warnings.
Key References
Woe to the world for the causes of sin. These stumbling blocks must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!
Jesus said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks will come, but woe to the one through whom they come!
Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone,
and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed.
All Scripture References (15)
Matthew (3)
The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will weed out of His kingdom every cause of sin and all who practice lawlessness.
But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
Woe to the world for the causes of sin. These stumbling blocks must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!
Luke (1)
Jesus said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks will come, but woe to the one through whom they come!
Romans (5)
as it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”
Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.
Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them.
Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone,
Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to let his eating be a stumbling block.
1 Corinthians (2)
but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
Galatians (1)
Now, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.
1 Peter (1)
and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed.
1 John (1)
Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling in him.
Revelation (1)
But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.