The concept of "stumbling at Christ" refers to the phenomenon where individuals encounter Jesus Christ and his teachings, yet reject or trip over them, often due to their own preconceptions or spiritual blindness. This theme is explored in various biblical passages, including Romans 9:32-33, where the Apostle Paul describes how the Israelites stumbled over the "stumbling stone" of Christ, and 1 Peter 2:8, which notes that Jesus is a stone of stumbling for those who disobey the word. As seen in Isaiah 8:14, Christ is also a rock of offense for both the houses of Israel, highlighting the complex and often paradoxical nature of faith, where the very source of salvation can also become a source of stumbling for those who refuse to accept it, as echoed in Matthew 21:44. Through these passages, the Bible underscores the importance of spiritual humility and openness in approaching the person and work of Jesus Christ.
John Gill expounds on 1 Peter 2:8, illustrating how Christ serves as a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to those who disbelieve, particularly the Jews who could not accept His humble origins and the nature of His ministry. He discusses their misconceptions about the Messiah's glory and power