Mark 6:3
Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The Nazarenes focus on Jesus' earthly occupation and family connections, completely missing the divine power and wisdom evident in His teachings and miracles. Their familiarity with Him as "the carpenter" blinded them to His identity as the Son of God, turning what should have been awe into offense.
Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth and teaches in the synagogue, amazing the crowd with his wisdom. However, their familiarity with him as the local carpenter and the son of Mary leads them to dismiss his authority and teaching. This rejection makes it difficult for Jesus to perform miracles there, as their disbelief acts as a barrier.
Jesus' hometown folks knew him as one of them. They recognized his family, his upbringing, and even his trade. What happens when the divine shows up in the ordinary?
The people of Nazareth knew Jesus from his childhood. They recognized him as "the carpenter," the son of Mary, and knew his brothers and sisters by name. This familiarity was a major hurdle for them.
The Danger of Low Expectations
The text says they "took offense." What does it really mean to be offended by Jesus, and is it something that just happens to us, or is it a decision we make?
The word "offended" here is powerful. It’s not just a mild feeling of being put off; it signifies a deliberate rejection based on a negative judgment.
The Root of Rejection
Understand the original words
tekton · Greek Noun
Refers to a skilled worker in wood, stone, or metal. Culturally, it implies manual labor, placing Jesus in the common class of society and highlighting the mystery of His divine authority coming from a humble earthly background.
skandalizō · Greek Verb
A stumbling block or a cause for indignation; it describes a reaction of disbelief and rejection that prevents someone from accepting the truth or the person presenting it.
The familiarity of Jesus' neighbors with his humble upbringing and family life prevented them from recognizing his divine authority, demonstrating how deeply ingrained perceptions can block spiritual understanding.
c. 4 BC - AD 6— this verse
Jesus' Childhood in Nazareth
Jesus grows up in Nazareth, learning a trade, likely carpentry, from Joseph and living with his family.
c. AD 27-28
Jesus Begins Public Ministry
Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist and begins to preach and perform miracles throughout Galilee.
c. AD 28
Jesus Returns to Nazareth
Jesus visits his hometown of Nazareth, teaching in the synagogue and being met with disbelief and offense.
Jesus himself states the proverb, 'A prophet is without honor except in his own country, in his own nation, and in his own house,' directly addressing the rejection he faced from his hometown.
Matthew 13:55-57This parallel passage in Matthew also highlights the hometown crowd's disbelief, focusing on their astonishment that Jesus, whom they knew from his childhood, could possess such wisdom and perform miracles, leading them to take offense.
Isaiah 53:2-3This prophecy describes the suffering servant who 'had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him,' reflecting the humble earthly appearance of Jesus that led many, like the Nazarenes, to dismiss him.
1 Corinthians 1:23Paul speaks of Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, which resonates with how the Nazarenes, knowing Jesus' humble background, found it difficult to accept his divine authority and message.
calvinMark 6:1-6: "And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him."
- And it happened, when Jesus had concluded these discourses, [342] that he departed thence. 54. And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were amazed, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom and these miracles? 55. Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brothers James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? 56.…
ellicottMark 6:3: "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him."
(3) Is not this the carpenter ?—St. Mark’s is the only Gospel which gives this name as applied to our Lord Himself. (See Note on Matthew 13:55 .)
The Nazarenes focus on Jesus' earthly occupation and family connections, completely missing the divine power and wisdom evident in His teachings and miracles. Their familiarity with Him as "the carpenter" blinded them to His identity as the Son of God, turning what should have been awe into offense.
Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth and teaches in the synagogue, amazing the crowd with his wisdom. However, their familiarity with him as the local carpenter and the son of Mary leads them to dismiss his authority and teaching. This rejection makes it difficult for Jesus to perform miracles there, as their disbelief acts as a barrier.
Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth and teaches in the synagogue, amazing the crowd with his wisdom. However, their familiarity with him as the local carpenter and the son of Mary leads them to dismiss his authority and teaching. This rejection makes it difficult for Jesus to perform miracles there, as their disbelief acts as a barrier.
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"Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him." — The Nazarenes focus on Jesus' earthly occupation and family connections, completely missing the divine power and wisdom evident in His teachings and miracles. Their familiarity with Him as "the carpe…
