Matthew 13:54-55
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The people of Nazareth are astonished, asking "Whence hath this man this wisdom and these mighty works?" But their amazement isn't a sign of faith; it's a veiled rejection, born from their familiarity with his humble origins, which makes them stumble over the divine power they witness. They're so caught up in who they think he is that they can't truly see what God is doing through him.
and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just finished teaching a series of parables to the crowds, explaining the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. He then travels to his hometown of Nazareth, where he enters a synagogue and begins to teach. The people there are astonished by his wisdom and the powerful deeds they've heard about or witnessed, but their familiarity with him as the local carpenter's son causes them to stumble and disbelieve.
Jesus returns to His hometown, Nazareth, and shares His wisdom. But instead of widespread belief, He encounters disbelief. Why is it so hard for those who knew Him best to accept Him?
When Jesus returned to Nazareth, the place where He grew up, the people were astonished by His teaching and miracles. They recognized Him as the carpenter's son, son of Mary, with known brothers and sisters. This familiarity, however, became a stumbling block. Instead of seeing God's power and wisdom working through Jesus, they got stuck on His humble earthly origins.
The Paradox of Proximity
The people of Nazareth were amazed by Jesus' wisdom and power, but this awe didn't lead them to faith. What's the difference between being impressed and being truly changed?
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The crowd in Nazareth experienced genuine astonishment. They heard Jesus' profound wisdom and witnessed His mighty works, and it left them speechless. Their question, 'Whence hath this man this wisdom and these mighty works?' shows they recognized something extraordinary was happening.
Amazement vs. Faith
Understand the original words
synagōgē · Greek Noun
The Jewish house of worship and study of the Torah. It was the central community hub for teaching and public reading of Scripture.
sophia · Greek Noun
Refers to deep intellectual or spiritual insight. In the Bible, it is often tied to the fear of the Lord and the ability to apply God’s truth to life’s circumstances.
dynamis · Greek Noun
Miraculous displays of divine power. These acts serve as signs to authenticate the messenger and reveal the presence and authority of God.
tektōn · Greek Noun
A craftsman skilled in working with hard materials, traditionally wood or stone. This humble occupation highlights the humanity of Jesus and the unexpected nature of his ministry.
c. 4 BC
Jesus Born in Bethlehem
Jesus is born in Bethlehem, but his family flees to Egypt and then settles in Nazareth, Galilee. Nazareth becomes his hometown where he grows up and is known as 'Jesus of Nazareth'.
c. AD 25-27
Jesus Begins Public Ministry
After his baptism by John the Baptist and a period of temptation in the wilderness, Jesus begins his public ministry, teaching and performing miracles throughout Galilee.
Sabbath Day (Exact date uncertain)— this verse
Jesus Teaches in Nazareth Synagogue
Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth and, on the Sabbath, teaches in the local synagogue. The townspeople are astonished by his wisdom and mighty works but are ultimately offended by his familiarity.
c. AD 27-28
Jesus Rejected in Nazareth
The people of Nazareth, unable to reconcile Jesus' divine power with his humble upbringing, reject him. As a result, Jesus performs few miracles there, noting that prophets are not honored in their hometown.
This passage highlights a similar reaction from Jewish leaders who were amazed by Jesus' deep understanding of Scripture, questioning how someone without formal training could possess such knowledge.
Mark 6:2-3This parallel account from Mark's Gospel directly addresses the hometown crowd's disbelief, explicitly listing Jesus' family members and questioning His authority and wisdom based on His humble origins.
Isaiah 53:2-3This prophecy describes the suffering servant who would be despised and rejected by his own people, having no stately form or majesty to attract them, which foreshadows the rejection Jesus faced in His hometown.
Luke 4:23-24Jesus himself echoes the sentiment that prophets are often not honored in their own regions, explaining why His hometown rejected His ministry despite His wisdom and power.
barnesMatthew 13:54: "And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?"
Into his own country - That is, into Nazareth. Mark, who has also recorded this Mark 6:1-6 , says that it took place on the Sabbath. It was common for our Saviour to speak in the synagogues. Any Jew had a fight to address the people, if called on by the minister; and our Saviour often availed himsel…
calvinMatthew 13:53-58: "And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence."
- 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…
The people of Nazareth are astonished, asking "Whence hath this man this wisdom and these mighty works?" But their amazement isn't a sign of faith; it's a veiled rejection, born from their familiarity with his humble origins, which makes them stumble over the divine power they witness. They're so caught up in who they think he is that they can't truly see what God is doing through him.
Jesus has just finished teaching a series of parables to the crowds, explaining the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. He then travels to his hometown of Nazareth, where he enters a synagogue and begins to teach. The people there are astonished by his wisdom and the powerful deeds they've heard about or witnessed, but their familiarity with him as the local carpenter's son causes them to stumble and disbelieve.
Jesus has just finished teaching a series of parables to the crowds, explaining the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. He then travels to his hometown of Nazareth, where he enters a synagogue and begins to teach. The people there are astonished by his wisdom and the powerful deeds they've heard about or witnessed, but their familiarity with him as the local carpenter's son causes them to stumble and disbelieve.
"and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not h…" — The people of Nazareth are astonished, asking "Whence hath this man this wisdom and these mighty works?" But their amazement isn't a sign of faith; it's a veiled rejection, born from their familiarit…
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Last reviewed October 2026
