Matthew 13:57-58
And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's easy to miss is that Jesus isn't just stating a general observation; he's directly addressing the reason they're offended. They're stumbling because their familiarity with his humble human origins makes it impossible for them to accept the extraordinary divine power they're witnessing, a blindness that "familiarity breeds contempt" cannot overcome.
Jesus has just finished teaching a series of parables, and now he returns to his hometown, Nazareth. The people there are amazed by his wisdom and miracles, but their familiarity with his humble upbringing – knowing his mother, brothers, and sisters – causes them to stumble. They cannot reconcile the extraordinary gifts they witness with the ordinary life they knew, leading them to reject him.
Why did Jesus' own townspeople take offense at him? It wasn't his message, but his background.
Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth, ready to share wisdom and perform miracles. But the people there can't get past who they think Jesus is. They know him as 'the carpenter's son,' Mary's boy, with brothers and sisters they've known their whole lives. This familiarity with his ordinary human background becomes a major stumbling block. Instead of seeing God's power at work, they focus on his humble origins and dismiss his divine message.
This reminds us that sometimes, our closest relationships or deepest familiarity with someone can actually hinder us from seeing God's work in them. We get stuck on what we know, or think we know, and miss the extraordinary.
Jesus laments a truth about prophets: they're often least honored by those who know them best.
Jesus quotes a well-known proverb: 'A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.' This isn't just a casual observation; it's a deep sigh of understanding about the human tendency to reject what's familiar.
Think about it: we often expect strangers to impress us with new skills or insights. But with those we know intimately – family, close friends, neighbors – our expectations can shift. We might focus on past flaws, perceived limitations, or simply the comfort of the status quo. This proverb highlights how difficult it is for people to recognize God's extraordinary work in someone they've always known as ordinary.
Jesus experiences this firsthand. The very people who should have recognized him, who had the most access to his life and ministry, were the ones who stumbled the most.
Why couldn't Jesus do more miracles in Nazareth? It wasn't a lack of power, but a lack of faith.
The passage notes that Jesus 'did not perform many miracles there because of their unbelief.' This is crucial. Jesus' power wasn't limited; the people's lack of faith the limiting factor.
Understand the original words
eskandalizonto · Greek Verb
To cause to stumble, to be scandalized, or to take offense. It describes a situation where one's expectations are unmet, leading to a rejection of the truth or the person being observed.
prophētēs · Greek Noun
A spokesperson for God who communicates divine messages. In biblical tradition, a prophet is often disregarded by those most familiar with their human limitations, as evidenced by the lack of recognition in their own community.
timē · Greek Noun
The state of being respected, esteemed, or held in high regard. Biblically, honor is expected for God's messengers, yet it is frequently withheld by those blinded by familiarity or prejudice.
dynameis · Greek Noun
This passage reveals the profound difficulty of being recognized and accepted when your origins are intimately known. Familiarity can breed not just contempt, but a blindness to the extraordinary gifts and divine calling God has placed in someone.
c. 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus' Early Life and Ministry in Nazareth
Jesus grew up in Nazareth, likely working as a carpenter. His public ministry began in Galilee, and he eventually returned to his hometown synagogue to teach.
c. 1st century AD
Rejection in Nazareth Synagogue
During a Sabbath teaching in his hometown synagogue, Jesus' Nazareth neighbors were amazed by his wisdom and miracles but took offense at his humble origins and family connections. They questioned how he possessed such gifts, knowing his earthly background.
c. 1st century AD
Jesus' Proverbial Response
In response to their offense, Jesus uttered the proverb, 'A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household,' highlighting the common human tendency to undervalue those they know intimately.
c. 1st century AD
Limited Miracles in Nazareth
Due to their unbelief and offense, Jesus was unable to perform many miracles in Nazareth, a stark contrast to his ministry in other regions. He could only heal a few sick people.
This passage shows Samuel anointing Saul, a common man, as king, illustrating how God often chooses individuals from humble backgrounds for significant roles, much like Jesus, whose humble origins were a stumbling block to his own people.
John 4:44Jesus himself states, 'For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown,' directly echoing the sentiment and experience in Matthew 13:57.
Jeremiah 11:21Jeremiah faced intense opposition and plotting from his own relatives and people in Anathoth, demonstrating the deep-seated rejection and lack of honor a prophet can face, even from those closest to him.
Mark 6:4The parallel account in Mark elaborates on Jesus' statement by adding 'and among his own relatives and his own household,' emphasizing the familial aspect of the rejection and unbelief.
Acts 13:44-46When Paul and Barnabas preached in Antioch of Pisidia, many Jews followed them, but when they turned to the Gentiles, the Jews rejected the message and reviled them, showing a pattern of outsiders being more receptive than the insiders.
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…
barnesMatthew 13:57: "And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house."
And they were offended in him - That is, they took offence at his humble birth, and at the indigent circumstances of his family. They were too proud to be taught by one who, in family connections, they took to be their equal or inferior. People always look with envy on those of their own rank who advance pretensions to uncommon wisdom or super…
What's easy to miss is that Jesus isn't just stating a general observation; he's directly addressing the reason they're offended. They're stumbling because their familiarity with his humble human origins makes it impossible for them to accept the extraordinary divine power they're witnessing, a blindness that "familiarity breeds contempt" cannot overcome.
Jesus has just finished teaching a series of parables, and now he returns to his hometown, Nazareth. The people there are amazed by his wisdom and miracles, but their familiarity with his humble upbringing – knowing his mother, brothers, and sisters – causes them to stumble. They cannot reconcile the extraordinary gifts they witness with the ordinary life they knew, leading them to reject him.
Jesus has just finished teaching a series of parables, and now he returns to his hometown, Nazareth. The people there are amazed by his wisdom and miracles, but their familiarity with his humble upbringing – knowing his mother, brothers, and sisters – causes them to stumble. They cannot reconcile the extraordinary gifts they witness with the ordinary life they knew, leading them to reject him.
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Think of faith like an open hand, ready to receive. Unbelief is like a clenched fist, pushing away what God wants to give. The people of Nazareth, by focusing on Jesus' humble origins and refusing to believe in his divine authority, effectively shut down the channels through which God's power could flow among them.
Jesus' ability to work miracles was intertwined with the receptiveness of those around him. Their hardened hearts and prejudiced minds created an atmosphere where his miraculous power couldn't easily manifest. This shows us that our own belief (or disbelief) has a real impact on our experience of God's presence and power.
Works of power, specifically referring to miraculous signs performed by the power of God. These acts serve as evidence of the kingdom of God breaking into the human experience.
apistian · Greek Noun
A lack of faith or active rejection of the truth. It signifies a refusal to trust in God or His messengers, which serves as a barrier to experiencing the manifest power and blessing of God.
"And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief." — What's easy to miss is that Jesus isn't just stating a general observation; he's directly addressing the reason they're offended. They're stumbling because their familiarity with his humble human o…
