And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to read this as Jesus couldn't perform miracles because he lacked power, but the text actually highlights how his power was limited by their closed hearts. Their deep-seated disbelief acted like a wall, preventing them from receiving the full extent of his healing touch, even though he still managed to heal a few out of sheer compassion. This shows that faith isn't just a prerequisite for receiving, but also an open door through which God's power can flow most freely.
And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth, teaching in the synagogue and astounding the crowds with his wisdom. However, their familiarity with him as a local carpenter's son, and the fact that his family and siblings were well-known to them, caused them to stumble and reject him, prompting Jesus to observe that prophets are rarely honored in their own land. Because of this pervasive disbelief and contempt, Jesus could only perform a few minor miracles there, as working more would have been pointless and even perceived negatively by the resistant crowd.
Why is it that people closest to us sometimes struggle the most to accept our calling or gifts? Jesus encountered this very issue in his hometown.
Jesus returned to his hometown, and the people there were astonished by his wisdom and the miracles he performed. Yet, instead of being drawn to God's power, they stumbled over his humble origins. They knew him as 'the carpenter's son,' whose mother and siblings were familiar figures. This very familiarity bred contempt, making it hard for them to see the divine power at work in him. They were so caught up in who they thought Jesus was, based on their earthly knowledge, that they couldn't accept the heavenly reality he represented. As the saying goes, 'a prophet is not without honor, except in his own country.' Their earthly perspective blinded them to his divine mission.
Jesus' power was immense, yet in his hometown, it seemed limited. What does this tell us about the connection between our faith and God's work?
The verse states Jesus 'did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.' This isn't to say Jesus' power was insufficient, but rather that their profound lack of faith created an environment where his power couldn't be fully expressed or received. Think of faith like an open hand ready to receive a gift, while unbelief is a tightly clenched fist. Even though the gift is offered, the clenched fist cannot accept it. Their ingrained skepticism meant that even if Jesus performed miracles, they wouldn't truly believe or be convinced of his divine mission. Their unbelief acted like a barrier, preventing the full outpouring of his miraculous power among them. While he did heal a few, their pervasive doubt meant he withheld the 'many mighty works' that could have further demonstrated his authority.
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
dynameis · Greek Noun
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.
The familiar setting of Jesus' hometown, Nazareth, highlights a profound spiritual truth: a lack of faith can severely limit the work of God. Despite Jesus' divine power, the deep-seated unbelief and contempt of those who knew him best prevented the full demonstration of his mighty works.
c. 27-30 AD
Jesus' Galilean Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry in Galilee, teaching and performing miracles, drawing crowds and attention across the region.
c. 28 AD— this verse
Jesus visits Nazareth
Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth, where he is known from his youth, and teaches in the local synagogue.
c. 28 AD
Rejection in Nazareth
The people of Nazareth, familiar with Jesus' family and upbringing, are offended by him and doubt his authority and claims.
c. 28 AD
Limited Miracles in Nazareth
Due to the profound unbelief and offense of the townspeople, Jesus performs very few miracles there, only healing a handful of sick people.
c. 28 AD
Jesus Departs Nazareth
Jesus leaves Nazareth, moving to surrounding villages to continue teaching, as his hometown rejects his message and ministry.
This passage from Mark provides a crucial clarification, stating that Jesus 'could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.' It highlights that Jesus' power wasn't limited, but rather intentionally restrained by the prevailing unbelief and hardness of heart in his hometown.
John 4:48Jesus directly addresses this theme when he says to the official, 'Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe.' This shows Jesus' awareness that some people require extraordinary signs to believe, while others (like those in Nazareth) are so resistant that even miracles won't sway them.
Hebrews 11:6This foundational verse states, 'And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.' It underscores that faith is the essential gateway through which God's blessings and power are accessed, making the absence of it a significant barrier.
Isaiah 53:1This prophecy from Isaiah questions, 'Who has believed what he has heard from us?' It anticipates the very rejection Jesus faced in his hometown, highlighting the prophetic blindness that prevents people from recognizing God's work right in front of them.
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…
bensonMatthew 13:58: "And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief."
Matthew 13:58 . And he did not, (Mark says, he could not do, ) many mighty works, because of their unbelief — On which words it has been justly observed, that they are not to be understood so strictly as if the power of Christ was here disarmed; but only, that as they brought but few sick people to him for a cure, he did not judge it proper to obtrude his miracles upon them. On the same principle it is, that fait…
It's easy to read this as Jesus couldn't perform miracles because he lacked power, but the text actually highlights how his power was limited by their closed hearts. Their deep-seated disbelief acted like a wall, preventing them from receiving the full extent of his healing touch, even though he still managed to heal a few out of sheer compassion. This shows that faith isn't just a prerequisite for receiving, but also an open door through which God's power can flow most freely.
Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth, teaching in the synagogue and astounding the crowds with his wisdom. However, their familiarity with him as a local carpenter's son, and the fact that his family and siblings were well-known to them, caused them to stumble and reject him, prompting Jesus to observe that prophets are rarely honored in their own land. Because of this pervasive disbelief and contempt, Jesus could only perform a few minor miracles there, as working more would have been pointless and even perceived negatively by the resistant crowd.
Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth, teaching in the synagogue and astounding the crowds with his wisdom. However, their familiarity with him as a local carpenter's son, and the fact that his family and siblings were well-known to them, caused them to stumble and reject him, prompting Jesus to observe that prophets are rarely honored in their own land. Because of this pervasive disbelief and contempt, Jesus could only perform a few minor miracles there, as working more would have been pointless and even perceived negatively by the resistant crowd.
"And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief." — It's easy to read this as Jesus couldn't perform miracles because he lacked power, but the text actually highlights how his power was limited by their closed hearts. Their deep-seated disbelief a…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026