53And when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed from there. [13:54] Coming to his own homeland, he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were struck with amazement and said: Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? [13:55] Is this not the craftsman's son? Is his mother not called Mary, and his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? [13:56] And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things? [13:57] And they were tripped up by him. But Jesus said to them: A prophet is not without honor except in his own homeland and in his own household. [13:58] And he did not do many miraculous works there because of their unbelief.
MAT 13:53-58
The Rejection at Nazareth
In the world it was spoken into
In 1st-century Galilee, a person’s identity and honor were deeply tied to their family and occupation. Jesus’ return to Nazareth, his (homeland), would have been met with familiarity and skepticism. As a (craftsman), Jesus belonged to the artisan class, a respected but humble position. His family—Mary, his brothers, and sisters—were known locals, making his claims to wisdom and miraculous power seem incongruous with his origins. The synagogue, a central institution for Jewish communal life, was where Jesus taught, and his audience’s astonishment reflects their inability to reconcile his humble background with his profound teachings. Their offense was not merely personal but theological; they stumbled over the idea that someone from their midst could embody divine authority. In an honor-shame culture, Jesus’ lack of formal rabbinic training and his ordinary family status made his claims difficult to accept, leading to rejection.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
MAT 13:53
- KJV
- And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.
- BSB
- When Jesus had finished these parables, He withdrew from that place.
- Koinōnos
- And when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed from there.
MAT 13:54
- KJV
- 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?
- BSB
- Coming to His hometown, He taught the people in their synagogue, and they were astonished. “Where did this man get such wisdom and miraculous powers?” they asked.
- Koinōnos
- Coming to his own homeland, he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were struck with amazement and said: Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?
MAT 13:55
- KJV
- Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
- BSB
- “Isnʼt this the carpenterʼs son? Isnʼt His motherʼs name Mary, and arenʼt His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?
- Koinōnos
- Is this not the craftsman's son? Is his mother not called Mary, and his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?
MAT 13:56
- KJV
- And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
- BSB
- Arenʼt all His sisters with us as well? Where then did this man get all these things?”
- Koinōnos
- And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?
MAT 13:57
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown and in his own household is a prophet without honor.”
- Koinōnos
- And they were tripped up by him. But Jesus said to them: A prophet is not without honor except in his own homeland and in his own household.
MAT 13:58
- KJV
- And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
- BSB
- And He did not do many miracles there, because of their unbelief.
- Koinōnos
- And he did not do many miraculous works there because of their unbelief.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MAT 13:54
- region:The word translated 'region' here specifically refers to one's homeland or fatherland, emphasizing a deep connection to one's place of origin and ancestral roots.
- to be astonished:The term used here for 'to be astonished' implies a strong, almost violent reaction of being struck out of one's senses or composure, indicating profound shock or amazement.
MAT 13:55
- carpenter:The word translated 'carpenter' was a broader term for a craftsman or artisan, often working with wood, but could also include other materials, indicating a skilled manual laborer.
MAT 13:57
- they were offended:The phrase 'they were offended' uses a word that literally means to cause someone to stumble or fall into a trap, implying a strong reaction of moral outrage or a sense of being tripped up by something unacceptable.