1And he went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. [6:2] And when the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get these things? What is this wisdom given to him? And such powerful deeds done by his hands! [6:3] Is not this the craftsman, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?" And they were offended by him. [6:4] And Jesus said to them: "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household." [6:5] And he was not able to do any powerful deed there, except that he laid hands on a few sick people and healed them. [6:6] And he marveled at their unbelief. And he was going around the villages in a circuit teaching.
MRK 6:1-6
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, trade, and hometown. Nazareth, a small village, would have been a tightly knit community where everyone knew each other’s lineage and occupation. Jesus, identified as 'the carpenter, the son of Mary,' would have been seen as a local artisan, a role that carried modest social standing. The mention of his brothers and sisters further roots him in the community, making his sudden authority and wisdom perplexing. Synagogues were central to Jewish communal life, especially on the Sabbath, where teaching was reserved for recognized scribes or rabbis. Jesus’ teaching and 'such powerful deeds' challenged the social order, as he lacked formal rabbinic training. The astonishment of the crowd reflects their inability to reconcile his humble origins with his extraordinary wisdom and deeds. Their offense suggests they stumbled over his claims, unable to accept him as more than a local craftsman.
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How other translations render this
MRK 6:1
- KJV
- And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.
- BSB
- Jesus went on from there and came to His hometown, accompanied by His disciples.
- Koinōnos
- And he went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him.
MRK 6:2
- KJV
- And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?
- BSB
- When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were astonished. “Where did this man get these ideas?” they asked. “What is this wisdom He has been given? And how can He perform such miracles?
- Koinōnos
- And when the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get these things? What is this wisdom given to him? And such powerful deeds done by his hands!
MRK 6:3
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- Isnʼt this the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Arenʼt His sisters here with us as well?” And they took offense at Him.
- Koinōnos
- Is not this the craftsman, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?" And they were offended by him.
MRK 6:4
- KJV
- But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
- BSB
- Then Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his own household is a prophet without honor.”
- Koinōnos
- And Jesus said to them: "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household.
MRK 6:5
- KJV
- And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.
- BSB
- So He could not perform any miracles there, except to lay His hands on a few of the sick and heal them.
- Koinōnos
- And he was not able to do any powerful deed there, except that he laid hands on a few sick people and healed them.
MRK 6:6
- KJV
- And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.
- BSB
- And He was amazed at their unbelief. And He went around from village to village, teaching the people.
- Koinōnos
- And he marveled at their unbelief. And he was going around the villages in a circuit teaching.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MRK 6:2
- were astonished:The word translated 'were astonished' implies a reaction of being struck out of one's senses or utterly astounded, suggesting a profound and overwhelming surprise.
- miracles:The term used here, translated as 'miracles,' literally means 'such things' or 'things of this kind,' emphasizing the extraordinary nature of the deeds rather than just their miraculous quality.
MRK 6:3
- carpenter,:The word translated 'carpenter' referred to a skilled craftsman who worked with various materials like wood, stone, or metal, not exclusively a woodworker.
- And:The word translated 'And' here introduces a concept of causing someone to stumble or take offense, implying a moral or spiritual impediment rather than a simple conjunction.