Matthew 13:53-58

53 And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, 54 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? 55 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? 56 And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 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.” 58 And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.

Comments

This pericope concludes a major section of teaching and transitions into a new section that describes the division around Jesus’ teaching centered around this question: Who is Jesus?

This is Jesus’ last recorded visit to a synagogue. The people know that his “wisdom” and “mighty works” require more than human origin. He is not another rabbi. While Mark calls Jesus a carpenter, Matthew tells us that Joseph was. We can thus conclude that Jesus was part of a family carpentry business. Jesus the carpenter seemed to be too good for such a simple man, or, as the religious leaders concluded, a fake. The rejected Messiah chose to do little in unbelieving Nazareth.

Prayer

Jesus, Savior of the word, have mercy on me, a sinner.