Matthew 13 : 53 - 58 A Prophet without Honour.

The End of Jesus Ministry in Galilee Matt 13:53  - 58

Although Matthew does not disguise the fact of Opposition to Jesus from the outset up until this point he has been concerned with the Wonderful Teaching of Jesus and with the way the people Flocked to Him to experience His Healing Miracles. But this did not last.

Now Matthew makes it clear that the Opposition grew. In this section though there are some faithful and loyal followers ,Matthew tells us of people who failed to respond in the right way. Here we see opposition growing and becoming increasingly bitter which in time lead to the Cross. He begins with His Rejection by the people of His home town of Nazareth, and the Rejection of John the Baptist and his Murder by Herod L.M. p.363

Mat 13:53  Jesus concluded this series of parables and then departed.

Mat 13:54  And He came into His own country and proceeded to teach in their synagogue, so that they were filled with astonishment and exclaimed, "Where did he obtain such wisdom, and these wondrous powers?

Mat 13:55  Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers, James, Joseph, Simon and Judah?

Mat 13:56  And his sisters--are they not all living here among us? Where then did he get all this?"

Mat 13:57  So they turned angrily away from Him. But Jesus said to them, "There is no prophet left without honour except in his own country and among his own family."

Mat 13:58  And He performed but few mighty deeds there because of their want of faith.

Introduction

All three Synoptists [Matthew, Mark and Luke] mention this visit to His hometown. Jesus received a poor reception. Luke has the Longest Narrative of this incident with Jesus Sermon in the Synagogue at Nazareth.and their attempt to throw Him over the Cliff outside the city. His own townspeople are astonished at Jesus Wisdom and His Miraculous Powers but they still reject Him.

Mat 13:53  Jesus concluded this series of parables and then departed.

Notes

And it came to pass that, when Jesus had finished these parables,.... Which he spoke both to the multitude from the ship, and to his disciples in the house,

he departed thence; from the house in which he was, and the city of Capernaum, where he had some time been.

Mat 13:54  And He came into His own country and proceeded to teach in their synagogue, so that they were filled with astonishment and exclaimed, "Where did he obtain such wisdom, and these wondrous powers?

Notes

And He came into His own country and proceeded to teach in their synagogue,...

From Capernaum to Nazareth about  50 miles - 80km

The Synagogue at Nazareth  see Luke 4

Mat 13:55  Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers, James, Joseph, Simon and Judah?

Is not this the carpenter’s son? - Mark says, “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary?” Both these expressions would probably be used in the course of the conversation, and Matthew has recorded one and Mark the other. The expression recorded by Mark is a strong, perhaps decisive proof that he had himself worked at the business until he was 30 years of age. The people in the neighborhood would understand well the nature of his early employments. It is therefore almost certain that this had been his manner of life. A useful employment is always honorable. Idleness is the parent of mischief. Our Saviour, therefore, spent the greatest part of his life in honest, useful industry.

Until the age of 30 he did not choose to enter on his great work; and it was proper before that time that he should set an example to the world of honorable though humble industry. Life is not wasted in such employments. They are appointed as the lot of man; and in the faithful discharge of duties in the relations of life, though obscure; in honest industry, however humble; in patient labor, if connected with a life of religion, we may be sure that God will approve our conduct. It was, moreover, the custom of the Jews - even those of wealth and learning - to train all their children to some “trade” or manual occupation. Thus Paul was a tent-maker. Barnes Notes

They despised Him being the son of a humble carpenter, Joseph.

Is not his mother Mary?

They knew her and possibly knew of the birth out of wedlock or under mysterious circumstances.

And are not his brothers, James, Joseph, Simon and Judah?

The fair interpretation of this passage is, that these were the sons and daughters of Joseph and Mary. The people in the neighborhood thought so, and spoke of them as such. Barnes

Mat 13:56  And his sisters--are they not all living here among us? Where then did he get all this?"

Notes:

Jesus’ Sisters

Reader! even now the offence of the cross is not ceased! And, the Lord be praised, it never shall. Oh! what a blessedness is it, that amidst all the unworthiness that is in us, there is none in Christ. Lord! grant that I may never be offended, but in the midst of the present perverse and crooked generation, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Mat 13:57  So they turned angrily away from Him. But Jesus said to them, "There is no prophet left without honour except in his own country and among his own family."

Notes

And they were offended in him (kai eskandalizonto en autōi). Graphic imperfect passive. Literally, “They stumbled at him,” “They were repelled by him” (Moffatt), “They turned against him” (Weymouth). It was unpardonable for Jesus not to be commonplace like themselves.

Not without honour (ouk estin atimos). This is a proverb found in Jewish, Greek, and Roman writers. Seen also in the Logia of Jesus (Oxyr. Papyri i. 3).

Mat 13:58  And He performed but few mighty deeds there because of their want of faith.

Notes

Attitudes are very important in relation to Miracles. There are so many that Mock the Saviour and mock His mother and father. They are more than just unbelievers but agressive Anti-God and Anti Christ. Their Day of Judgement is coming. The Woes of the Bible will surely come.

Without honour in His own home town. This is the Glorious Saviour who died for us on Calvary.

Jesus suffered at the hands of wicked, oppressive unbelievers as Christians are today all over the World.

Only two days ago, a suicide bomber crashed a jeep laden with explosives into a packed Catholic church in Kaduna, northern Nigeria, killing at least eight ..