A PROPHET WITHOUT HONOR

Passage: Mark 6:1-6

Key verse: 6a

NIV

A Prophet Without Honor(A)

6 Jesus left there and went to his hometown,(B) accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came,(C) he began to teach in the synagogue,(D) and many who heard him were amazed.(E)

“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph,[a] Judas and Simon?(F) Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.(G)

4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.”(H) 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on(I) a few sick people and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve(J)

Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.(K)

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Footnotes
  1. Mark 6:3 Greek Joses, a variant of Joseph
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Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

6 (A)He went away from there and came to (B)his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2 And (C)on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and (D)many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? 3 (E)Is not this (F)the carpenter, the son of Mary and (G)brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And (H)they took offense at him. 4 And Jesus said to them, (I)“A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” 5 And (J)he could do no mighty work there, except that (K)he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And (L)he marveled because of their unbelief.

(M)And he went about among the villages teaching.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Those who heard him were amazed (1,2a)

When Jesus went to his hometown, Nazareth, and taught in the synagogue there, people were amazed at his wisdom and power. It was their opportunity to accept him and receive God's blessing.

2. Isn't this the carpenter? (2b-6a)

They closed their eyes and hearts to the spiritual reality he embodied. They saw him from a human, physical point of view. They knew his family--his mother and his brothers and sisters. They remembered when he had worked there as a carpenter. So they didn't accept his words. Jesus saw their problem as a problem of unbelief. When we look at God's servant or at God's word or at God's work from a human point of view rather than with the eyes of faith, we cannot receive the blessing God wants to give us. Jesus needs an environment of faith in order to do his work.

Prayer: Lord, give me the eyes of faith to see your hand working in my own life and in the lives of others.

One Word: Hear God's word with faith