Mark 6 2

Mark 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?

Mark 6:2 nkjv

And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!

Mark 6:2 niv

When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. "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?

Mark 6:2 esv

And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and 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?

Mark 6:2 nlt

The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. They asked, "Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?"

Mark 6 verses

Mark 6 2 Meaning

Mark 6:2 describes Jesus teaching in His hometown synagogue in Nazareth on the Sabbath. The people, who had known Him in His humble life, were utterly astonished by His teaching. Their amazement stemmed from two main observations: the profound wisdom He displayed and the mighty, miraculous works (power) being done through Him, wondering where He acquired such divine attributes.

Mark 6 2 Context

Mark 6:2 is set immediately after Jesus returns to His hometown, Nazareth, a place that held familiarity but would soon reveal deep-seated resistance. Chapter 6 opens with Jesus teaching on the Sabbath, following a period of extensive ministry in Galilee marked by healings, exorcisms, and powerful parables (Mark 4-5). This visit to Nazareth, specifically teaching in the local synagogue, was an expected custom for a devout Jew, allowing Him to openly share His message within the familiar communal religious setting. However, the subsequent verses show that His local ties became a stumbling block for those who "knew" Him, highlighting the stark contrast between their human understanding of Him and His divine identity, power, and wisdom.

Mark 6 2 Word analysis

• And (Καί - Kai): A simple conjunction connecting the previous verse, indicating a continuation of Jesus' actions upon arriving in His hometown.
• when the Sabbath (τοῦ Σαββάτου - tou Sabbatu): The seventh day of the week, consecrated for rest and worship according to God's commandment. Jesus, as a devout Jew, observed the Sabbath, often teaching and healing on this day, which sometimes brought Him into conflict with the legalistic interpretations of the Pharisees. It was customary for someone to be invited to read scripture and teach in the synagogue.
• came (γενομένου - genomenou): "Having occurred" or "having arrived." Signifies the precise timing of the event.
• he began to teach (ἤρξατο διδάσκειν - ērxato didaskein): "Began to instruct." This indicates a formal public teaching, not merely informal conversation. Jesus was stepping into a role of authority and instruction within the synagogue setting.
• in the synagogue (ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ - en tē synagogē): The local Jewish place of worship and community gathering. This was a common venue for Jesus to proclaim His message, allowing Him to reach a significant part of the community.
• and many (Καὶ πολλοί - Kai polloi): "And a large number" or "many people." Indicates a significant audience.
• who heard Him (ἀκούοντες - akouontes): "Those hearing." Emphasizes their immediate sensory reception of His words.
• were astonished (ἐξεπλήσσοντο - exeplēssonto): From ekplēssō, meaning "to strike out, to cast out," often implying to be "struck with astonishment," "astounded," or "utterly amazed." This is a very strong word, suggesting a powerful, almost overwhelming surprise, rather than just simple wonder. It implies their minds were "struck out" of their normal state by His teaching.
• saying (λέγοντες - legontes): Their verbal expression of their astonishment.
• "From where" (Πόθεν - Pothen): This word signifies "from what source," "by what origin," or "where did he get this from?" It's a question rooted in their knowledge of His mundane origins. This implies not just curiosity but also a degree of skepticism or even indignation, challenging the legitimacy of His power given His known background.
• did this man (τούτῳ - toutō): Referring to Jesus in a somewhat dismissive or understated way, "this one" or "this fellow."
• get these things? (ταῦτα - tauta): "These things." An umbrella term referring to both His wisdom and His mighty works, implying a tangible manifestation of extraordinary power and insight.
• "And what" (καὶ τίς - kai tis): Another rhetorical question expressing incredulity.
• is this wisdom (ἡ σοφία αὕτη - hē sophia hautē): "This wisdom." Greek sophia refers to a profound understanding of truth, practical skill, and insight. It signifies deep spiritual knowledge and practical understanding. The Nazarenes recognized a profound depth to His teaching beyond what they would expect from someone with no formal rabbinic training.
• given to Him? (δοθεῖσα αὐτῷ - dotheisa autō): Literally, "given to Him." They perceived His wisdom as something imparted to Him, acknowledging its extraordinary nature but failing to see its divine origin from within Him.
• "And such mighty works" (καὶ αἱ δυνάμεις - kai hai dynameis): "And the powers." Greek dynamis (plural dynameis) means inherent power, strength, or ability, particularly miraculous power. These are not merely good deeds but acts displaying supernatural energy and divine authority, commonly translated as "miracles" or "acts of power."
• being done by His hands?" (διὰ τῶν χειρῶν αὐτοῦ γινόμεναι - dia tōn cheirōn autou ginomenai): Emphasizes Jesus as the direct agent of these miracles. They acknowledge the power displayed through His physical hands, further cementing their disbelief as they link these supernatural acts to someone they perceive as an ordinary person.

• "On the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue": This phrase sets the scene within the established Jewish religious and cultural framework. Jesus utilized the customary platform for instruction, indicating His integration into the communal life while simultaneously showcasing His unique teaching authority that transcended traditional rabbinic education.
• "many who heard Him were astonished, saying...": This highlights a strong, visceral reaction from the audience. Their astonishment, bordering on bewilderment, underscores the unexpected nature of Jesus's wisdom and power from their perspective. It suggests His teaching had an immediate impact that challenged their preconceived notions.
• "From where did this man get these things? And what is this wisdom... and these mighty works being done by His hands?": These are not questions born of genuine seeking or reverence, but of perplexity, doubt, and perhaps even thinly veiled scorn. They reveal the cognitive dissonance experienced by the Nazarenes, who could not reconcile the extraordinary wisdom and miraculous power with Jesus's ordinary, familiar upbringing. Their familiarity bred contempt, rather than a readiness to accept the divine.

Mark 6 2 Bonus section

The "astonishment" (ἐξεπλήσσοντο - exeplēssonto) described here is a significant word often used in the Gospels to denote the reaction to Jesus's authoritative teaching or miracles (e.g., Matt 7:28; 19:25; Mark 1:22). It implies a deep psychological impact, a strong sense of wonder that goes beyond mere surprise, often indicating an encounter with something supernatural or inexplicable from a human perspective. In this verse, however, this astonishment is presented as leading not to belief, but to questioning and ultimately, to becoming a stumbling block. The phrase "did this man get these things?" (πόθεν τούτῳ ταῦτα) conveys an almost disdainful tone, a refusal to believe that anything truly significant could originate from their familiar, unassuming "carpenter." This highlights a central biblical theme: God often chooses humble, unexpected channels for His work, challenging human pride and preconceived notions (1 Cor 1:27). The combination of His wisdom and His dynameis (mighty works) are mutually validating; the powerful deeds demonstrate the divine source of His teachings, and His wise teachings interpret the meaning of His deeds. They correctly link His wisdom to a source beyond mere human education, but critically miss the divine source itself.

Mark 6 2 Commentary

Mark 6:2 vividly portrays the initial reaction to Jesus's ministry in His hometown, Nazareth. Teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath, Jesus demonstrated a profound wisdom in His words and an undeniable power in the "mighty works" performed through Him. The community's response was one of profound astonishment. This amazement, however, was not awe that led to worship, but rather bewilderment stemming from their inability to reconcile His known, humble background (as described in Mark 6:3) with the divine authority and power manifesting through Him. They questioned the source of His extraordinary abilities, focusing on His lack of formal rabbinic training and His family's common standing. Their internal query, "Where did this man get these things?", reveals their struggle to categorize Jesus within their existing framework of understanding. They acknowledged the objective reality of His wisdom and power but attributed it to an unknown, problematic origin, setting the stage for their eventual offense and rejection.