Matthew 13 54

Matthew 13:54 kjv

And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

Matthew 13:54 nkjv

When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?

Matthew 13:54 niv

Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked.

Matthew 13:54 esv

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?

Matthew 13:54 nlt

He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was amazed and said, "Where does he get this wisdom and the power to do miracles?"

Matthew 13 verses

Matthew 13 54 Meaning

This verse describes Jesus' return to His hometown of Nazareth after His Galilean ministry and His subsequent teaching in the local synagogue. The people of Nazareth, having known Jesus since His childhood, were utterly astonished by the profound wisdom in His words and the undeniable power evident in His miraculous works. Their astonishment was coupled with a questioning tone, revealing their struggle to reconcile the ordinary carpenter's son they knew with the extraordinary teacher and miracle-worker before them. It highlights the tension between familiarity and the recognition of divine truth.

Matthew 13 54 Context

Matthew 13 is often called the "parables chapter," where Jesus delivers a series of parables (like the Sower, the Wheat and the Weeds, the Mustard Seed, the Leaven, the Hidden Treasure, the Pearl of Great Value, and the Net) to teach about the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. The teaching in His "own country" in verse 54 serves as a practical illustration of the principles of reception or rejection discussed within these parables. Specifically, it contrasts with the understanding shown by His disciples and reveals the hardened hearts of those familiar with Him but blind to His divine nature. It sets the stage for the theme of Jesus' rejection by His own people, a recurring motif throughout the Gospels, and serves as a transition from His parabolic teaching to a more direct account of His encounters and subsequent opposition. Historically, synagogues were the central hub for Jewish religious education and community life. It was customary for esteemed teachers to speak there. Jesus, as a carpenter from Nazareth, was expected to fit a known mold; His supernatural wisdom and power disrupted their preconceived notions of Him. This challenge to their social hierarchy and understanding contributed to their resistance.

Matthew 13 54 Word analysis

• And coming (Καὶ ἐλθὼν - kai elthōn): Signals a transition in geographical location and narrative focus, indicating Jesus' deliberate return to a place of significance for His earthly life.
• to His own country (τὴν πατρίδα αὐτοῦ - ten patrida autou): Refers to His hometown, Nazareth (Mk 6:1; Lk 4:16), the place of His upbringing and familiar background. The use of "His own" emphasizes personal connection but ironically foreshadows rejection.
• He taught (ἐδίδασκεν - edidasken): Imperfect tense, suggesting continuous or repeated teaching. It highlights the customary practice of a visiting teacher and the consistent impact of His instruction. Jesus' teaching was marked by inherent authority, unlike that of the scribes (Mt 7:29).
• them (αὐτοὺς - autous): The inhabitants of Nazareth, His relatives, acquaintances, and childhood neighbors, adding to the familiarity that would soon breed contempt.
• in their synagogue (ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ αὐτῶν - en te synagogē autōn): The Jewish house of assembly for worship, reading of Scripture, and teaching. It was the public venue for His instruction, underscoring the communal and official nature of His teaching ministry.
• so that (ὥστε - hoste): Introduces the result or consequence of His teaching, indicating a direct effect on the audience.
• they were astonished (ἐξεπλήσσοντο - exeplessonto): A strong Greek verb meaning to be utterly amazed, confounded, struck out of their senses. It conveys a sense of shock and bewilderment, indicating the profound impact of His words and deeds. Their reaction was intense, indicating that what they witnessed surpassed normal human experience.
• and said (καὶ ἔλεγον - kai elegon): Shows their communal expression of bewilderment. Their questions reflect an immediate, shared internal conflict.
• 'Where did this Man (τοῦτον - touton) get this wisdom (τὴν σοφίαν ταύτην - ten sophian tauten) and these mighty works (καὶ τὰς δυνάμεις ταύτας - kai tas dynameis tautas)?': This phrase embodies their disbelief.
  • "this Man (τοῦτον - touton)": Implies a subtle dismissiveness, a familiarity that prevents recognition of His divine status. It suggests, "This fellow we know."
  • "wisdom (σοφία - sophia)": Refers to the profound insight, teaching, and understanding displayed in His words and spiritual knowledge. It's the intrinsic quality of His spoken truth.
  • "mighty works (δυνάμεις - dynameis)": Literally "powers" or "miracles." These were the physical manifestations of His divine authority—His healing, exorcisms, and other miraculous acts. This refers to the objective evidence of His power.
  • "Where did...get": This question is not a sincere inquiry for understanding, but an expression of perplexity and underlying skepticism. They are perplexed by the disparity between His known humble background and His extraordinary abilities, unable to attribute His power to God because of their preconceived notions. Their minds could not reconcile their prior knowledge of Him with the unprecedented power and authority He demonstrated.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "Coming to His own country, He taught...in their synagogue": This highlights the familiar setting and the expected nature of His actions. He came to His own people, in their familiar religious gathering place, to teach, yet the outcome would be unexpected.
  • "they were astonished and said": This reveals a reactive disbelief. The astonishing effect of Jesus' presence and power prompted questions rather than worship or immediate belief, illustrating the human tendency to question divine manifestations when they defy human expectations.
  • "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?": This rhetorical question underlines the central tension. They acknowledge His supernatural capabilities but deny their divine source because of His human origins and their personal familiarity. This is the heart of their offense – they could not accept that someone from such humble and familiar beginnings could possess such transcendent wisdom and power.

Matthew 13 54 Bonus section

• The incident in Nazareth directly contrasts with the receptive audiences Jesus often found in other Galilean towns. Their question, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?" underscores a significant theological challenge for them: if He isn't from human-sanctioned schools or a known prophetic lineage, and they know His earthly family, then His power source remains inexplicable and therefore suspect to their human reason.
• This passage serves as a powerful reminder of John 1:46: "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" The Nazareth experience in Matthew 13:54 tragically affirms, from the perspective of the Nazarenes, that their preconceived notions about His hometown identity eclipsed any potential for faith in His messianic role, even when confronted by the manifestation of divine power.
• The "scandal of the particular" is evident here. God chose an ordinary family in a humble town for His incarnation, challenging human expectations of what the Messiah would look like or where He would come from. This challenged not only Nazareth's inhabitants but all who looked for a conventionally powerful or highly placed Messiah.

Matthew 13 54 Commentary

Matthew 13:54 strikingly portrays the tragic irony of Christ's rejection in His hometown. The very people who had watched Him grow, witnessed His ordinary life as a carpenter's son, became the least receptive to His divine ministry. Their astonishment at His wisdom and miracles was genuine, a testament to His undeniable power, yet it was not enough to foster faith. Instead, familiarity bred contempt and a limiting human judgment. They questioned His source, seeking to categorize Him within their limited understanding ("Where did this Man get...?") rather than opening their hearts to His divine origin. This moment foreshadows a broader pattern of disbelief: many who see Jesus through human eyes alone will stumble, unable to reconcile the Son of Man with the Son of God, even when faced with overwhelming evidence. It teaches that proximity and background knowledge can sometimes become obstacles to recognizing God's work, if not accompanied by spiritual discernment.