Matthew 13 58

Matthew 13:58 kjv

And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

Matthew 13:58 nkjv

Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

Matthew 13:58 niv

And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

Matthew 13:58 esv

And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.

Matthew 13:58 nlt

And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief.

Matthew 13 verses

Matthew 13 58 Meaning

Matthew 13:58 states that Jesus did not perform many mighty works in Nazareth, His hometown, due to the widespread unbelief among the people there. This verse illustrates that while Jesus possessed inherent divine power, its visible manifestation in the form of miracles or healings was often conditioned by the receptivity and faith, or lack thereof, of those present. It highlights a divine principle where human unbelief can act as a barrier to experiencing the fullness of God's power.

Matthew 13 58 Context

Matthew 13 is a significant chapter focused on Jesus' parables, particularly those describing the Kingdom of Heaven. It begins with the Parable of the Sower, followed by other parables, and then the explanation of why Jesus taught in parables. Towards the chapter's end, Jesus travels to Nazareth, His hometown, after a period of extensive ministry elsewhere. The people of Nazareth, having witnessed His upbringing, express astonishment at His "wisdom and mighty works" (Mt 13:54) but are also offended by Him, asking, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is this not the carpenter's son?" (Mt 13:55-56). Their familiarity bred contempt and prevented them from seeing beyond His earthly origin to His divine authority. This specific verse (Mt 13:58) immediately follows their skeptical questions and Jesus' lament that "a prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house" (Mt 13:57). It explains the practical outcome of their skepticism on Jesus' miraculous ministry there.

Matthew 13 58 Word analysis

• And he did not do: Indicates a deliberate restraint, not a lack of power on Jesus' part. His ability remained, but He chose not to exert it widely in this specific situation. It shows Jesus respecting human free will.
• many: Implies some limited acts might have occurred (cf. Mk 6:5), but not the widespread demonstration of divine power seen elsewhere. The emphasis is on the limited scope of His miracles there.
• mighty works: From Greek dynameis (δυνάμεις), meaning acts of power, miracles, powerful deeds. It refers to supernatural manifestations of divine power.
• there: Refers specifically to Nazareth, Jesus' hometown. This locality is significant as it highlights the unique challenge of ministry among those who felt they "knew" Him intimately, leading to prejudiced views.
• because of: Establishes a direct causal link. The absence of "many mighty works" was a direct consequence of "their unbelief." This is a crucial theological point, indicating human condition affects divine manifestation.
• their unbelief: From Greek apistian (ἀπιστίαν), meaning lack of faith, faithlessness, distrust. This isn't just intellectual doubt but a spiritual stubbornness or refusal to believe who Jesus truly was. It indicates a hardening of heart and an unwillingness to accept His divine claims, thus closing themselves off to His miraculous power.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• And he did not do many mighty works there: This phrase reveals Jesus' self-limitation in action. His inherent power was infinite, but its expression in specific miracles was modulated by the environment. It highlights the principle of divine agency interacting with human receptivity.
• because of their unbelief: This directly attributes the limitation not to Jesus' inability, but to the people's lack of faith. It teaches that faith acts as a conduit for divine power, and its absence obstructs that conduit, preventing the flow of spiritual blessings and miraculous intervention.

Matthew 13 58 Bonus section

This verse does not imply a weakening of Jesus' power or authority, but rather a voluntary withdrawal from performing numerous great acts where the spiritual soil was unsuited to bear fruit. The people of Nazareth, seeing Jesus merely as "the carpenter's son," placed a barrier of human familiarity and preconceived notions against recognizing His divine power and prophetic authority. It speaks to the nature of God's interaction with humanity, respecting human choice and requiring a measure of spiritual openness for His full work to be evident. The rejection by His own hometown was a painful foreshadowing of a broader rejection that Jesus would face. Furthermore, while Mark's parallel (Mk 6:5) states Jesus "could do no mighty work there," Matthew says "did not do many mighty works," which highlights a nuance that some acts might still have been performed (e.g., healing a few sick), but the vast demonstration seen elsewhere was notably absent. The key point remains: unbelief limited the manifestation of divine power.

Matthew 13 58 Commentary

Matthew 13:58 encapsulates a profound spiritual principle: while God's power is absolute and boundless, its visible manifestation, particularly in miraculous works, is often contingent upon human faith and receptivity. Jesus, encountering the entrenched unbelief and familiar skepticism of His hometown, did not perform many miracles, not because He was unable, but because the spiritual atmosphere of disbelief was so thick it precluded widespread effectiveness. He honored their lack of faith, refraining from coercing belief through an overwhelming display of power, recognizing that such displays are less effective without a receptive heart. This demonstrates that faith is not a mere precondition for miracles but an active engagement with the divine, allowing God's power to operate within and through individuals.

Example: If a community hardens its heart against God's word and messenger, they may not experience the transforming power and blessing of God as deeply as a receptive community, even though God's power is always available. It's akin to electricity: the power is always in the grid, but if the appliances are unplugged or damaged, the power won't manifest in their operation.