Mark 6 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 6:1-6 – A Prophet Without Honor

CHAPTER SIX:
A TEACHING CIRCUIT, JOHN BEHEADED, 5000 FED,
AND A WALK ON THE SEA

[“No Leisure Time”]

Mark 6:1-6 – A Prophet Without Honor

|| Matthew 3:53-58;[1] Luke 4:16-30

MK6:1 Now Jesus departed from that place and went to his own land[2] with his disciples following him. MK6:2 When the Sabbath day came he began to teach in the synagogue, and the large audience was astounded, saying: “Where did he learn all these things? How does he come to possess such wisdom? And those miracles performed by his own hands? MK6:3 Is this not the carpenter,[3] the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Also, are these not his sisters?” And because of this many were stumbled.[4] MK6:4 However, Jesus said to them: “A prophet is honored everywhere except among his own relatives and in his own home.” MK6:5 As a result, Jesus was unable to do any powerful works there,[5] though he did lay his hands on a few sick persons, healing them.[6] MK6:6 Jesus was astonished at their unbelief, and so he went in a circuit teaching in other villages.

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[1] Matthew 3:53-58: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] His own land: Likely Nazareth.

[3] Carpenter: Or, wood-worker. Other accounts say, “son of the carpenter.” After the death of his ‘father’ Joseph, it is possible Jesus continued on his own as a carpenter to support his family. The Greek is TEKTON [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #5045,artificer, craftsman] from which the modern “technician” comes.

[4] Stumbled: Or, offended, scandalized, a hindrance. The Greek is ESCANDALIZONTO.

[5] Jesus was unable to do any powerful works there: Or, KJV: he could there do no mighty works. This would seem unlikely for God.

[6] Lay his hands on a few sick persons, healing them: Compare James 5:14.

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Mark 5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 5 Review Questions