Matthew 13:54 - Exposition

And when he was come into his own country ( εἰς τὴν πατρίδα αὐτοῦ ); i.e. Nazareth ( Matthew 2:23 ). In Luke 4:23 the phrase is used with express contrast to Capernaum. In John 4:44 it is, as it seems, used in a special sense of Judaea, even though it comes in a saying that is almost identical with our verse 57 (see Bishop Westcott). He taught them in their synagogue. His teaching appears to have spread over at least a few days ( ἐδίδασκεν ). Insomuch that they were astonished ( Matthew 7:28 , Matthew 7:29 ), and said, Whence ( πόθεν ). And so again in verse 56. The sentence might in itself express an earnest desire to know the origin of our Lord. But the fact that they were "offended in him" (verse 57) shows that their language was due. not so much to inquiry as to astonishment, which may in some cases be the first stage of inquiry ( Matthew 9:33 ; Matthew 12:23 ), or may, as here, be checked from further development. Knowing his family, and despising it, they treated him merely as a curiosity, and never thought of submitting themselves to him. Hath this Man this wisdom. Which they had just heard. And these mighty works? These is not expressed in the Greek, nor necessarily implied. Perhaps he had already performed some of the few miracles that he wrought there (verse 58), or possibly his townsfolk referred to what they had heard of his miracles elsewhere.