Matthew 13:53-58 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

Prejudice.

"When Jesus had finished these parables"—this cycle or system of parables, affording a general view of the conditions of the Church under the new dispensations—"he departed" from Capernaum. "And coming into his own country," arriving at Nazareth across the lake (see Luke 4:16 ), he taught the Nazarenes in their synagogue. They had formerly rejected him, and now he receives from them no better treatment. In the narrative before us we see evidence of—

I. THE UNREASONABLENESS OF PREJUDICE .

1 . The Nazarenes were astonished at his wisdom.

2 . So were they astonished at his miracles.

3 . They rejected the evidence of both. Prejudice has its reasons, but they refute themselves.

II. ITS DIREFUL CONSEQUENCES .

1 . It hardened the Nazarenes in their unbelief.

2 . It exposed them to the reproof of Christ.

3 . It led to their abandonment.