Secrets of the Kingdom
And they took offense at Him. Matthew 13:57 · Berean Standard Bible
The people are offended by Jesus, but He isn't surprised. He points out a painful truth: the people closest to you are often the last to believe in you.
If you've ever felt dismissed by those who should know you best, Jesus understands that sting firsthand.
Jesus speaks this well-known saying in response to His hometown's rejection.
Rather than being defeated by rejection, Jesus names the pattern. Prophets are rarely honored where they grew up.
The Greek skandalizomai ('took offense') indicates a deep stumbling block. Jesus responds with a proverbial saying about prophetic rejection that echoes patterns found across ancient Near Eastern literature.
The proverb about a prophet without honor (atimos) was well known in antiquity. Jesus applies it to explain the paradox of divine revelation being rejected by those closest to it.
Both the offended townspeople and Jesus speak here, with Jesus delivering the prophetic proverb.
Jesus identifies Himself within the prophetic tradition of rejection, foreshadowing the larger pattern of His ministry's reception by Israel.
55“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t His mother’s name Mary, and aren’t His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?
56Aren’t all His sisters with us as well? Where then did this man get all these things?”
57And they took offense at Him.
58And He did not do many miracles there, because of their unbelief.
Read all of Matthew 13 — A farmer scatters seed, a woman hides yeast, a merchant finds a pearl. Jesus teaches in parables — and not everyone is meant to understand.
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