6:1-6
30.-Rejection at Nazareth
“And he went out from thence; and he cometh into his own country; and his disciples follow him. And when the sabbath was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, Whence hath this man these things? and, What is the wisdom that is given unto this man, and what mean such mighty works wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended in him. And Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief” (6:1-6 (R.V.).
HIS OWN COUNTRY
“And he went out from thence; and he cometh into his own country: and his disciples follow him.” Nazareth was His country, His fatherland (πατρίς), and is so called elsewhere in the Gospels (Matt. 13:54, 5754And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? (Matthew 13:54)
57And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house. (Matthew 13:57); Luke 4:23, 2423And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. 24And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. (Luke 4:23‑24); John 4:4444For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honor in his own country. (John 4:44)). And Nazareth was a despised town or village in the despised province of Galilee. Remote from Jerusalem and Judah, it was in the most northerly part of those tribal districts of Israel which in the days of idolatrous Jeroboam revolted from the rule of David's royal line. In the prophecies of Isaiah it is described as Galilee of the nations—the land of darkness and the shadow of death (Isa. 9:1, 21Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. 2The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. (Isaiah 9:1‑2); Matt. 4:14-1614That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 15The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; 16The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. (Matthew 4:14‑16)).
There in the purpose of God Jesus was brought by Joseph. “Directed by God in a dream Joseph carries Him into Galilee whose inhabitants were objects of sovereign contempt to the Jews, as not being in habitual connection with Jerusalem and Judah—the land of Judea—the land of David, of the kings acknowledged by God, and of the temple, and where even the dialect of the language common to both betrayed (Matt. 26:7373And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. (Matthew 26:73)) their practical separation from that part of the nation which by the favor of God had returned from Babylon. Even in Galilee Joseph established himself in a place, the very name of which was a reproach to one who dwelt there, and a blot on his reputation.” While people of Judea looked down upon Galilee, the people of Galilee looked down upon Nazareth. The “guileless” Nathanael, who was himself a Galilean, said of Jesus in mild contempt, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?”
Men were loth to think that the northern province should be the scene of the ministry of the Prophet of Jehovah. Some said, “What! doth the Christ come out of Galilee? Hath not the scripture said that Christ cometh of the seed of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was? Out of Galilee ariseth no prophet” (John 7:41, 42, 5241Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? 42Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? (John 7:41‑42)
52They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet. (John 7:52)). But the speakers forgot that another scripture definitely foretold concerning Galilee of the Gentiles that its people who walked in darkness should see a great light—upon them the Light should shine (Isa. 9:1, 21Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. 2The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. (Isaiah 9:1‑2)).
Many prophets had testified that Messiah would become an object of scorn to men when they saw Him. And their united witness to this character of the King of Israel in His first presentation to the nation was fulfilled by the Lord's residence in Nazareth, the village of Joseph and Mary (Luke 1:26; 2:3926And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, (Luke 1:26)
39And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. (Luke 2:39)). This fulfillment is explicitly stated in the first Gospel: “And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene” (Matt. 2:2323And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. (Matthew 2:23)).
There in the darkest corner of a benighted province, the Lord remained for some thirty years till the time of His manifestation to Israel, increasing “in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Of the events of those years we are not permitted to know more than a fragment (Luke 2:39-62). But who can tell whether we may not learn the marvelous story in a day which is to come?
The Evangelist now records the visit of the Lord Jesus to His own “country” after a period of extended ministry in Capernaum and the neighborhood. Mark had at the commencement of this Gospel showed that the public life of Jesus began from Nazareth: “And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan” (1:9). The history then recounts the manifold service of the Prophet of Jehovah throughout Galilee, but especially in the favored town of Capernaum, which was the scene of most of the Lord's miracles and parables mentioned in the early part of this Gospel.
And it was to Capernaum that His kinsfolk, His mother and His brethren came to expostulate with Him in reference to His service (3:21, 31-35). The Lord who on that occasion publicly repudiated the right of human relationship to interfere with Him as the Servant of Jehovah doing the will of Him that sent Him, now visits with His disciples the place where He was brought up. The former incident showed that He was above the human weakness that would swerve from perfect rectitude through the influence of natural ties. The latter proves the Lord's own consistency with His own instruction to the delivered demoniac in Gadara, “Go to thy house unto thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and how he had mercy on thee” (Mark 5:1919Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. (Mark 5:19)).
The Lord did not neglect Nazareth, despised and debased though it was reputed among men to be. He went to His own, though His own received Him not.
Jesus of Nazareth (the Nazarene) is the term of reference to the Lord most frequently used by contemporary persons of all classes. He was so known not only in Galilee but also in Judea; for when the whole city of Jerusalem was stirred at His final visit, the multitude said, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee” (Matt. 21:1111And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. (Matthew 21:11)). This name too was the one used on the inscription placed in mockery by Pilate upon the cross: “This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”
But if this title is one of dishonor and disrepute among men, angels are not ashamed to use it. The angel at the tomb said to Mary Magdalene, “Be not affrighted: ye seek Jesus of Nazareth which was crucified; he is risen; he is not here; behold the place where they laid him” (Mark 16:66And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. (Mark 16:6)). To Jesus of Nazareth the apostles in their preaching testified expressly under this designation as the crucified but risen and glorified Messiah and Lord (Acts 2:22; 3:6; 4:10; 10:3822Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: (Acts 2:22)
6Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. (Acts 3:6)
10Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. (Acts 4:10)
38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (Acts 10:38)). And more striking still, the exalted One Himself speaking from the glory to Saul of Tarsus, the bigoted Jew and haughty Pharisee, declared Himself under that name of reproach “I am Jesus of Nazareth whom thou persecutest” (Acts 22:88And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. (Acts 22:8)).
WAS THIS A SECOND VISIT?
The Lord went to Nazareth on this occasion in His public capacity as the Prophet of Jehovah and the anointed King of Israel, accompanied by the apostles who had devoted themselves to His service. In this respect this official visit seems to be distinguished from the previous occasion when the Lord made the announcement of His Messiahship in the synagogue there (Luke 4:16-2116And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 17And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 20And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. (Luke 4:16‑21)).
The two accounts, however, are supposed by some to have reference to the same event. And there are undoubtedly points of resemblance between the narratives as given by (a) Matthew and Mark, and (b) by Luke. For instance,
(1) In both cases, the words of our Lord uttered in the synagogue excite the astonishment and envy of the townsfolk of Nazareth.
(2) In both cases the Lord cites the same proverb, viz., “A prophet is not without honor save in his own country.”
(3) In both cases allusion is made by the audience to the humble origin of the parentage of Jesus.
But there are differences certainly as striking as these resemblances, among which are the following—
(1) In one case the Lord is alone (Luke); in the other He is accompanied by His disciples (Matthew Mark).
(2) The proverb as recorded by Matthew and Mark has the added reference to His kindred and to His house: “No prophet is acceptable in his own country” (Luke 4:2424And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. (Luke 4:24)); “A prophet is not without honor save in his own country and in his own house” (Matt. 13:5757And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house. (Matthew 13:57)); “A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country and among his own kin and in his own house” (Mark 6:44But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. (Mark 6:4)).
(3) In one case His life is threatened (Luke). In the other case, after marveling at the unbelief He heals a few persons before His departure (Matt., Mark).
(4) In one case He left Nazareth to go to Capernaum (Luke); in the other He left Nazareth to go round the villages teaching (Matt., Mark).
The exact chronology of events of the Gospels is a matter of minor importance, and in many cases must remain an open question. But here the records seem to point with sufficient distinctness to two separate visits to Nazareth. The similarities enumerated above are such as might naturally occur in connection with His ministry in the synagogue there on successive occasions. A parallel case in the Gospels is that of the cleansings of the temple-courts at Jerusalem by the Lord, John recording the one at the beginning and the Synoptics that at the close of His ministry.
(To be continued). [W.J.H.]