Prophets and Honor

Mark 6:1-6

¹He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. ²And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? ³Is 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 took offense at him. ⁴And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” ⁵And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. ⁶And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching.

I once heard a speaker say that their expertise on the subject was judged by how far they had traveled to present their information. If they lived in the town where the conference was being held, they were held in low esteem. If they had to travel a great distance, well, that meant they really knew what they were talking about and were received that way. This was Jesus' experience as He goes back to His hometown of Nazareth.

Because this was where His immediate family lived and the townspeople had seen Jesus grow up, there wasn’t much respect for Him there. His ability to heal the sick, drive out demons, and walk on water didn’t have much impact on those who had known Him for 30 years. Even His own siblings didn’t worship Him as the Son of God. Not even close. (That attitude does change. After the resurrection they become ardent followers of Christ.) Jesus even proves Himself in the synagogue, as He expertly teaches from the Law. Instead of embracing what He is teaching, they question where He got the information and wisdom. This is “just the carpenter’s son”. Why would we listen to Him?”

It is entirely possible, then, once the hearer/reader realizes the negative turn the pericope will take, that the present formulation is a slur on Jesus’ parentage: by omitting a name they call into question whether Jesus has a legitimate father and cast aspersions on the circumstances of his conception. By Jesus’ time such craftsmen [those working in stone or wood] were often itinerant, especially those living in villages or small towns. They could not make a living in one place. Like all itinerants who did not stay home to protect their women and family honor, they were often considered shameless persons (lacking a sense of what the community valued).

Voelz, J. W. (2013). Concordia Commentary: Mark 1:1–8:26. (pp. 381–382). St. Louis, MO: CPH.

For me the text spins around “And they took offense at Him.” Taking offense is always a chosen stance and so this community decided to judge Jesus on His years spent simply living in the community versus the miraculous things He was able to do and the stunning insight into God's Word that He possessed. He even declines to heal them as it wouldn't matter. They were choosing not to believe. Miraculous signs were not going to change that.

Jesus “marvels” at their unbelief but then He moves on to other communities where His reception is warmer. Of this we do well to take notice. Jesus does not stay where He is not wanted. No one has ever been forces to believe. Were that the way God’s Kingdom works we would find no unbelievers and love for God would not be love. It would be a forced march. We cannot blame Jesus for moving on and bringing His message to those who would hear.