Mark 6:1-4 - A Prophet Without Honor

Mark 6:1-4
1 Jesus went out from there and *came into His hometown; and His disciples *followed Him. 2 When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?” And they took offense at Him. 4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household.”

Message: A Prophet Without Honor

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Jesus leaves Capernaum and heads back home to Nazareth. Thus, the days between the end of chapter 5 and chapter 6 is at least 3 days, as it was about a 40 mile trek between the two cities. His disciples followed Him.

When the Sabbath came - thus there was probably time between his arrival and the Sabbath, He began to teach in the synagogue. At the end of chapter 1, Jesus was preaching in the synagogue in Capernaum, which caused quite a stir and what stuck out to me then was the authority in which he spoke, that he had; he spoke in a way different from the seasoned rabbi's that gave interpretations of what God's words were saying, Jesus meanwhile spoke in a different way: 1:22 - They were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Now, here, in chapter 6, verse 2 is the remark that many listeners were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands? The word miracles is significant because it is a word given by the gospel writers to describe the works Jesus incarnate had done while on earth. It is the idea of Jesus coming into our world and working in this world in a different way. It is a word that is sometimes rendered wonderful works, mighty works, and here as miracles. Jesus did not have a profession as a rabbi or scribe, but rather he was a carpenter and this must have produced a different sort of response in people. It would be like a mechanic suddenly speaking in the church and presenting a greater authority of scripture than the teachers. Jesus was clearly spoken of as someone who was unique.

Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?”  This is the only place that references Jesus as a carpenter. Other versions of this text state that he is the carpenter's son and his likely profession would be a carpenter as well. It is thought that Joseph has already passed because he is not mentioned here. It is not clear if these are his brothers by Mary and Joseph or if Joseph had children from a past relationship or if these were cousins. Whatever the case, they are mentioned to denote the surprise in Jesus and what he was putting forth at this time. And they took offense at Him. They were unwilling at this moment to believe that God could humble himself in this way and choose someone of such feeble means to speak with this sort of authority.

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household.” Jesus here mentions something that is often very true. However unworthy may be the feeling, the inhabitants of a district, or members of a community, do not like to see one of themselves put above them, more especially a junior over a senior, or a man of humble origin over a man well born. We often tend to listen more to acquaintances that we listen to those who know us most intimately--our closest relatives and dearest friends. I have found this to be especially true in the raising of my children. All to often, it is the parents that are not listened to by the children, but the children's friends and families words have a greater weight. This is somewhat normal even though it is hard. For Jesus, those in his community thought it was remarkable that he spoke the way he did, but they also didn't think he was a prophet. Mark 3:21 recorded When His own people heard of this, they went out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, “He has lost His senses.” In chapter 3, I read and studied this idea that it was his family members that were not quick to accept him, but rather think that he had lost his good senses.

Summary - Jesus arrives in Nazareth, about a 3 day journey from Capernaum. He has made it to his hometown and he speaks in the synagogue, as he has done elsewhere. If there was the thought maybe that his own people, in his own hometown would accept him, that was immediately not seen. Instead they took offense of him. Too often we want to see something like us, not different. And Jesus saw this as well.

Promise: Hardened hearts often keep people from believing Christ. The information is there, before them, but their stubbornness keeps them from believing. We pray for Him to change the hearts of sinners and awaken their hearts. I love the words of Ezekiel 36:26 - I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Prayer: Lord, I can identify with this that happened to you. It is hard when the people that we feel closest too often are the ones that are the most harsh and tough on us. Lord, help my heart to be open and to see my own family members with a more welcoming heart. Sometimes I'm waiting to hear good reports from other families about my kids before I really believe it about them. And all too often, I am still tough to believe. Break my heart Lord and help me to be my children's biggest cheerleaders. Thank you for the wife that you have given me and the support and love and acceptance she always expresses towards them. It's hard when her sons reject her or are tough with her. Help them to quiet their hearts and see their mother for the wonderful person she is.