The Second Visit to Nazareth.

(Mat. 13:53-58; Mark 6:1-6).

Thereupon, Jesus returned “to His own country” (Mat. 13:54; Mark 6:1) i.e. to Nazareth — His Mother’s and Joseph’s (His so-called father) land of birth, and to the place where He was brought up. There, the Lord began to teach His countrymen in the synagogue, amazing them and prompting them to say: “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?” (Mat. 13:54; Mark 6:2). This wasn’t the type of amazement that was shown Him in other instances — this was tinged with scorn: as though, “Is this not the carpenter’s Son? Is not His Mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?” (Mat. 13:55; Mark 6:3). The Nazarenes either didn’t know, or didn’t believe in the miraculous incarnation and birth of Jesus Christ, regarding Him simply as the Son of Joseph and Mary. This is quite inexcusable, as in the past there were many inconspicuous parents who had children that went on to become famous. As an example, such were David, Amos, Moses and others. The Nazarenes should have shown reverence toward Jesus, especially because in having such plain parents, He revealed such wisdom that did not come from human learning but from Divine grace. Of course, this type of disbelief emanates from the usual human envy, which is always insidious. People often look with envy and hatred upon those, that came from their own environment but revealed extraordinary gifts, thereby becoming more prominent than them. Perhaps, Christ’s friends in earthly terms and those of the same age that were in constant contact with Him, didn’t want to acknowledge His extraordinary abilities — precisely for this reason. “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house” (mat. 13:57; Mark 6:4), — although this shouldn’t be so, it is more often than not, inasmuch as people pay more attention to what is being preached, rather than to the preacher; and if someone is worthy to have received Divine selection and calling, he is still regarded as an ordinary person that they are used to seeing, disbelieving the words of his prophecies. In all probability, the Lord adds this people’s adage: “and in his own house,” because he bore in mind that even His own “brothers” did not believe in His Divinity (John 7:5). Jesus didn’t find so much opposition anywhere toward Himself and His teachings than in His own “native” town, where they even tried to kill Him. (Luke 4:28-29).

In Nazareth, the Lord “did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief” (Mat. 13:58, Mark 6:5), because He always performed miracles as a reward for having faith, and not to satisfy idle curiosity or to prove His supernatural powers.