MPV Commentary

When Jesus had finished teaching in parables, he left that place.

He returned to his hometown of Nazareth, where he was raised by his parents. This visit is thought by some to be the second time Jesus visited Nazareth during his public ministry, but it's more likely that this was his first and only visit (see Matthew 4:13; Luke 4:16-30).

The people in Nazareth asked, "Where did he get this wisdom and these incredible abilities?" They were not asking out of curiosity or admiration, as some had done before. Instead, they were skeptical and dismissive.

Is this not the carpenter's son? Jesus' parents had raised him in Nazareth, where he likely worked with his father as a carpenter (Mark 6:3).

Isn't his mother Mary? They knew all about his family background and upbringing. Why then did he possess such wisdom and perform such miracles?

Jesus also had brothers named James, Joses, Simon, and Judas. The question arises: were these brothers Jesus' full siblings or half-brothers from a previous marriage of Joseph? Or perhaps they were cousins, as was sometimes referred to in Jewish culture.

The Bible doesn't provide clear answers to these questions, and interpreters have offered various opinions over the years. Some believe that James, who is later called "the Lord's brother" (Galatians 1:19), may be a different person from James, one of Jesus' twelve apostles. The names mentioned here are not found anywhere else in the New Testament.

Jesus did not perform many miracles in Nazareth because of their unbelief. He did heal a few people who were sick (Mark 6:5).