The people were amazed. They "bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words" He spoke. But they also knew Him as the boy from their own town. Barnes says they wondered especially because "he was a native of their own place, and that they had been long acquainted with him," and now He claimed to be the Messiah. Matthew Henry suggests two possible reactions to His humble background: perhaps some concluded He must be taught of God, while others perhaps decided there could be nothing admirable in Him because He was Joseph's son. Gill notes that though they bore Him witness, they did not believe He was the Messiah. Their question holds wonder and doubt in the same breath.

Jesus answered what was behind the question. He said they would quote the proverb, "Physician, heal thyself," and demand the works done in Capernaum, and He declared, "No prophet is accepted in his own country" (Luke 4:23-24). He reminded them that Elijah was sent to a widow of Sidon and that only "Naaman the Syrian" was cleansed in Elisha's day (Luke 4:25-27). The wonder turned to wrath: they "thrust him out of the city" to throw Him from a hill, "But he passing through the midst of them went his way" (Luke 4:28-30).

Nazareth was the town "where he had been brought up," and Jesus went to its synagogue "as his custom was" on the sabbath, standing to read from "the book of the prophet Esaias" (Luke 4:16-17). He read Isaiah's words about One anointed "to preach the gospel to the poor" (Luke 4:18-19).

"Gracious words" is literally "words of grace" (logois tes charitos). Barnes explains them as "The words of grace or favor," tender words about the purpose of His coming. Luke has already told readers that Jesus was "(as was supposed) the son of Joseph" (Luke 3:23).

The people of Nazareth were right about the facts and wrong about the man. Luke has just recorded the voice from heaven at Jesus' baptism: "Thou art my beloved Son" (Luke 3:22). The townspeople saw only "Joseph's son." Familiarity made it hard for them to receive the One they thought they already knew.

Jesus' reply shows something about God's ways. In the days of Elijah and Elisha, God's mercy went to a widow in Sidon and to a Syrian leper, outsiders who received it (Luke 4:25-27; 1 Kings 17:9; 2 Kings 5:14). Being near Jesus, even growing up with Him, does not take the place of receiving Him. Matthew and Mark record a similar question at Nazareth, ending with the note of "their unbelief" (Matthew 13:55-58; Mark 6:3-6).