“Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?”
The full verse · Matthew 13:54 · KJV
when he was his , he , insomuch were , , hath this man , these mighty ?
Asked by
Crowd: the people of Jesus' own country, Nazareth, gathered in their synagogue, who were astonished at His teaching (Matthew 13:54)
Asked to
Crowd: the people of Jesus' own country, Nazareth, gathered in their synagogue, who were astonished at His teaching (Matthew 13:54)
The Scene
After finishing His parables, Jesus came into "his own country," Nazareth, and taught in the synagogue there on the sabbath day (Matthew 13:53-54; Mark 6:1-2).
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionThe people of Nazareth were truly amazed. They heard wisdom and saw mighty works they could not explain. Gill says they knew His upbringing, "how that he had not been put to school, had never learned letters of men," and so they could not imagine where it came from. Their question was the right one, but they asked it while "looking upon him to be a mere man." Gill adds that they did this "not knowing that he was the wisdom of God, and the power of God."
The Response
What Scripture recordsThe crowd answered its own question with what they already knew about His family: "Is not this the carpenter's son?" (Matthew 13:55-56). "And they were offended in him" (Matthew 13:57). Jesus replied, "A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house" (Matthew 13:57). He did not answer "whence" directly. Instead, "he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief" (Matthew 13:58).
Historical Context
The world behind the wordsBarnes identifies "his own country" as Nazareth, the town where Jesus grew up. The Greek word patris means one's native place or homeland. Luke tells of an earlier visit when Jesus went into the synagogue there "as his custom was" (Luke 4:16). Barnes explains that any Jewish man could address the people in the synagogue if invited, and Jesus often used that opportunity.
The word "astonished" (Greek ekplesso) means to be struck with amazement. The "mighty works" are dynameis, works of power, the word often used for Jesus' miracles.
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyThe people of Nazareth asked exactly the right question: where does this wisdom and power come from? The answer was in front of them. Matthew has already shown that Jesus' authority comes from His Father (Matthew 11:27), and at His baptism the Father called Him "my beloved Son" (Matthew 3:17). But the townspeople could only think of Him as one of their own.
This question stands as a warning about familiarity. Wonder did not lead them to faith. Their amazement turned to offense (Matthew 13:57). Matthew Henry notes that "they should have respected him the more because he was one of themselves, but therefore they despised him."
Look Closer
What astonished the people of Nazareth?
Carry the question into prayer and conversation.
Lord, where has my familiarity with Jesus made me slow to be amazed by Him, and what would You show me if I asked "whence" with an open heart?
A prayer to carry into the day.
- The people of Nazareth were amazed but not changed. What keeps wonder from turning into trust in your own life?
- Tell about a time someone you thought you knew well surprised you with wisdom or ability. How did you respond?
For you, a small group, a friend, or the dinner table.
Amazement is not the same as faith. The people of Nazareth were astonished by Jesus and still did not believe. You can admire Jesus' teaching and works and still keep Him at a distance.
When you find yourself asking where Jesus' wisdom and power come from, let the question lead you to Him rather than away. Bring your "whence" to God in prayer and in the Gospels, where the answer is given: He is the Son to whom all things are delivered of His Father (Matthew 11:27).
This does not mean questions are a sign of unbelief. The question here was a good one. The problem was that the crowd answered it from what they already assumed instead of being open to something new.
Built from the biblical text and checked against trusted commentaries and lexicons. References & Sources
Keep questioning
“Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?”
“And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?”
“From whence hath this man these things? And what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?”
“Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?”