For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.
For {G1063} Jesus {G2424} himself {G846} testified {G3140}, that {G3754} a prophet {G4396} hath {G2192} no {G3756} honour {G5092} in {G1722} his own {G2398} country {G3968}.
Now Yeshua himself said, “A prophet is not respected in his own country.”
Now He Himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown.
For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honor in his own country.
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Matthew 13:57
And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. -
Luke 4:24
And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. -
Mark 6:4
But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
John 4:44 KJV states, "For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country." This verse offers a profound insight into the challenges of prophetic ministry and the often-skeptical reception of divine truth, particularly as experienced by Jesus Himself.
Context of John 4:44
This statement by Jesus, or a commentary by John the Evangelist, appears immediately after Jesus' significant and highly successful ministry in Samaria, where many Samaritans believed in Him and His message (John 4:39). After spending two days there, Jesus departed for Galilee. Verse 44 serves as an explanatory note, clarifying why Jesus might have moved from a place of great acceptance to a region where He anticipated a different kind of reception. His "own country" could refer specifically to Nazareth, where He grew up, or more broadly to Judea or even Galilee in general, where familiarity often led to a lack of respect for His divine authority.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The term "prophet" (Greek: prophētēs) denotes someone who speaks forth on behalf of God, delivering His divine message. "Honour" (Greek: timē) signifies value, esteem, or respect. The phrase "own country" (Greek: patris) refers to one's native land or fatherland, emphasizing the local context from which one originates. This statement is a well-known proverb, reflecting a universal observation about how people often struggle to accept profound truth or authority from someone they consider "one of their own."
Related Scriptures
Jesus reiterated this truth on several occasions, underscoring its consistent relevance to His ministry and the experience of God's messengers:
Practical Application
For believers today, John 4:44 offers valuable insights: