Mark 6:2

KJV

And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing [him] were astonished, saying, 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?

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when the sabbath day {G4521} was come {G1096}, he began {G756} to teach {G1321} in {G1722} the synagogue {G4864}: and {G2532} many {G4183} hearing {G191} him were astonished {G1605}, saying {G3004}, From whence {G4159} hath this {G5129} man these things {G5023}? and {G2532} what {G5101} wisdom {G4678} is this which is given {G1325} unto him {G846}, that {G3754} even {G2532} such {G5108} mighty works {G1411} are wrought {G1096} by {G1223} his {G846} hands {G5495}?

Complete Jewish Bible

On Shabbat he started to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They asked, "Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom he has been given? What are these miracles worked through him?

Berean Standard Bible

When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were astonished. “Where did this man get these ideas?” they asked. “What is this wisdom He has been given? And how can He perform such miracles?

American Standard Version

And when the sabbath was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, Whence hath this man these things? and, What is the wisdom that is given unto this man, and what mean such mighty works wrought by his hands?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 6:2 captures the profound and paradoxical reaction of the people in Jesus' hometown synagogue as He began to teach on the Sabbath. Their astonishment at His unparalleled wisdom and the miraculous power evident in His hands quickly morphed into a questioning skepticism rooted in their familiarity with His humble origins. This verse vividly portrays the tension between divine revelation and human expectation, setting the stage for Jesus' subsequent inability to perform many mighty works there due to their unbelief.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' return to "His own country," identified as Nazareth in [Mark 6:1](/mark/6-1 "Mark 6:1 - Jesus Returns to Nazareth"). Mark's narrative consistently portrays Jesus' ministry as one of teaching and healing, often encountering varied responses from awe to hostility. The preceding chapters detail numerous miracles and authoritative teachings, establishing Jesus' reputation. His arrival in Nazareth, His childhood home, is presented as a deliberate act, allowing Him to minister among those who knew Him best. The events of [Mark 6:2-6](/mark/6-2-6 "Mark 6:2-6 - Jesus Rejected at Nazareth") form a cohesive unit, highlighting the Nazareth incident as a significant turning point where familiarity breeds contempt, ultimately limiting His public ministry in that specific locality. This rejection contrasts sharply with the widespread acclaim He often received elsewhere.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sabbath day, a cornerstone of Jewish life, was a time of rest and religious observance, including synagogue attendance. Synagogues served as vital community centers for prayer, reading of the Torah and Prophets, and instruction. It was customary for esteemed members or visiting rabbis to be invited to read from the Scriptures and expound upon them. Jesus, though not formally trained in rabbinical schools, took this opportunity to teach. The audience in Nazareth would have known Jesus not as a recognized religious scholar, but as a local carpenter, the son of Mary, with known siblings ([Mark 6:3](/mark/6-3 "Mark 6:3 - The People's Familiarity with Jesus")). This deep-seated familiarity and their knowledge of His ordinary background created a profound cultural barrier to accepting His extraordinary claims and divine authority. Their question, "From whence hath this man these things?" reflects a cultural expectation that wisdom and power should come from established, recognized sources, not from a humble tradesman from their own village.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 6:2 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Gospel of Mark. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Jesus' Divine Authority and Wisdom**. The crowd's astonished reaction ("what wisdom is this which is given unto him?") acknowledges a quality of teaching and insight far beyond human capacity, echoing earlier observations of His teaching "as one having authority, and not as the scribes" ([Mark 1:22](/mark/1-22 "Mark 1:22 - Jesus' Authoritative Teaching")). Secondly, the verse highlights the pervasive theme of **Human Unbelief and Rejection**. Despite witnessing His profound wisdom and the evidence of "mighty works," their familiarity with Jesus' human origins became a stumbling block, illustrating how preconceived notions can hinder faith. This foreshadows the broader rejection Jesus would face from His own people, as depicted throughout the Gospels. Finally, the mention of "mighty works" (Greek: _dynameis_) reinforces the theme of **Jesus' Miraculous Power**, which serves as tangible proof of His divine identity and mission, even when met with skepticism. The tension between the undeniable power and the people's unbelief is a central dramatic element in Mark's narrative, particularly evident in this passage and its immediate aftermath in [Mark 6:5-6](/mark/6-5-6 "Mark 6:5-6 - Jesus' Limited Works Due to Unbelief").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **astonished (Greek, _ekplḗssō'_):** From the provided Strong's data, this word means "to strike with astonishment." It conveys a sense of being utterly amazed, dumbfounded, or struck out of one's senses. It is a stronger term than mere surprise, indicating an overwhelming wonder or shock that leaves one bewildered. In this context, it highlights the profound impact Jesus' teaching and works had on the hearers, forcing them to confront something entirely unexpected and inexplicable by conventional means.
* **wisdom (Greek, _sophía'_):** According to Strong's, this refers to "wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual)." Here, it denotes a profound, divine insight and understanding that transcends human intellect or acquired knowledge. The people recognized a unique quality in Jesus' teaching that went beyond the rabbinical instruction they were accustomed to, suggesting a supernatural source for His profound understanding of spiritual truths and the Law.
* **mighty works (Greek, _dýnamis'_):** This term, from the root meaning "force," specifically denotes "miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)." It refers to acts of divine power, supernatural demonstrations, or miracles. The people of Nazareth acknowledged that the "works wrought by his hands" were not ordinary feats but powerful, supernatural interventions, further prompting their bewildered inquiry into the source of His authority and ability.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue:"** This sets the scene, establishing the time (Sabbath) and place (synagogue) of Jesus' teaching. It highlights His consistent practice of engaging with Jewish religious life and utilizing established platforms for His ministry. His "beginning to teach" implies a deliberate and authoritative act, not merely a casual conversation.
* **"and many hearing [him] were astonished, saying,"** This describes the immediate and widespread reaction of the audience. The word "astonished" (as analyzed above) conveys a profound sense of wonder and bewilderment. Their verbal response ("saying") indicates that their astonishment was so great it compelled them to articulate their confusion and questions aloud.
* **"From whence hath this [man] these things?"** This is the first of two rhetorical questions, revealing their perplexity regarding the *source* of Jesus' extraordinary abilities. They are grappling with how someone they knew so well, from such a humble background, could possess such profound wisdom and power. This question implies a search for an origin that makes sense within their conventional understanding.
* **"and what wisdom [is] this which is given unto him,"** This second rhetorical question focuses specifically on the *nature* of His wisdom. They recognize it as something "given," implying a divine or supernatural bestowal, rather than something acquired through human study or training. Yet, they struggle to reconcile this divine gift with His familiar, human identity.
* **"that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?"** This clause provides the concrete evidence that fuels their astonishment and questions. The "mighty works" (miracles) are undeniable, tangible demonstrations of power. The phrase "wrought by his hands" emphasizes the direct, personal agency of Jesus in performing these supernatural acts, making His identity and the source of His power an urgent and bewildering inquiry for the people of Nazareth.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 6:2 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question**, seen in "From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him...?" These questions are not posed to elicit information but to express the profound bewilderment and internal conflict of the crowd. They highlight the paradox of Jesus' divine authority emanating from a seemingly ordinary human origin. There is also an element of **Irony**, as the very people who should have been most open to Jesus, knowing Him intimately, are instead the most resistant due to their familiarity. This sets up a tragic irony where Jesus' own hometown becomes a place of limited ministry. Furthermore, the verse uses **Contrast** by juxtaposing Jesus' humble, known background ("this man") with the extraordinary, unexplainable wisdom and "mighty works" that emanate from Him. This contrast underscores the divine nature of Jesus, which defies human categorization and expectation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The astonishment and subsequent questioning in Mark 6:2 highlight a fundamental theological tension: the clash between divine revelation and human expectation. The people of Nazareth, accustomed to Jesus' ordinary life, struggled to reconcile His humble humanity with the undeniable evidence of His divine wisdom and miraculous power. This inability to see beyond His earthly origins reveals a profound spiritual blindness, a common theme throughout the Gospels where human pride and preconceived notions hinder faith. The "wisdom" and "mighty works" point directly to Jesus' unique identity as the Son of God, possessing inherent authority and power, yet this truth was obscured by their familiarity. This passage serves as a cautionary tale, demonstrating how familiarity can breed contempt and how a lack of faith can limit the manifestation of God's power, not because God is unwilling, but because human receptivity is a prerequisite for spiritual transformation.
* [Matthew 13:54-58](/matthew/13-54-58 "Matthew 13:54-58 - Jesus Rejected at Nazareth")
* [Luke 4:22-24](/luke/4-22-24 "Luke 4:22-24 - Jesus Rejected in His Hometown")
* [John 1:10-11](/john/1-10-11 "John 1:10-11 - The World Did Not Know Him")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 6:2 serves as a powerful mirror for our own hearts and minds. How often do we, like the people of Nazareth, allow our preconceived notions, our familiarity with the "ordinary," or our human biases to limit our perception of God's work and presence? We might intellectualize faith, seeking to fit God into our neat categories, rather than allowing His extraordinary wisdom and power to challenge and transform us. This verse calls us to cultivate a posture of humility and openness, recognizing that God often works in unexpected ways and through unexpected people. True wisdom and authority reside in Christ alone, regardless of our human judgments or the channels He chooses. Our challenge is to move beyond mere astonishment to genuine faith, allowing the truth of who Jesus is to reshape our understanding and our lives, rather than letting our familiarity become a barrier to His transformative power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What preconceived notions or familiarities might be hindering my deeper understanding or experience of God's power and wisdom in my life today?**
* **In what areas of my life am I relying on human credentials or expectations rather than seeking divine wisdom and authority?**
* **How does my response to Jesus' "mighty works" (both historical and contemporary) reflect a heart of faith or one of skepticism?**

### FAQ
**Why were the people of Nazareth astonished by Jesus' teaching and works?**

Answer: The people were astonished because Jesus, whom they knew as a local carpenter from a humble background, was demonstrating extraordinary wisdom in His teaching and performing "mighty works" (miracles). This was completely unexpected from someone they had grown up with and whose family they knew well ([Mark 6:3](/mark/6-3 "Mark 6:3 - Jesus' Family")). Their astonishment stemmed from the profound disconnect between His ordinary origins and His undeniable, supernatural abilities, leading them to question the source of His power and wisdom.

**What is the significance of the people asking "From whence hath this man these things?"**

Answer: This question reveals their deep perplexity and skepticism. It's not a genuine inquiry seeking understanding, but an expression of their inability to reconcile Jesus' humble background with His divine authority and power. They were looking for a conventional explanation (e.g., rabbinical training, a known teacher), but Jesus defied their categories. Their familiarity became a barrier to faith, as they struggled to believe that such profound wisdom and power could come from "this man" from their own town. This question foreshadows their ultimate rejection of Him, as detailed in [Mark 6:4-6](/mark/6-4-6 "Mark 6:4-6 - Jesus' Rejection and Limited Ministry").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 6:2, with its depiction of Jesus' rejection in His hometown, serves as a poignant foreshadowing of His greater rejection by the nation of Israel. The people's inability to see past His humble origins ("From whence hath this man these things?") echoes the prophetic words of [Isaiah 53:2-3](/isaiah/53-2-3 "Isaiah 53:2-3 - The Suffering Servant's Unimpressive Appearance"), describing the Suffering Servant who would have "no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him." Though Jesus was the very Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), full of grace and truth, His own people "received him not" ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - His Own Did Not Receive Him")). This rejection, beginning in Nazareth, culminated in His crucifixion, the ultimate act of human unbelief and hostility towards the divine. Yet, paradoxically, it is through this very path of rejection and suffering that Jesus, the Lamb of God, accomplished the "mighty works" of redemption, offering salvation to all who believe. His humble entry into the world, His life of service, and His sacrificial death, though despised by many, reveal the true wisdom of God, which is foolishness to the world but power to those who are being saved ([1 Corinthians 1:18-25](/1_corinthians/1-18-25 "1 Corinthians 1:18-25 - The Foolishness of God's Wisdom")). Thus, the Nazareth incident, far from being a mere historical anecdote, prophetically illustrates the pattern of the Messiah's mission: to come in humility, to be rejected by His own, and through that very rejection, to secure eternal life for a multitude from every nation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 6:42

And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?

Mark 1:21

And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.

Mark 1:22

And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

Matthew 4:23

¶ And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

Acts 4:13

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Acts 4:14

And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

John 7:15

And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?