Mark 6:3

KJV

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? And they were offended at him.

KJV (with Strong's)

Is {G2076} not {G3756} this {G3778} the carpenter {G5045}, the son {G5207} of Mary {G3137},{G1161} the brother {G80} of James {G2385}, and {G2532} Joses {G2500}, and {G2532} of Juda {G2455}, and {G2532} Simon {G4613}? and {G2532} are {G1526} not {G3756} his {G846} sisters {G79} here {G5602} with {G4314} us {G2248}? And {G2532} they were offended {G4624} at {G1722} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Isn't he just the carpenter? the son of Miryam? the brother of Ya`akov and Yosi and Y'hudah and Shim`on? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.

Berean Standard Bible

Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t His sisters here with us as well?” And they took offense at Him.

American Standard Version

Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended in him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 6:3 captures the pivotal moment of Jesus' rejection in his hometown of Nazareth, revealing the profound tension between the townspeople's intimate familiarity with his earthly background and their inability to accept his divine authority and miraculous power. Their deep-seated knowledge of Jesus as "the carpenter" and "son of Mary" became a significant stumbling block, causing them to take offense at the very one who had grown up among them, thereby hindering his ministry in that place.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a broader narrative in Mark's Gospel that highlights Jesus' growing popularity and miraculous power, often contrasted with misunderstanding and opposition. Immediately preceding this passage, Jesus has demonstrated remarkable authority, including calming a storm ([Mark 4:35-41](/mark/4-35-41 "Mark 4:35-41 - Jesus Calms the Storm")), casting out a legion of demons ([Mark 5:1-20](/mark/5-1-20 "Mark 5:1-20 - The Gerasene Demoniac")), and raising Jairus's daughter from the dead while healing a woman with a hemorrhage ([Mark 5:21-43](/mark/5-21-43 "Mark 5:21-43 - Jairus's Daughter and the Woman with a Hemorrhage")). Having performed such extraordinary feats elsewhere, Jesus returns to his "own country" ([Mark 6:1](/mark/6-1 "Mark 6:1 - Jesus Returns to Nazareth")), where he begins teaching in the synagogue. The initial reaction of astonishment from the crowd in [Mark 6:2](/mark/6-2 "Mark 6:2 - Jesus Teaches in the Synagogue") quickly devolves into skepticism and offense in [Mark 6:3](/mark/6-3 "Mark 6:3 - Jesus Rejected in Nazareth"), leading to Jesus' inability to perform many miracles there due to their unbelief ([Mark 6:5-6](/mark/6-5-6 "Mark 6:5-6 - Unbelief in Nazareth")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Nazareth was a small, obscure village in Galilee, not a center of learning or influence. In ancient Jewish society, a "carpenter" (Greek: _tekton_) was a common, respectable trade, often passed down from father to son, involving work with wood, stone, or other building materials. This profession, while honorable, did not carry the prestige of a rabbi or a recognized prophet. The people of Nazareth knew Jesus' family intimately – his mother, brothers, and sisters – and their familiarity bred a sense of ownership and expectation that he should remain "one of them," rather than emerging as a figure of divine authority. This cultural context of knowing one's place and family lineage made it difficult for them to accept that someone from such humble and familiar origins could possess extraordinary wisdom and power, challenging their established social order and understanding of how God typically worked.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several recurring themes in Mark's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **familiarity breeding contempt** or, more accurately, unbelief. The very intimacy the Nazarenes had with Jesus became a barrier to faith, preventing them from seeing beyond his human origins to his divine identity. Secondly, it underscores the **full humanity of Jesus**, emphasizing his ordinary life as a craftsman and his familial ties, which makes his divine nature even more profound and mysterious. Thirdly, the **rejection of the Messiah by "his own"** is a prominent theme, foreshadowing the broader pattern of Israel's rejection of Jesus, as seen in [John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own"). Finally, the incident introduces the concept of **Jesus as a stumbling block** (from the Greek _skandalizō_), where his very presence and claims cause people to stumble in their faith, not due to his fault, but due to their hardened hearts and preconceived notions. This echoes the prophetic words of [Isaiah 8:14](/isaiah/8-14 "Isaiah 8:14 - A Stone of Stumbling").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **carpenter (Greek, _téktōn'_):** This term (G5045) refers to a skilled craftsman, primarily working with wood, but potentially also stone or other building materials. Its use here emphasizes Jesus' humble, ordinary profession, contrasting sharply with the extraordinary wisdom and power he displayed. It grounds Jesus firmly in the reality of human labor and common life.
* **son (Greek, _huiós'_):** The word (G5207) denotes kinship, often direct lineage. Here, "the son of Mary" is a significant identifier. In a patriarchal society where lineage was typically traced through the father, identifying Jesus as "the son of Mary" could imply either a slight (as Joseph is not mentioned, perhaps indicating he was no longer alive or suggesting a veiled reference to Jesus' unusual birth) or simply a common way of identifying someone in a small community. It highlights his direct connection to a known local family.
* **offended (Greek, _skandalízō'_):** This verb (G4624) means "to entrap," "trip up," or "cause to stumble." Figuratively, it means to entice to sin, apostasy, or displeasure. In this context, Jesus became a "stumbling block" for the Nazarenes. Their preconceived notions and familiarity with his human background prevented them from accepting his divine claims and miraculous power, leading them to reject him rather than believe.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Is not this the carpenter,"**: This rhetorical question expresses the townspeople's astonishment and disbelief. Their intimate knowledge of Jesus' humble profession as a _téktōn_ (craftsman) makes it difficult for them to reconcile his ordinary background with the extraordinary wisdom and power he now demonstrates. It implies, "He's just a carpenter; how can he do such things?"
* **"the son of Mary,"**: In a culture where men were typically identified by their father's name, this phrasing is notable. It might reflect Joseph's absence (perhaps having passed away) or serve as another way to emphasize Jesus' known, local family ties, further highlighting their perception of his ordinariness. It underscores their familiarity with his immediate family.
* **"the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon?":** This clause further solidifies Jesus' deep roots within the Nazareth community, listing his known siblings. For the townspeople, these familial connections reinforced their view of Jesus as merely one of them, making it even harder for them to accept his unique authority or divine claims.
* **"and are not his sisters here with us?":** The mention of sisters (plural) indicates that Jesus had at least two, further emphasizing his large, ordinary family. Their presence in the community underscored the Nazarenes' intimate knowledge of Jesus' entire household, intensifying their incredulity at his newfound status.
* **"And they were offended at him."**: This concluding statement is crucial. Despite the evidence of his wisdom and power, their familiarity and preconceived notions caused them to stumble (Greek: _skandalizō_). They took offense, rejecting him because he did not fit their expectations of what a prophet or Messiah should be, especially one from their own midst.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The series of **Rhetorical Questions** ("Is not this the carpenter... and are not his sisters here with us?") powerfully conveys the townspeople's incredulity and disbelief, implying a clear "yes" to their questions and underscoring their inability to accept Jesus' extraordinary nature. **Irony** is central to the narrative, as the very familiarity that should have fostered understanding and acceptance instead became the primary obstacle to faith. Their intimate knowledge of Jesus' humble origins and family life paradoxically blinded them to his divine identity. Furthermore, the scene serves as **Foreshadowing**, prefiguring the broader rejection Jesus would face from the religious establishment and, ultimately, from his own people, leading to his crucifixion. The **Contrast** between Jesus' humble human background (carpenter, son of Mary, brother of siblings) and the divine wisdom and power he manifested creates a dramatic tension that highlights the profound mystery of the Incarnation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The rejection of Jesus in Nazareth is a profound theological statement about the nature of divine revelation and human reception. It illustrates that God often works through the unexpected and the humble, challenging human wisdom and societal norms. The people of Nazareth, blinded by their preconceived notions and earthly understanding, missed the divine presence in their midst. This incident underscores the truth that true faith requires a willingness to transcend human expectations and embrace God's surprising ways, even when they defy logic or familiarity. It highlights the human tendency to judge by outward appearances rather than by spiritual discernment, a theme consistently challenged throughout Scripture.

* [John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - Jesus Came to His Own"): "He came unto his own, and his own received him not."
* [Matthew 13:57](/matthew/13-57 "Matthew 13:57 - A Prophet Without Honor"): "But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house."
* [Isaiah 53:2-3](/isaiah/53-2-3 "Isaiah 53:2-3 - The Suffering Servant"): "For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Jesus' rejection in Nazareth serves as a powerful mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to examine the potential for our own preconceived notions or spiritual pride to hinder our recognition of God's work. Just as the Nazarenes struggled to see the Messiah in the familiar carpenter, we too can be prone to dismissing divine truth or God's chosen instruments if they don't conform to our expectations of status, background, or eloquence. This passage calls us to cultivate a posture of humility and openness, always being ready to receive God's truth, no matter its source, and to recognize His presence even in the most ordinary or unexpected circumstances. It reminds us that true spiritual insight often requires looking beyond the superficial and embracing the profound mystery of God's ways, which are often contrary to human wisdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do my own preconceived notions or familiarity with Christian traditions sometimes prevent me from encountering God in fresh or unexpected ways?**
* **In what areas of my life or ministry might I be tempted to dismiss someone God is using because of their background, appearance, or perceived ordinariness?**
* **How does Jesus' humble background and rejection challenge my understanding of true greatness, authority, and success in God's kingdom?**
* **Am I willing to allow God's truth to challenge my comfortable expectations and even offend my human sensibilities, leading me to deeper faith rather than rejection?**

### FAQ
**Why did the people of Nazareth reject Jesus?**

Answer: The people of Nazareth rejected Jesus primarily due to their extreme familiarity with him. They knew him as "the carpenter" and the "son of Mary," along with his brothers and sisters. This intimate knowledge of his humble origins and ordinary life made it impossible for them to reconcile his past with the extraordinary wisdom and power he displayed. They judged him based on his earthly background rather than the evidence of his divine authority, leading them to take offense and stumble over his identity.

**What does "carpenter" signify about Jesus in this verse?**

Answer: The term "carpenter" (Greek: _téktōn_) signifies Jesus' full humanity and his humble, working-class background. It highlights that the Son of God lived a truly ordinary human life, engaging in common labor. This detail emphasizes that Jesus was not born into a position of worldly power or religious authority, making his divine claims and miraculous works even more astounding and challenging to those who knew him only by his earthly profession.

**Who were Jesus' brothers and sisters mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The verse explicitly names James, Joses, Juda, and Simon as Jesus' brothers, and mentions that his sisters were also present. The most straightforward interpretation, upheld by many Protestant traditions, is that these were the biological children of Mary and Joseph born after Jesus. Some Catholic traditions, however, interpret "brothers" and "sisters" as cousins or close relatives, or children of Joseph from a previous marriage, to maintain the doctrine of Mary's perpetual virginity. Regardless of the interpretation, their presence underscores Jesus' deep familial ties within the Nazareth community.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The rejection of Jesus in his hometown of Nazareth, as depicted in [Mark 6:3](/mark/6-3 "Mark 6:3 - Jesus Rejected in Nazareth"), serves as a poignant microcosm of his broader mission and ultimate fulfillment. His humble origins as a "carpenter" and "son of Mary" were a stumbling block for his contemporaries, yet they are precisely what reveal the profound depth of God's redemptive plan. The very one whom they scorned as ordinary would become the cornerstone of God's new temple, a truth powerfully articulated in [1 Peter 2:7-8](/1_peter/2-7-8 "1 Peter 2:7-8 - Christ the Cornerstone and Stumbling Block"), where Christ is described as "a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence" to those who disobey, but precious to those who believe. This incident foreshadows Jesus' ultimate rejection by the religious leaders and his crucifixion, fulfilling prophecies of a suffering servant who would be "despised and rejected of men" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant")). Yet, it is through this very path of humility and rejection that Christ accomplishes salvation, demonstrating that God's power is made perfect in weakness ([2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Power in Weakness")). The "carpenter" who built with wood ultimately became the one who would build His church, against which the gates of hell would not prevail ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Peter's Confession and the Church")). His willingness to be scorned by "his own" also paved the way for the inclusion of all peoples, fulfilling God's universal redemptive purpose in Christ Jesus ([Romans 11:11-12](/romans/11-11-12 "Romans 11:11-12 - Salvation for Gentiles")).

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

Matthew 12:46

¶ While he yet talked to the people, behold, [his] mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.

Matthew 13:55

Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

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.

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?

Jude 1:1

¶ Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, [and] called:

Matthew 11:6

And blessed is [he], whosoever shall not be offended in me.

Galatians 1:19

But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.