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.

But {G1161} Jesus {G2424} said {G3004} unto them {G846}{G3754}, A prophet {G4396} is {G2076} not {G3756} without honour {G820}, but {G1508} in {G1722} his own {G846} country {G3968}, and {G2532} among {G1722} his own kin {G4773}, and {G2532} in {G1722} his own {G846} house {G3614}.

But Yeshua said to them. "The only place people don't respect a prophet is in his home town, among his own relatives, and in his own house."

Then Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his own household is a prophet without honor.”

And Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

Commentary

Mark 6:4 records a profound statement by Jesus, reflecting on the common human tendency to undervalue or reject truth and wisdom when it comes from a familiar source. This verse is uttered during Jesus' visit to his hometown of Nazareth, where his teachings were met with skepticism rather than honor.

Context

Having returned to Nazareth, his childhood home, Jesus began teaching in the synagogue. The people there were astonished by his wisdom and mighty works, but also offended, questioning his authority and identity because they knew him only as "the carpenter, the son of Mary" (Mark 6:3). This verse is Jesus' direct response to their disbelief and lack of honor, explaining why he could do few mighty works there (Mark 6:5).

Key Themes

  • Familiarity Breeds Contempt: The primary message is that people often struggle to accept profound truth or divine authority from someone they have known intimately since childhood. Their preconceived notions prevent them from seeing the individual in a new, elevated role.
  • The Prophet's Rejection: Jesus identifies himself with the long line of prophets who were often rejected or dishonored in their own land by their own people. This highlights the challenging nature of speaking God's truth to those who are most familiar.
  • Unbelief's Limitation: The lack of honor and faith in Nazareth directly impacted Jesus' ability to perform miracles there, underscoring the interplay between human receptivity (or lack thereof) and divine power.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "prophet," prophētēs (προφήτης), denotes one who speaks on behalf of God, conveying divine messages and often foretelling future events. The term "honour," from the Greek timē (τιμή), signifies respect, value, or esteem. Jesus' observation is that this respect is often withheld from a prophet specifically within their own community or family circle.

Related Scriptures

This saying is a common theme across the Gospels, emphasizing a universal human tendency. Parallel accounts can be found in Matthew 13:57, Luke 4:24, and John 4:44. This incident serves as a stark example of how unbelief can hinder God's work, even for the Son of God, contrasting sharply with the widespread acclaim Jesus received elsewhere, as seen in Mark 1:27.

Practical Application

This verse offers valuable insight into human nature and the challenges of ministry or witnessing. It teaches us that:

  • We should be careful not to dismiss truth or wisdom simply because it comes from someone we know well, or from an unexpected source.
  • Those who share their faith or serve in ministry may experience greater resistance or skepticism from their own family and community than from strangers. This can be disheartening but is a reality Jesus himself experienced.
  • True honor comes from recognizing the message's authenticity and the messenger's divine commission, regardless of their earthly background or familiarity.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 4:44

    For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.

  • Luke 4:24

    And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.

  • 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.

  • Jeremiah 12:6

    For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee.

  • Jeremiah 11:21

    Therefore thus saith the LORD of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand:
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