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?

Is {G2076} not {G3756} this {G3778} the carpenter's {G5045} son {G5207}? is {G3004} not {G3780} his {G846} mother {G3384} called {G3004} Mary {G3137}? and {G2532} his {G846} brethren {G80}, James {G2385}, and {G2532} Joses {G2500}, and {G2532} Simon {G4613}, and {G2532} Judas {G2455}?

Isn't he the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother called Miryam? and his brothers Ya`akov, Yosef, Shim`on and Y'hudah?

“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t His mother’s name Mary, and aren’t His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?

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

Commentary

Matthew 13:55 captures the astonishment and skepticism of the people in Jesus' hometown, Nazareth, as they question His authority and wisdom. Having just heard Him teach with profound insight and witness His miracles, they were nevertheless stumbled by His familiar origins and family connections, unable to reconcile the Messiah with the humble "carpenter's son."

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' teaching in His hometown synagogue, where the people were "astonished" (Matthew 13:54) by His wisdom and mighty works. However, their astonishment quickly turned to offense. Their familiarity with Jesus' upbringing and family prevented them from accepting His divine authority. They knew Him not as the Son of God, but as the son of Joseph, the carpenter, and a brother to others they knew well.

Key Themes

  • Familiarity and Unbelief: The passage highlights how preconceived notions and familiarity can hinder faith. The people of Nazareth judged Jesus based on His human family and humble background rather than His words and deeds, echoing the sentiment, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"
  • Jesus' Humble Origins: The verse underscores Jesus' genuine humanity and His upbringing within a normal family. He was indeed "the carpenter's son," implying a life of manual labor, as also noted in Mark 6:3 where He Himself is called "the carpenter." This humble background was a stumbling block for many who expected a Messiah of royal or priestly prominence.
  • The Identity of Jesus' Family: The explicit mention of Jesus' mother, Mary, and His four named brethren (James, Joses, Simon, and Judas) provides insight into His immediate family. The Greek word for "brethren" (adelphoi - ἀδελφοί) here most naturally refers to biological siblings, children of Mary and Joseph born after Jesus. This is supported by other New Testament references to Jesus' brothers, such as John 7:5, which states His brothers did not believe in Him, and Galatians 1:19, which refers to James as "the Lord's brother."

Linguistic Insights

The term "carpenter" translates the Greek word tekton (τέκτων), which could refer to a craftsman working with various materials like wood, stone, or metal. This suggests a trade requiring skill and hard work, a common profession for many in that era. The term "brethren" (adelphoi) is significant. While it can sometimes refer to cousins or close relatives, the specific naming of four individuals alongside Mary strongly points to them being Jesus' full brothers, born to Mary and Joseph after Jesus.

Practical Application

Matthew 13:55 serves as a powerful reminder not to judge individuals, or even God's work, based on outward appearances, humble beginnings, or prior familiarity. God often chooses the unassuming and the unexpected to accomplish His greatest purposes, as seen in 1 Corinthians 1:27. Our own preconceived notions can blind us to the truth and prevent us from recognizing divine activity right before our eyes. True faith looks beyond human origin and embraces the divine power and wisdom that emanates from God, regardless of the vessel.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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 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 6:3

    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.

  • Luke 3:23

    And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was [the son] of Heli,

  • Luke 4:22

    And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?

  • Isaiah 53:2

    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.

  • Isaiah 53:3

    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.

  • Mark 15:47

    And Mary Magdalene and Mary [the mother] of Joses beheld where he was laid.
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