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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadWilliam Burkitt Notes and Observations - Matthew 13:53 - 13:53
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Observe here, 1. Christ's tender and compassionate regard to his own countrymen, the people of Galilee and Nazareth: he preached to them in their synagogue.
2. The effect which his doctrine had upon them: They were astonished at it, but not converted by it; they admired, but did not believe.
3. The cause of their rejecting Christ's ministry was the meanness of his person, the contemptableness of his outward condition, the poverty of his relations: is not this the carpenter's son? Mar_6:3. He is called the carpenter; whence the fathers concluded, that our Saviour during the time of his obscure privacy, wrought at the trade of Joseph his reputed father; and Justin Martyr says he made ploughs and yokes. Sure we are, our Lord spent no time in idleness, though we are not certain how he employed his time before he entered upon his public minstry.
Note, That the poverty and meanness of Christ's condition was that which multitudes stumbled at; and which kept many, yea most, from believing on him. None but a spiritual eye can discern beauty in an humble Saviour: Is not this the son of the carpenter?
2. That it is no impediment to, or hindrance of, our faith, that we never saw Christ's person in the flesh, nor knew his parentage and education; for here are his own countrymen, who daily saw his person, heard his doctrine, and were witnesses of his holy conversation, yet instead of believing in him they were offended at him.
Our Saviour tells them, he doth not wonder that so many of his own countrymen, to whom he had been so familiarly known, did despise his person, and reject his doctrine; a prophet generally has least esteem where he has been brought up; because, perhaps the follies of his childhood, and indecencies of his youth, are remembered and reported to his disparagement.
Learn, 1. That there is a real tribute of honour due and payable to every prophet, or faithful minister of Jesus Christ.
2. That the ministers of Christ, for the most part, have least honour from their own countrymen, to whom they are best known.
3. That although it be so, yet this may not be through their own fault, for Christ was so amongst us.