Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 6:4
But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
4. A prophet is not without honour ] He repeats to them once more almost the same proverb which He before uttered in their hearing and from the same place (Luk 4:24).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 4. – 6. See this curious subject explained, Mt 13:55-58.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Experience tells us that familiarity breeds a contempt. Our Saviour (though there was a deeper cause) assigns this the cause why those of Nazareth paid him no greater respect. Unbelief in us bindeth the hands of God.
He could there do no mighty works, he could not, not from a defect of power, but the exercise of Divine power is always regulated by wisdom, and in consistency with his wisdom he could do no mighty works there: for the end of our Saviours miracles being either to convert unbelievers to the faith of the gospel, or to confirm weak believers in it, he foresaw that the performing of miracles there would be without any saving effect, and suspended his miraculous power. Besides, he was highly provoked by their obstinate infidelity, and would not work great wonders amongst them; only be cures a few sick persons.
And he marvelled because of their unbelief: his Divine doctrine was so convincing, and the fame of his glorious works done in places near them was so universal and credible, that there was just cause of his rational wonder that they did not believe. Though our Saviour left them in their infidelity, he did not leave his blessed work, going
round about the villages, teaching. Still preaching appeareth to have been our Saviours great work, how light a thing soever some make of it. I cannot but observe how little reason men have to glory in or to trust to any external privileges: how little other aids and assistances, without the special influences of Divine grace, signify to the begetting of faith in unbelieving souls, and removing their prejudices against the doctrine of the gospel! Christs own country is as bad as any other.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
But Jesus said unto them,…. The following proverb;
a prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house; the same as in Mt 13:57;
[See comments on Mt 13:57]. Only the phrase, “among his own kin”, is here added: very probably some of those that made these reflections, were some distant relations of Joseph, or Mary; for as Jesus was now in his own country and city, and in his own native place, so among his kindred and relations; who envied his gifts and attainments, and objected to him his rise from that branch of their family, which was the most mean and abject.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Comments
1) “But Jesus said unto them,” (kai eleben autois ho lesous) “And Jesus said to them,” to the murmuring fault-finding Jews, who rejected Him, Joh 5:40; Joh 5:43; Joh 8:24.
2) “A prophet is not without honour,” (hoti ouk estin prophetes atimos) “That a prophet is not unhonored,” without a degree of honor and respect, which true prophets and ministers of God should have, Joh 4:44; Mat 13:57; Joh 7:3-5.
3) “But in his own country,” (ei me en te patridi autou) “Except when in his native country,” in the area where he was born and reared, an axiom of life, based on the depravity of man’s nature, Luk 4:24-30.
4) “And among his own kin,” (kai em tois sungeneusin autou) “And among his near relatives,” His own kinsmen, even as Abraham was told to separate himself from his, Gen 12:1; Gen 13:7-11.
5) “And in his own house.” (kai en to oikia autou) “And in his own household,” His own family, which recognizes his humanity, but far too little his Divine burden, and call, Mar 3:31-35; Jer 1:4-10; Act 9:20-22; Act 9:26-29; Act 22:17-23.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
‘And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honour, except in his own country (patris ’autou as in Mar 6:1) and among his own kin and in his own house.”
This may be a general saying rather than a specific claim to be a prophet, although others unquestionably saw Him as one, and it does indicate that Jesus would not shy from the title. But the gist of the saying is clearly that ‘familiarity breeds contempt’. A comparative saying is found in the later, non Biblical, Oxyrhynchus papyrus, ‘A prophet is not accepted in his own country, nor does a physician work cures on those who know him.’
‘Among His own kin and in His own house.’ This may well have been Jesus’ addition to the saying, emphasising that as yet His own family did not believe in Him.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
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.
Ver. 4. See Mat 13:57 ; Joh 4:44 ;
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Mar 6:4 . ., among his kinsmen. This omitted in Mt., . covering it.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Jesus. App-98.
A prophet, &c. Fig, Paraemia. App-6.
but = except.
among. Greek. en. App-104.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Mar 6:4. , country) in which there are many ties of relationship.-, relatives) having many houses [each one having his own house or family].
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Jer 11:21, Jer 12:6, Mat 13:57, Luk 4:24, Joh 4:44
Reciprocal: 2Co 6:13 – be
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
4
In this verse Jesus merely states the fact commented upon in the preceding verse, without expressing any opinion on it either for or against.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Mar 6:4. Among his own kindred. Peculiar to Mark.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
6:4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without {c} honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
(c) Not only has that honour taken from him which is rightly due to him, but also has evil spoken of him and his words are misrepresented.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Jesus quoted or invented a proverb to reply to their rejection. It expressed a principle, namely, familiarity breeds contempt. Jesus implied that He was a prophet, which He was. The people of Nazareth could not even appreciate this aspect of Jesus’ character because they identified Him as someone just like themselves.