Exegesis
The Son of Mary
Jesus lived and grew up in the town of Nazareth. When he returned to his hometown, Jesus was excited to do great things for the people that lived here and that knew his family. Unfortunately, the people of Nazareth lacked faith in Jesus. They did not believe that a “a carpenter" could have the wisdom to perform such miracles. Jesus had been honored everywhere else except for his own hometown. Faith is to believe in the unseen, which these people did not have. Because Jesus was a son of Mary, the people did not feel he had the wisdom to perform miracles, therefore, they did not believe on faith alone.
The people of Nazareth knew there had to be something different about Jesus as he returned with twelve people following him where ever he went. If he had come into town alone, the townspeople would have treated him the same as they used to treat him, like a regular person. The people of Nazareth referred to Jesus as “this man” because when he left they knew him as Jesus, Mary’s son. Now that he has returned, however, he has followers who claim he performs miracles. His hometown only knew him as a regular person, not the son of God.
On the Sabbath day, Jesus started teaching in the synagogue. His teachings were most likely in parables to match his other teachings in Mark. He speaks in parables so that the people who want to learn more would stay and ask him questions. When Jesus started teaching in the synagogue, however, the townspeople were astounded. They reacted this way because Jesus did not show this kind of wisdom when he was living in Nazareth, so they wondered where he got his knowledge. The people of Nazareth were also offended when he started teaching because they do not know him as anyone holy, but just as a regular man.
Jesus did not anticipate their unbelief. He thought that people from his hometown would believe in him because they knew him and his family. They found it hard to believe in...
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