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?
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
2 of 26
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
οὗτός
that he
G3778
οὗτός
that he
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
4 of 26
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
6 of 26
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸς
the son
G5207
υἱὸς
the son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
8 of 26
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
οὗ
whose
G3739
οὗ
whose
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
10 of 26
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
οἴδαμεν
know
G1492
οἴδαμεν
know
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
12 of 26
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατέρα
father
G3962
πατέρα
father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
14 of 26
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μητέρα
mother
G3384
μητέρα
mother
Strong's:
G3384
Word #:
17 of 26
a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)
πῶς
how is it
G4459
πῶς
how is it
Strong's:
G4459
Word #:
18 of 26
an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
20 of 26
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
οὗτός
that he
G3778
οὗτός
that he
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
21 of 26
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
ὅτι
G3754
Ἐκ
from
G1537
Ἐκ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
23 of 26
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Luke 4:22And 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?Mark 6:3Is 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.
Historical Context
This objection appears throughout the Gospels (Matthew 13:55, Mark 6:3). Knowledge of Jesus' family made His claims seem presumptuous. They couldn't reconcile His ordinary background with His extraordinary claims.
Questions for Reflection
- How does familiarity sometimes blind us to recognizing God's work in ordinary circumstances?
- What does their inability to accept Jesus' divine origin despite knowing His human family teach about the incarnation's mystery?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Their question 'Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know?' shows familiarity breeding contempt. Knowing His earthly origins, they cannot fathom His heavenly origin. This illustrates how human reasoning based on natural knowledge can blind us to supernatural reality. The incarnation's scandal is precisely this: the eternal Word became flesh with identifiable human parents.