Matthew 13:57
And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐσκανδαλίζοντο
they were offended
G4624
ἐσκανδαλίζοντο
they were offended
Strong's:
G4624
Word #:
2 of 24
to entrap, i.e., trip up (figuratively, stumble (transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure)
αὑτοῦ
him
G846
αὑτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
7 of 24
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
αὑτοῦ
him
G846
αὑτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
προφήτης
A prophet
G4396
προφήτης
A prophet
Strong's:
G4396
Word #:
12 of 24
a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
ἄτιμος
without honour
G820
ἄτιμος
without honour
Strong's:
G820
Word #:
13 of 24
(negatively) unhonored or (positively) dishonored
μὴ
G3361
μὴ
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
15 of 24
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατρίδι
country
G3968
πατρίδι
country
Strong's:
G3968
Word #:
18 of 24
a father-land, i.e., native town; (figuratively) heavenly home
αὑτοῦ
him
G846
αὑτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
19 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
John 4:44For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.Matthew 11:6And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.Luke 4:24And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.John 6:61When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?Isaiah 53:3He 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.Isaiah 49:7Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.Isaiah 8:14And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.John 6:42And 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?Luke 7:23And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
Historical Context
Old Testament prophets frequently faced rejection (Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos), often most severely from their own people. Jesus's experience at Nazareth paralleled Israel's pattern of killing the prophets (Matthew 23:29-37). This proverb was apparently common in the ancient world, attested in various forms in Greek and Latin literature, but Jesus applies it to Himself as the ultimate Prophet. Luke 4:16-30 provides more detail, showing they attempted to kill Him by throwing Him off a cliff.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is it often harder to witness to family and longtime friends than to strangers?
- How does Jesus's rejection by His hometown prepare you for similar rejection when you faithfully proclaim truth?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And they were offended in him (καὶ ἐσκανδαλίζοντο ἐν αὐτῷ)—The verb σκανδαλίζω (skandalizō) means 'to cause to stumble, to take offense.' The imperfect tense indicates ongoing, repeated offense. They stumbled over the σκάνδαλον (skandalon, 'stumbling block') of the incarnation—that God would come in such humble form. This anticipates Paul's teaching that Christ crucified is 'a stumbling block to Jews' (1 Corinthians 1:23). Familiarity bred not faith but contempt.
A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house (οὐκ ἔστιν προφήτης ἄτιμος εἰ μὴ ἐν τῇ πατρίδι καὶ ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ αὐτοῦ)—This proverbial saying appears in all four Gospels (Mark 6:4; Luke 4:24; John 4:44), indicating Jesus repeated it. The double exception (πατρίς 'homeland' and οἰκία 'household') shows rejection at both community and family levels (John 7:5). The word ἄτιμος ('without honor, dishonored') is the opposite of the τιμή (honor) prophets typically received. Jesus identifies Himself as the ultimate Prophet, greater than Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15-18), yet rejected by His own.