Matthew 21:11
And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.
Original Language Analysis
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄχλοι
the multitude
G3793
ὄχλοι
the multitude
Strong's:
G3793
Word #:
3 of 14
a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
ἔλεγον
said
G3004
ἔλεγον
said
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
4 of 14
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
This
G3778
Οὗτός
This
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
5 of 14
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
7 of 14
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
προφήτης
the prophet
G4396
προφήτης
the prophet
Strong's:
G4396
Word #:
9 of 14
a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπὸ
of
G575
ἀπὸ
of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
11 of 14
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
Cross References
John 6:14Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.John 9:17They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.John 7:40Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.Luke 7:16And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.Acts 7:37This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.Matthew 2:23And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.John 4:19The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.John 1:21And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.Mark 6:15Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.Luke 24:19And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
Historical Context
Jerusalem's population looked down on Galileans as backwards and theologically suspect (mixing with Gentiles). The religious establishment particularly scorned 'Galilee of the Gentiles' (Isa 9:1). Yet God chose this despised region to reveal His Son, fulfilling the pattern of divine elevation of the lowly.
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways might you limit Jesus to 'prophet' or 'good teacher' rather than worshiping Him as Lord and God?
- How does Jesus's Galilean origin challenge cultural Christianity's obsession with prestige and pedigree?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee—The crowds' confession falls tragically short. Jesus is indeed prophētēs (προφήτης), but He's the Prophet-King-Priest, Yahweh incarnate. Of Nazareth was nearly contemptuous (John 1:46, 'Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?'), yet providentially fulfilled prophecy (Matt 2:23).
Galilee (Γαλιλαία) marked Jesus as provincial, not Jerusalem's elite. The crowd honored Him as a prophet—like Elijah or Jeremiah—when He deserved worship as Lord. This inadequate Christology paved the way for their later rejection: they wanted a prophetic liberator, not the divine Savior who must die for sin.