What is the meaning of Matthew 13:56? “Aren’t all His sisters with us as well?” • The townspeople of Nazareth point to the very ordinary presence of Jesus’ sisters among them, underscoring His genuine humanity and normal family life (Mark 6:3). • Scripture consistently presents Jesus as the “firstborn” of Mary (Luke 2:7), implying that other children followed—literal brothers and sisters who grew up in the same household. • Their familiarity bred contempt; the people reasoned that because they knew His family, nothing extraordinary could come from Him. This echoes John 1:46, where Nathanael initially doubts anything good can come from Nazareth. • Unbelief even extended to His siblings; “even His own brothers did not believe in Him” at first (John 7:5). After the resurrection, however, they joined the early church in prayer (Acts 1:14), and James became a leader in Jerusalem (Galatians 1:19). • The mention of sisters highlights how fully God entered our world: Jesus grew up in a real family, yet remained sinless (Hebrews 4:15), fulfilling Isaiah 7:14’s promise of Immanuel—God with us. “Where then did this man get all these things?” • The same neighbors who watched Jesus mature could not explain the authority behind His teaching and miracles (Matthew 13:54–55; Mark 6:2). Their question reveals spiritual blindness rather than sincere inquiry. • They saw only “this man,” the carpenter’s son, missing that “the Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him” (Isaiah 11:2). As John 7:15 records, crowds later marveled, “How does this man have such learning without having studied?” • Jesus Himself answers elsewhere: “My teaching is not My own; it comes from Him who sent Me” (John 7:16) and “the Father who dwells in Me does His works” (John 14:10). • Peter affirms at Pentecost that God authenticated Jesus “by miracles, wonders, and signs” (Acts 2:22). The origin of “all these things” is the Father, demonstrating that Jesus is both fully man and fully God. • Their rejection fulfills the pattern of prophets without honor in their hometowns (Luke 4:24) and showcases the danger of valuing familiarity over faith (1 Corinthians 1:27). summary Matthew 13:56 records hometown skepticism that failed to see beyond Jesus’ familiar family ties and humble upbringing. His literal sisters living among them proved His real humanity, while their question about His wisdom and power exposed hearts unwilling to acknowledge His divine mission. Scripture answers both doubts: Jesus had a genuine earthly family, and He received His teaching and miracles directly from the Father. Recognizing both truths invites us to honor the Lord who became one of us yet speaks and acts as God Himself. |
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