Topical Bible: Anger: The People of Nazareth, Toward Jesus

◄ Anger: The People of Nazareth, Toward Jesus ►

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In the New Testament, the account of the people of Nazareth's anger toward Jesus is a significant event that highlights the tension between Jesus and His hometown. This episode is recorded in the Gospel of Luke, where Jesus returns to Nazareth, the place where He was brought up, and enters the synagogue on the Sabbath to teach.

Context and Setting

Jesus had begun His public ministry and was gaining a reputation throughout the region for His teachings and miracles. When He arrived in Nazareth, He was given the scroll of the prophet Isaiah to read. Jesus read a passage that spoke of the Messiah's mission: "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor" (Luke 4:18-19).

Reaction of the People

Initially, the people of Nazareth were amazed at the gracious words that came from Jesus' lips. However, their amazement quickly turned to skepticism and anger. They questioned, "Is this not Joseph’s son?" (Luke 4:22), expressing doubt about Jesus' authority and identity. Their familiarity with Jesus as a local carpenter's son led them to reject His claims and the implications of His message.

Jesus' Response

Perceiving their unbelief, Jesus addressed their skepticism by referencing a common proverb: "Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown" (Luke 4:24). He further illustrated His point by recounting the accounts of Elijah and Elisha, prophets who were sent to minister to Gentiles rather than to the people of Israel during times of great need. This comparison implied that the people of Nazareth were missing the opportunity to receive God's blessing due to their lack of faith.

Escalation to Anger

The mention of God's favor extending to Gentiles was provocative and offensive to the Jewish audience, who prided themselves on being God's chosen people. The people of Nazareth were filled with wrath upon hearing Jesus' words. "They got up, drove Him out of the town, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw Him down the cliff" (Luke 4:29). This violent reaction underscores the depth of their anger and rejection of Jesus.

Jesus' Miraculous Escape

Despite the mob's intent to harm Him, Jesus miraculously passed through the crowd unharmed and went on His way (Luke 4:30). This escape not only demonstrated His divine authority and protection but also marked a turning point in His ministry, as He continued to preach and perform miracles in other regions.

Significance

The anger of the people of Nazareth toward Jesus serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges He faced in His earthly ministry. It highlights the theme of prophetic rejection and the broader pattern of unbelief that Jesus encountered. This event also foreshadows the ultimate rejection and crucifixion that Jesus would face in Jerusalem, fulfilling His mission as the Savior of the world.

Nave's Topical Index

Luke 4:28
And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Opposition to Jesus.
... he aspired only to gain the people; he reserved ... Not only did incredulous Nazareth
continue to reject him who ... of a Believer," the most immoderate anger and the ...
/.../renan/the life of jesus/chapter xx opposition to jesus.htm

A Journey with Jesus.
... not go to the Passover feast, for the anger of the ... it was known that the young teacher
of Nazareth was among ... side of the lake of Gennesaret the people came to ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxv a journey with.htm

Christ's Sheep
... Lord was willing to be brought up at Nazareth, that he ... him out, a hard taskmaster,
keeping his anger for ever ... that he spoke to the poor ignorant people of their ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon v christs sheep.htm

Nicodemus
... he could not doubt that Jesus of Nazareth was the ... repentance and baptism, and pointing
the people to One ... humility, and peace take the place of anger, envy, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 17 nicodemus.htm

Chapter twenty-three
... gesture, "I am going to ask that Nazareth Avenue Church ... whispered, and there was
a flush of anger on her ... and stood there looking out at the people driving on ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter twenty-three.htm

The Return of Christ to the Earth Itself.
... Whom seek ye?" and they replied, "Jesus of Nazareth," and we ... I will tread down the
people in Mine anger, and make ... the Lord will smite all the people that have ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/7 the return of christ.htm

John i. 43, 44
... a Governor, that shall feed [525] My people Israel." ( Matthew 2 ... any good thing come
out of Nazareth?" And it ... we rejoice, and do nothing that may anger him; let ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xx john i 43.htm

The Risen Lord's Self-Revelation to Wavering Disciples
... they said unto Him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a ... of His universal
appreciation by the 'people,' the charging ... His reproach has no anger in it, and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the risen lords self-revelation to.htm

New Teaching in Parables' - the Parables to the People by the Lake ...
... faint in their tracings to the people; shadowy outlines ... the Kingdom on the part of
Jesus of Nazareth? ... teeth,' chiefly characteristic of the anger and jealousy ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxiii new teaching in.htm

Backsliding.
... the Lord, and I will not keep anger forever." Now ... to sleep he does his work through
God's own people. ... This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth." And again ...
/.../moody/the way to god and how to find it/chapter ix backsliding.htm