Topical Bible: Jesus, the Christ: Is Rejected by the People of Nazareth; Lives at Capernaum

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Rejection at Nazareth

The rejection of Jesus by the people of Nazareth is a significant event in the Gospels, highlighting the initial disbelief and skepticism that Jesus faced, even from those who knew Him from His youth. This episode is recorded in the Synoptic Gospels, specifically in Matthew 13:53-58, Mark 6:1-6, and Luke 4:16-30.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus returns to Nazareth, where He had been brought up, and enters the synagogue on the Sabbath. He reads from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, declaring, "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). Jesus then proclaims that this Scripture is fulfilled in their hearing, asserting His messianic identity.

The initial reaction of the people is one of amazement at His gracious words, but skepticism quickly arises. They question, "Is this not Joseph’s son?" (Luke 4:22). Jesus responds by acknowledging their doubt, saying, "Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown" (Luke 4:24). He further illustrates His point by referencing the prophets Elijah and Elisha, who were sent to aid Gentiles rather than Israelites, implying that the people of Nazareth are missing the opportunity to recognize the Messiah in their midst.

The crowd's reaction turns hostile, and they drive Jesus out of the town, intending to throw Him off a cliff. However, He miraculously passes through the crowd and goes on His way (Luke 4:29-30).

Residence in Capernaum

Following His rejection in Nazareth, Jesus relocates to Capernaum, a town on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. This move is strategic, as Capernaum becomes a central hub for His ministry. The Gospel of Matthew notes, "Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali" (Matthew 4:13). This relocation fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah, which speaks of a great light dawning in Galilee (Matthew 4:14-16).

Capernaum serves as a base for Jesus' teaching and healing activities. It is here that He calls several of His disciples, including Peter, Andrew, James, and John, who are fishermen by trade (Matthew 4:18-22). The town witnesses numerous miracles, such as the healing of the centurion's servant (Matthew 8:5-13) and the paralytic lowered through the roof (Mark 2:1-12).

The choice of Capernaum underscores Jesus' mission to reach a broader audience, as the town is a bustling center of commerce and trade, frequented by diverse groups of people. Despite the initial rejection in Nazareth, Jesus' ministry flourishes in Capernaum, drawing large crowds and establishing His authority as a teacher and healer.

Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 4:13-16
And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelled in Capernaum, which is on the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
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Luke 4:16-31
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
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Library

The Master Rejected: the Servants Sent Forth
... THE MASTER REJECTED: THE SERVANTS SENT FORTH. ... Christ gives before He commands, and
sends no man into ... special commands here given were repealed by Jesus when He ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the master rejected the servants.htm

"Is not this the Carpenter's Son?"
... They clung to their sins, and rejected the warnings ... Scriptures stated plainly every
detail of Christ's ministry, and ... to the test of God's word, Jesus need not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 24 is not this.htm

From the Birth to the Ascension of Jesus.
... of his wisdom and of his power but again rejected him-this ... (6) Find examples showing
Christ's power exerted ... any outstanding events in the life of Jesus and his ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xviii from the birth.htm

Found by Jesus, and Finding Jesus
... was one of the places in which Christ had done ... that, when the people repented not,
Jesus uttered over ... will be for you, inasmuch as you have rejected the Saviour ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 40 1894/found by jesus and finding.htm

The Crisis in Galilee
... unrequited, His mercy slighted, His salvation rejected, filled Him ... are sure that
Thou art that Christ, the Son ... To leave Jesus was to fall among sticklers for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 41 the crisis in.htm

Matthew.
... exhibit a faith the like of which Jesus did not ... The Messiah is rejected and persecuted
by his own people in ... promise of the unbroken presence of Christ with his ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 80 matthew.htm

Yet Speaking.
... white flower He was, had rejected Him; and ... can speak true, strong words about Jesus
Christ; we can ... simple, humble, obscure, and commonplace people, whose names ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xvi yet speaking.htm

What Jesus Says of the Meaning of his Miracles
... with this false Messianic idea; and he rejected those who ... that he receives from the
Lord Christ spiritual power ... He lives with the conviction that Jesus is the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/beth/the miracles of jesus/ii what jesus says of.htm

The Gospel According to St. Luke
... 14-ix.6."Jesus preaches, is rejected at Nazareth ... 77} grounds of offence against Jesus
(v.-vi ... The centurion's servant, the widow's son, Christ's description of ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter v the gospel according.htm

The Long, Rough Road He Trod
... leaders rejected John's announcement, and so rejected our Lord ... character and call
of the Lord Jesus made a ... meeting where he was about to openly confess Christ. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on following the christ/the long rough road he.htm