Not long after his sojourn in the wilderness, Jesus visited his hometown of Nazareth. He didn't get much of a reception. People had heard that he was reputed to be a prophet, but they shrugged and could not accept that idea. After all, they remembered him as being one of them. Jesus found he couldn't help them much because of their disbelief, though he did lay hands on a few sickly people and relieve their symptoms.
When Sabbath Day arrived, he went to the synagogue. As people remembered this carpenter as a Bible scholar from before the time his family moved to Capernaum, [SL.1a] it was natural that he be asked to read from Scripture. The book of Isaiah was brought to him.
Once he had found the right passage, he read aloud,
The men were outraged. Who did he think he was?! They were very familiar with him. He was just a carpenter and a carpenter's son. This nobody is making himself the Messiah or somebody like that!?
Jesus commented, “No doubt you will say to me, Doctor, heal yourself. Whatever you did at Capernaum, do here in your home territory. I mean it when I tell you: no prophet goes without honor — except in his home area.
"But, think about this: There were many widows in Israel when the sky was shut up for three and a half years and famine gripped the whole land. But Elijah was not sent to any of them. Instead, he was sent to Zarephath in Sidon, to a widow there. Likewise, Israel was full of lepers during the prophet Elisha's time, but none of them were cured. Instead, Naaman the Syrian was healed."
At these words, the men rose up and seized him, dragging Jesus to the edge of the cliff on which Nazareth was built in order to throw him from it. But he passed through their midst and went on his way. Had they been able to see it, here was the miraculous sign that they had demanded.
From thenceforth, Jesus began proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, urging hearers to turn away from their usual ways and to believe the good news he had for them. "The time is fulfilled," he declared, "and the kingdom is drawn near."
Next Page: Section 9
https://secretpath108.blogspot.com/2021/01/less-john-more-jesus-herod-antipas.html
When Sabbath Day arrived, he went to the synagogue. As people remembered this carpenter as a Bible scholar from before the time his family moved to Capernaum, [SL.1a] it was natural that he be asked to read from Scripture. The book of Isaiah was brought to him.
Once he had found the right passage, he read aloud,
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,After doing the reading, he sat down and said, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your ears."
because he anointed me to declare good news to the poor,
he has sent me to proclaim release to the captives,
and the recovering of sight to the blind,
to set free those who are abused,
to announce the wonderful Year of the Lord. [SL.1]
The men were outraged. Who did he think he was?! They were very familiar with him. He was just a carpenter and a carpenter's son. This nobody is making himself the Messiah or somebody like that!?
Jesus commented, “No doubt you will say to me, Doctor, heal yourself. Whatever you did at Capernaum, do here in your home territory. I mean it when I tell you: no prophet goes without honor — except in his home area.
Or, as we would say today, familiarity breeds contempt.
"But, think about this: There were many widows in Israel when the sky was shut up for three and a half years and famine gripped the whole land. But Elijah was not sent to any of them. Instead, he was sent to Zarephath in Sidon, to a widow there. Likewise, Israel was full of lepers during the prophet Elisha's time, but none of them were cured. Instead, Naaman the Syrian was healed."
Jesus knows that his audience expects to see divine proof that he is authorized to declare the messianic kingdom as happening right then. So he contrasts the proverb he knows is on the minds of congregants with another saying, one that is just about to be fulfilled. That is, his hearers expect him to show his power by doing a miracle in his old home area. But he refuses, and instead tells them that God doesn't necessarily favor Jews.
Later on, after Jewish elders declared Christianity un-Jewish, the apostles certainly recalled this incident (which was likely relayed to them by local witnesses). [SL.2]
Later on, after Jewish elders declared Christianity un-Jewish, the apostles certainly recalled this incident (which was likely relayed to them by local witnesses). [SL.2]
At these words, the men rose up and seized him, dragging Jesus to the edge of the cliff on which Nazareth was built in order to throw him from it. But he passed through their midst and went on his way. Had they been able to see it, here was the miraculous sign that they had demanded.
From thenceforth, Jesus began proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, urging hearers to turn away from their usual ways and to believe the good news he had for them. "The time is fulfilled," he declared, "and the kingdom is drawn near."
The spiritual time had arrived for the termination of the Old Era and the launch of a New Era.
An interpretation of Mark's narrative holds that God had Jesus wait until after Dunker John's death before he began boldly announcing the kingdom. Before then, John had had that task.
Also, at this late date, we cannot say with confidence whether Jesus formally began his ministry in Nazareth, in Capernaum or elsewhere.
An interpretation of Mark's narrative holds that God had Jesus wait until after Dunker John's death before he began boldly announcing the kingdom. Before then, John had had that task.
Also, at this late date, we cannot say with confidence whether Jesus formally began his ministry in Nazareth, in Capernaum or elsewhere.
Next Page: Section 9
https://secretpath108.blogspot.com/2021/01/less-john-more-jesus-herod-antipas.html
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