New Testament
Matthew 13:56
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
And don't all his sisters live right here among us? So where did he get all of this?"
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And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
What Matthew 13:56 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, the people of Nazareth are expressing their disbelief about Jesus' wisdom and miraculous powers. They recognize him as someone they have known since childhood, the son of Mary, and they question how he could possess such knowledge and perform miracles. This highlights their struggle to reconcile their familiarity with Jesus as a local boy with the extraordinary claims about his abilities. Their skepticism reflects a common human tendency to doubt the extraordinary when it comes from someone we think we know well. This moment illustrates the challenge of accepting that God can work through ordinary people, and it serves as a reminder that familiarity can sometimes breed contempt or disbelief.
How to apply Matthew 13:56 to your life
This verse encourages us to remain open to the ways God can work in our lives and through those we know well. It reminds us not to dismiss the potential for greatness in familiar faces, as God often uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.
Curated for this public verse page. Matthew Summary
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Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002724966). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Bethlehem, West Bank; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
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Bethlehem
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Keep studying Matthew 13:56
Related Bible verses
Key themes
At a Glance — the Book of Matthew
- Author
- Matthew the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 60-70
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Jewish Christians
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Matthew 13:56 say about Jesus' sisters?
Matthew 13:56 mentions that Jesus' sisters are living among the people in Nazareth, highlighting the familiarity the townspeople have with Jesus and his family. This familiarity contributes to their disbelief in his miraculous abilities, as they struggle to reconcile their knowledge of him as a local boy with the extraordinary claims about his wisdom and powers.
Why did the people of Nazareth doubt Jesus?
The people of Nazareth doubted Jesus because they had known him since childhood as the son of Mary. Their skepticism stemmed from their inability to see beyond their familiarity with him to accept that he could possess divine wisdom and perform miracles. This reflects a common human tendency to doubt the extraordinary when it comes from someone we think we know well.
What lesson can we learn from Matthew 13:56?
Matthew 13:56 teaches us to remain open to recognizing the potential for greatness in those we know well. It serves as a reminder that God can work through ordinary people, and we should not dismiss their abilities or contributions simply because of our familiarity with them. This verse encourages us to challenge our skepticism and embrace the extraordinary in everyday life.
How does Matthew 13:56 relate to the theme of skepticism?
Matthew 13:56 illustrates the theme of skepticism by showing how the townspeople's familiarity with Jesus leads them to doubt his miraculous powers. Their questioning reflects a broader human tendency to be skeptical of the extraordinary, especially when it comes from someone we perceive as ordinary. This moment highlights the challenge of accepting that God can work through those we know intimately.
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