Bible Strands
Mark 6:4
Then Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his own household is a prophet without honor.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses the skeptical residents of Nazareth immediately after they question his family lineage and take offense at his presence. This declaration occurs during his hometown ministry visit, directly preceding the narrative note that he could perform few miracles there.
The words — ἔλεγεν (elegen) means "was saying," framing the verse as a direct response to the crowd's objections. οὐκ (ouk) translates to "not," establishing the negative claim that a prophet lacks honor in familiar surroundings.
The thread — The same declaration appears in Matthew 13:57, Luke 4:24, and John 4:44, where Jesus reiterates that familiarity breeds contempt for prophets. These parallel accounts consistently place the statement at moments of local rejection to explain resistance to his message.
Why it lands — The text records a sociological observation before drawing the practical conclusion that preconceived notions of a person's background can block recognition of their authority. Readers must confront how ordinary familiarity can actively obstruct discernment of divine calling.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
Cross-references
- John 4:44 Now He Himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown.
- Luke 4:24 Then He added, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown.
- Matthew 13:57 And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown and in his own household is a prophet without honor.”
- Jeremiah 12:6 Even your brothers—your own father’s household—even they have betrayed you; even they have cried aloud against you. Do not trust them, though they speak well of you.
- Jeremiah 11:21 Therefore this is what the LORD says concerning the people of Anathoth who are seeking your life and saying, “You must not prophesy in the name of the LORD, or you will die by our hand.”