What does Matthew 13:55 mean?
"Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?" - Matthew 13:55

Matthew 13:55 (KJV) states, "Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?"
This verse comes from the New Testament of the Bible and is part of a larger passage in which Jesus visits his hometown of Nazareth and teaches in the synagogue. The people are amazed at his wisdom and powers, but they also struggle to understand how someone they have known for so long as a humble carpenter's son could possibly possess such wisdom and authority. This verse serves as a pivotal point in the passage, highlighting the tension and disbelief that the people of Nazareth had upon encountering Jesus' teachings.
The phrase "Is not this the carpenter's son?" reflects the skepticism and incredulity of the people towards Jesus. The fact that Jesus was known in the community as the son of a humble carpenter, Joseph, made it difficult for the residents of Nazareth to reconcile this identity with the extraordinary powers and teachings that Jesus displayed. In a society where social status and family background were of great importance, the notion that someone from such a modest background could possess such authority and wisdom was difficult for the people to accept.
The mention of Jesus' mother, Mary, and his brothers, James, Joses, Simon, and Judas in the same verse also serves to emphasize Jesus' human lineage and the earthly familial ties that he had. This is significant as it underscores the very real and human aspect of Jesus' existence, despite his divine nature. It also serves to highlight the incredulity of the people of Nazareth, who are unable to see past Jesus' earthly identity and recognize his divine calling and authority.
In a broader context, this verse also touches upon the theme of faith and belief. The people of Nazareth struggled to accept Jesus' teachings and authority because they were unable to move past their preconceived notions of who Jesus was based on their familiarity with his human family and background. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing familiarity and established perceptions to cloud one's ability to recognize the divine and miraculous in the world around them.
This passage also speaks to the themes of humility and the upside-down nature of God's kingdom. Jesus, the son of a humble carpenter, was given the authority to teach and perform miracles, challenging the world's expectations of who holds power and authority. This aligns with Jesus' teachings throughout the Gospels about the importance of humility and the inversion of worldly values in the kingdom of God.
Furthermore, this verse serves as a symbol of the limitations of human perception and understanding. The people of Nazareth were unable to see past the human façade of Jesus and recognize his true nature as the Son of God. This serves as a reminder that our understanding is limited and that true faith requires us to look beyond the surface and recognize the divine presence in unexpected places and people.
In conclusion, Matthew 13:55 (KJV) is a powerful verse that highlights the struggle of the people of Nazareth to reconcile their preconceived notions of Jesus as the son of a carpenter with his divine authority and teachings. It serves as a cautionary tale about the limitations of human perception and the importance of faith and humility in recognizing the divine in the world around us. It also speaks to the themes of faith, humility, and the inversion of worldly values in the kingdom of God.
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Matthew 13:55 - "Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?"
"Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?" - Matthew 13:55
Psalms 55:13 - "But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance."
Matthew 27:55 - "And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:"
"But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance." - Psalms 55:13
Isaiah 55:13 - "Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off."
Matthew 27:55-56 - "And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children."
Matthew 26:55 - "In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me."
Leviticus 13:55 - "And the priest shall look on the plague, after that it is washed: and, behold, if the plague have not changed his colour, and the plague be not spread; it is unclean; thou shalt burn it in the fire; it is fret inward, whether it be bare within or without."
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"And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:" - Matthew 27:55
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