Devine Scripture

Matthew 13:55

What does Matthew 13:55 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 13:55 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 13:55 means

The people recall Jesus’ family background—he’s the carpenter’s son, his mother Mary, and his brothers named. This identification underscores their struggle to reconcile Jesus’ divine authority with his ordinary origins. Their knowledge of his family history becomes a stumbling block to accepting his messianic role. The verse shows how familiarity can breed contempt; when greatness emerges from humble origins, neighbors may doubt and reject the extraordinary claim.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Is not this the woodworker's son? is not his mother named Mary? and his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary, and his brethren James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brethren James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Jude:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Is not this the son of the carpenter? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brethren James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas?

Context

After expressing astonishment, the crowd’s familiarity with Jesus becomes the basis for their skepticism. Rather than accepting his authority, they reduce him to a local artisan’s son, setting the stage for offense and unbelief in the following verses.

v.54And coming into his own country he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

v.55This passage

v.56And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 15:47

    And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.

  • Isaiah 49:7

    Thus saith Jehovah, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers: Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall worship; because of Jehovah that is faithful, even the Holy One of Israel, who hath chosen thee.

  • Luke 3:23

    And Jesus himself, when he beganto teach, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,

  • Luke 4:22

    And all bare him witness, and wondered at the words of grace which proceeded out of his mouth: and they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?

  • Mark 6:3

    Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended in him.

  • Luke 24:10

    Now they were Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James: and the other women with them told these things unto the apostles.

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