Matthew 13:56

What does Matthew 13:56 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 13:56 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 13:56 means

They mention his sisters as being among them, reinforcing the view that Jesus is simply a local person. The detail emphasizes concrete familiarity and further undermines their willingness to believe his uniqueness. The townspeople’s interrogation reflects a refusal to see the extraordinary in the ordinary. The verse conveys how social familiarity can blind people to spiritual reality and prevent them from receiving God’s work when it appears in unexpected places.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And his sisters, are they not all with us? from where, then, has he all these things?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and his sisters--are they not all with us? whence, then, to this one all these?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence therefore hath he all these things?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then has this [man] all these things?

Context

This verse continues the crowd’s skeptical questioning about Jesus’ background. It heightens the theme that hometown familiarity leads to a lack of honor. The stage is set for the offense taken and Jesus’ response about a prophet’s treatment at home.

v.55Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas?

v.56This passage

v.57And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house.

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