King James Version

What Does Mark 6:2 Mean?

Mark 6:2 in the King James Version says “And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, Fro... — study this verse from Mark chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

Mark 6:2 · KJV


Context

1

And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.

2

And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

3

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

4

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Jesus' teaching in the Nazareth synagogue created astonishment without producing faith—a critical distinction. 'When the sabbath day was come' (γενομένου σαββάτου, genomenou sabbatou) indicates Jesus followed customary worship patterns, attending synagogue on the Sabbath. 'He began to teach' (ἤρξατο διδάσκειν, ērxato didaskein) shows He took the teaching role, likely invited as visiting rabbi to expound Scripture after Torah reading.

'Many hearing were astonished' (πολλοὶ ἀκούοντες ἐξεπλήσσοντο, polloi akouontes exeplēssonto)—the imperfect tense suggests continuous amazement. Yet their questions reveal the problem: 'From whence hath this man these things?' (πόθεν τούτῳ ταῦτα, pothen toutō tauta) expresses incredulity, not faith. They acknowledged His wisdom and mighty works but couldn't reconcile these with His ordinary origins. Astonishment doesn't equal faith; intellectual recognition of divine power doesn't constitute saving trust. Their question 'what wisdom is this which is given unto him' admitted supernatural origin yet remained skeptical. Reformed theology distinguishes between intellectual assent (acknowledging truth) and saving faith (trusting Christ personally)—the Nazarenes had the former without the latter.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Synagogue worship in first-century Judaism followed set pattern: recitation of Shema, prayers, Torah reading, prophetic reading, exposition/teaching by qualified person, and benediction. Visiting rabbis were typically invited to teach, especially those with growing reputations. Jesus had taught in this synagogue before (Luke 4:16-30), possibly making this a second visit. The congregation's astonishment at His teaching reflected several factors: His authoritative style differed from scribal tradition of citing previous authorities (Mark 1:22), His wisdom exceeded what formal rabbinic training would produce (Jesus hadn't studied at Jerusalem's schools), and reports of His miracles (raising dead, healing incurables) seemed incredible for someone they knew as village carpenter. The cognitive dissonance between Jesus' ordinary background and extraordinary ministry produced amazement without faith—they couldn't integrate the familiar (Jesus of Nazareth) with the fantastic (miracle-working rabbi). Early church fathers noted this as warning: familiarity can breed contempt, and intellectual recognition without heart transformation leaves one unchanged.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Nazarenes' astonishment without faith warn against intellectually acknowledging Christianity's truth while withholding personal trust in Christ?
  2. What role does pride play when familiarity with someone's ordinary origins prevents recognition of God's extraordinary work through them?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 32 words
καὶ1 of 32

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

γινόνται2 of 32

are wrought

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

σαββάτου3 of 32

when the sabbath day

G4521

the sabbath (i.e., shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight,

ἤρξατο4 of 32

he began

G756

to commence (in order of time)

ἐν5 of 32

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ6 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

συναγωγῇ7 of 32

the synagogue

G4864

an assemblage of persons; specially, a jewish "synagogue" (the meeting or the place); by analogy, a christian church

διδάσκειν8 of 32

to teach

G1321

to teach (in the same broad application)

καὶ9 of 32

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πολλοὶ10 of 32

many

G4183

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

ἀκούοντες11 of 32

hearing

G191

to hear (in various senses)

ἐξεπλήσσοντο12 of 32

him were astonished

G1605

to strike with astonishment

λέγοντες13 of 32

saying

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Πόθεν14 of 32

From whence

G4159

from which (as interrogative) or what (as relative) place, state, source or cause

τούτῳ15 of 32

hath this

G5129

to (in, with or by) this (person or thing)

ταῦτα16 of 32

man these things

G5023

these things

καὶ17 of 32

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τίς18 of 32

what

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

19 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σοφία20 of 32

wisdom

G4678

wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual)

21 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δοθεῖσα22 of 32

is this which is given

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

αὐτοῦ23 of 32

his

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὅτι24 of 32

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

καὶ25 of 32

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

δυνάμεις26 of 32

mighty works

G1411

force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)

τοιαῦται27 of 32

such

G5108

truly this, i.e., of this sort (to denote character or individuality)

διὰ28 of 32

by

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τῶν29 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χειρῶν30 of 32

hands

G5495

the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)

αὐτοῦ31 of 32

his

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

γινόνται32 of 32

are wrought

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 6:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 6:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study