King James Version

What Does Mark 6:3 Mean?

Mark 6:3 in the King James Version says “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sis... — study this verse from Mark chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Mark 6:3 · 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.

5

And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Is not this carpenter son of Mary brother of James Joses Judas Simon are not his sisters here with us and they were offended. Carpenter tektōn craftsman builder woodworker. Son of Mary unusual designation normally identified by father. Suggests Joseph deceased. Brother adelphos siblings half-brothers through Mary. Names listed James Joses Judas Simon. Sisters plural at least two. Here with us known in community. Were offended eskandalizonto scandalized stumbled. Nazareth rejection of Jesus. Familiarity breeds contempt. Those who knew Him as child carpenter could not accept Him as prophet Messiah. Offense at His claims. Nothing special in His background ordinary family trade. How could He be extraordinary. Reformed theology recognizes offense of gospel. Christ came in weakness humility stumbling block to those who desire power majesty. Incarnation scandalous God in human flesh from peasant family.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Tektōn could refer to carpenter stone mason general builder. Jesus likely worked with wood and stone. Trade learned from Joseph continued until age 30 public ministry. Manual labor not shameful Jewish culture rabbis often had trades. Paul tentmaker. Brothers James Jude became church leaders authors of epistles initially unbelievers (John 7:5) converted after resurrection. Mary bore other children after Jesus contrary to perpetual virginity doctrine. Nazareth small village perhaps 400 people. Everyone knew everyone. Jesus grew up here but ministered elsewhere. Familiarity hindered faith. Prophet not without honor except in own country own house. Early church faced similar issue eyewitnesses who knew Jesus humanly had to recognize His deity. Modern church sometimes overfamiliarizes Jesus makes Him buddy rather than Lord.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Nazareth rejection teach about how familiarity can blind people to spiritual truth?
  2. How does Jesus humble background as carpenter from peasant family challenge expectations about how God works in world?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 30 words
οὐκ1 of 30

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

οὗτός2 of 30

this

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

ἐστιν3 of 30

Is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

4 of 30
G3588

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

τέκτων5 of 30

the carpenter

G5045

an artificer (as producer of fabrics), i.e., (specially), a craftsman in wood

6 of 30
G3588

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

υἱὸς7 of 30

the son

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

Μαρίας8 of 30

of Mary

G3137

maria or mariam (i.e., mirjam), the name of six christian females

ἀδελφὸς9 of 30

the brother

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

δὲ10 of 30
G1161

but, and, etc

Ἰακώβου11 of 30

of James

G2385

jacobus, the name of three israelites

καὶ12 of 30

And

G2532

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

Ἰωσῆ13 of 30
G2499

jose, an israelite

καὶ14 of 30

And

G2532

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

Ἰούδα15 of 30

of Juda

G2455

judas (i.e., jehudah), the name of ten israelites; also of the posterity of one of them and its region

καὶ16 of 30

And

G2532

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

Σίμωνος17 of 30

Simon

G4613

simon (i.e., shimon), the name of nine israelites

καὶ18 of 30

And

G2532

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

οὐκ19 of 30

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

εἰσὶν20 of 30

are

G1526

they are

αἱ21 of 30
G3588

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

ἀδελφαὶ22 of 30

sisters

G79

a sister (naturally or ecclesiastically)

αὐτῷ23 of 30

him

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

ὧδε24 of 30

here

G5602

in this same spot, i.e., here or hither

πρὸς25 of 30

with

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

ἡμᾶς26 of 30

us

G2248

us

καὶ27 of 30

And

G2532

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

ἐσκανδαλίζοντο28 of 30

they were offended

G4624

to entrap, i.e., trip up (figuratively, stumble (transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure)

ἐν29 of 30

at

G1722

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

αὐτῷ30 of 30

him

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


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 6:3 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 6:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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