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When Jesus had finished these parables - this cycle or system of parables, affording a general view of the conditions of the Church under the new dispensations - "he departed" from Capernaum. "And coming into his own country," arriving at Nazareth across the lake (see Luke 4:16), he taught the Nazarenes in their synagogue. They had formerly rejected him, and now he receives from them no better treatment. In the narrative before us we see evidence of -

I. THE UNREASONABLENESS OF PREJUDICE.

1. The Nazarenes were astonished at his wisdom.

(1) His parables, the fame of which had probably reached them, evinced it. Not only do they open the mysteries of spiritual wealth. They prophesied also things to come. A fool could no more utter a parable than a cripple gracefully dance (see Proverbs 26:7).

(2) It was evinced in his teaching in their synagogue. Not only was his doctrine astonishing, but also the manner in which he was wont to confound the doctors when they ventured to question him.

2. So were they astonished at his miracles.

(1) He had, probably, formerly wrought miracles among them. The fame of his wonderful works at Capernaum had certainly reached them (see Luke 4:23) They had ocular proofs of his power in that he now "laid his hand upon a few sick folk, and healed them" (see Mark 6:5).

(2) The wisdom and power of Jesus should have conducted them to a believing recognition of his Person. They rested in astonishment. Astonishment is no substitute for faith. It can consist with prejudices. Miracles may confirm, but they cannot produce, faith. Faith is of the heart. It is in the honest heart from God.

3. They rejected the evidence of both. Prejudice has its reasons, but they refute themselves.

(1) The Nazarenes rejected the claims of Jesus because they did not see whence he derived his wisdom and power. The rational conclusion would have been that if he did not receive them from the doctors of the Law or from any human source, then he must have had them from heaven.

(2) They objected that he was the "carpenter's Son." But the carpenter was of the house and lineage of David (see Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:27). And Messiah must be the "Son of David" in order to satisfy the prophets.

(3) They objected that "his mother was called Mary." She was of too humble a station to have any splendid title. Yet was this Mary by descent a princess of the great house of David. Moreover, she was the mother of the Son of God. Mary's miraculous conception seems to have been unknown to them. Prejudices are fostered by ignorance.

(4) They could name his brothers, and his sisters they knew, though they did not deem them worthy of being named. Note: Those who should know Christ best are often most ignorant of him. "Mean and prejudiced spirits are apt to judge of men by their education, and to inquire more into their rise than into their reasons" (Henry). "His sisters, are they not all with us? Note: How thoroughly is Christ one with us" - Immanuel!

II. ITS DIREFUL CONSEQUENCES.

1. It hardened the Nazarenes in their unbelief.

(1) "They were offended in him." Their astonishment was their offence. Prejudice is offended in wisdom, and resists the demonstration of power. Superior merit is envied, and envy turns the knowledge it has to the disadvantage of the envied.

(2) If we approach the Scriptures in a cavilling humour we shall remain in ignorance, and become hardened in unbelief.

2. It exposed them to the reproof of Christ.

(1) "Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house." Note: A prophet should have honour. A man of God is a great man. The Son of God, how great!

(2) But familiarity breeds contempt. The contempt a prophet experiences abroad is nothing to that he experiences at home. Even Columbus, when meditating the discovery of America, had to seek patrons out of his own country.

3. It led to their abandonment.

(1) "And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief." Unbelief is an impediment to the performance of miracles. Hence the question, "Dost thou believe that I am able to do this?" "Unbelief is a sin that locks up the heart of a sinner, and binds up the hand of the Saviour" (Flavel).

(2) Christ did not judge it suitable to obtrude his miracles upon the Nazarenes. "A few sick folk" among them had faith to be healed. "Many" remained in their misery "because of their unbelief."

(3) "The reason why mighty works are not wrought now is not that the faith is everywhere planted, but that unbelief everywhere prevails" (Wesley). "All things are possible" to the faith of promise (cf. Matthew 19:26; Mark 9:23; Romans 1:16; Ephesians 2:8).

(4) Soon after this Jesus finally abandoned the Nazarenes. Their pride and envy and resentment became their desolation and destruction. And those who now reject the claims of Christ are even less excusable than they, since they despise the additional evidence of his resurrection and ascension, and the coming of the Holy Ghost. - J.A.M.

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KJV: And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.

WEB: It happened that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed from there.