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Explanation for:
Matthew
13
:
53
And it came to pass: when Jesus had finished these parables, he passed from thence.
8
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Why the inclusion of 'these'? It is because the Lord had additional parables to share. And why does He transition to a different location? This is due to His intention to spread the message of the gospel far and wide. ‘And coming into His fatherland, He taught them in their synagogue’ (Matt. 13:54). Which homeland of Christ is the evangelist referring to here? It seems to be Nazareth, as it is noted: ‘He did not perform many miracles there’ (Matthew 13:58). However, in Capernaum, the Lord performed wonders, which led Him to proclaim: ‘and thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down unto hell: for if the powers that were manifested in thee had been manifested in Sodom, it would have remained until this day’ (Matt. 11:23). When Christ arrives in Nazareth, He refrains from performing miracles, so as not to provoke further jealousy among the Jews and to prevent their condemnation due to their heightened disbelief. Instead, He presents teachings that are equally remarkable as those wonders. Yet, people, in their foolishness, fail to acknowledge the majesty of Christ's words and instead demean Him by referencing His earthly parentage, despite there being many notable figures who came from humble beginnings. For instance, David was the son of the unremarkable farmer Jesse; Amos, who arose from a goat herder, was himself a shepherd; and Moses, the lawgiver, had a father of lesser stature. Thus, it was reasonable for Christ to evoke awe, particularly since He, with such humble origins, spoke profound truths. This was a clear indication of divine grace rather than mere human scholarship. What ought to inspire wonder is disregarded. Meanwhile, the Lord consistently attended the synagogues to avoid being perceived as a dissenter or an enemy of the people due to His frequent presence in the wilderness."},{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Following the parables shared with the crowds, which the disciples uniquely grasped, He journeys to His hometown to convey His teachings more explicitly and transparently. How did He acquire such profound wisdom and miraculous abilities? The incredulity of the people from Nazareth is remarkable; they marvel at where Wisdom obtains wisdom and how Power comes to possess the ability to perform miracles. Yet, their misunderstanding is quite understandable; they perceive Him merely as the carpenter’s son."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"He referred to \\"these parables\\" as the Lord intended to communicate later, along with others. However, He chose to move on so that others could gain from His presence."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"He referred to Nazareth as His homeland, as it was the home of His mother and earthly guardian, and the place where He grew up. As recorded in Luke, He came to Nazareth, where He was raised (Luke 4:16). Who did He teach? Clearly, those in His homeland. The explanation for His teaching in the synagogues was provided earlier in chapter four."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"After JESUS had completed these parables—the ones about the treasure, the pearl, and the net—He departed from Capernaum. Word of His miracles circulated widely across Galilee and Judea, eventually reaching Nazareth, the place of His upbringing. He was now eager to reveal Himself in His native town."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Departed from there: from the dwelling where He shared the final parables with His followers (Matt. 13:36) and from the locations where these significant occurrences unfolded, specifically from the vicinity of Capernaum."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"He had primarily focused His ministry on towns outside of His own, yet His hometown of Nazareth was now included. Presumably, news of His deeds had reached Nazareth and prepared the hearts of the people for His message, prompting Him to reveal Himself in His own community. Upon His arrival in Nazareth, He entered the synagogue on the first Sabbath, where the congregation had gathered to pray and be uplifted by the Scriptures. Being a small town of around ten thousand residents, Nazareth had but one synagogue. This simple rectangular structure featured a ‘sanctuary’ oriented towards Jerusalem, a revered destination for Jewish prayer since the time of Solomon. In larger cities, synagogues were often built from white marble and adorned with intricate sculptures, depicting grapevines, flourishing rods, and containers of manna. Inside, men sat on one side, while women, concealed behind a screen, occupied the other side, often shrouded in long veils. At one end stood the ark made of painted wood, which housed the Holy Scriptures, and beside it rose a prominent seat for the reader and preacher. In fact, there was no formal clergy; worship in the synagogue was straightforward. Typically, after prayer, two selections from Scripture were read—one from the law and one from the prophets. Because there were no priests or Levites to conduct the service, any literate person, with permission from the synagogue leader, could read and interpret the texts. The reading from the Pentateuch had concluded, leaving only the daily passage from the prophets to be read. The Saviour opened the scroll handed to Him and located a verse from the 61st chapter of Isaiah. The entire assembly stood in anticipation as He began the reading, which usually spanned three to twenty verses; however, Jesus read just the initial two verses: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, for He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” After closing the scroll, He sat down, as was customary, to deliver His message and offer exhortation. \\n\\nThe passage He chose was already significant, but its power and gravitas were amplified by the One through whom it was fulfilled. The eyes of all present were intently focused on this divine speaker, straining to capture each word as He declared Himself to be the Messiah foretold by the great prophet seven centuries earlier. His message radiated love, authority, and power, filling everyone with astonishment. However, as He continued, He sensed a shift in the atmosphere among His listeners, escalating as the unsophisticated and harsh people of Nazareth began to grasp the implications of His statements. It was customary for the Jewish congregation to vocalize their responses to sermons, and soon a murmur of discontent began to circulate throughout the assembly. The once awe-struck expressions on their faces transformed into ones that burned with jealousy and animosity. “Is this not the carpenter? Is He not the brother of craftspeople like Jacob, Josiah, Simon, and Judas? And are not His sisters living among us? Surely, even His own family does not believe in Him!” remarks like these erupted from the crowd. Instead of a trained rabbi schooled by renowned teachers of the law, here stood a local carpenter preaching with an authority unmatched even by the greatest scribes. Likewise, Hillel, when unable to persuade others through his teachings, depended solely on the authority of previous lawgivers. Yet, this teacher, without referring to any external authority, was merely one of their own townspeople! What credentials did He possess to teach? How could He possibly grasp the writings, having never been educated in the esteemed rabbinical schools?"},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"At the end of the discussion, the Lord, wanting to ensure clarity for His disciples, inquired, “Do you comprehend all these matters?” He then shared a succinct parable to illustrate that they should apply the knowledge they had gained about the Kingdom of God, akin to a householder who utilizes both old and new items as needed: every scribe, having been instructed in the Kingdom of Heaven, is like that householder who draws forth treasures both new and old. By grasping the secrets of the Kingdom of God, the Apostles transformed into knowledgeable stewards in a superior manner compared to the Jewish scribes, enabling them to convey the teachings of Christ. As Blessed Theophylact explains, they would engage with both the old and the new law to confirm the former with the latter. In this way, they were tasked with guiding all things towards a singular purpose—the dissemination and establishment of the gracious Kingdom of Christ on earth."}]}
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