Matthew 13:55 Meaning and Explanation
“Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The townspeople, knowing Jesus' family, question how the carpenter's son could speak with such authority.
What Does Matthew 13:55 Mean?
The people of Nazareth recall what they know of Jesus. Is not this the carpenter's son, they ask, naming His mother Mary and His brethren, James, Joses, Simon, and Judas. They remember the ordinary family among whom He was raised.
Their knowledge of His humble background becomes a stumbling block. Because they had watched Him grow in a working household, they could not imagine that heaven's wisdom spoke through Him. The verse shows how the very ordinariness of Jesus' earthly life veiled His glory from those who would not look deeper. It cautions the reader not to measure Christ by outward circumstance but to receive the greatness God has hidden in humble form.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 13:55
What does Matthew 13:55 mean?
The townspeople, knowing Jesus' family, question how the carpenter's son could speak with such authority.