Mark 6
Rejected in his home town
And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. 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? 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. 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. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.
Jesus teaches in the synagogue of his home town. The people who knew him growing up are astonished but take offence: he is only the local carpenter, whose family they know. Jesus remarks that a prophet is honoured except at home, and he can do few miracles there.
What does this mean?
'Carpenter' translates tektōn, a builder or craftsman who might work in wood or stone. 'Offended' means scandalised, unable to accept him. 'Kin' means relatives.
Historical context
People were normally identified by their father, so 'son of Mary' is unusual; interpreters differ on whether it implies anything. Christians understand Jesus' 'brothers' and 'sisters' differently: as later children of Mary and Joseph, as Joseph's children by an earlier marriage (an ancient view common in Eastern Orthodoxy), or as close relatives such as cousins (the traditional Roman Catholic view).
Why does it matter?
Mark says plainly that Jesus 'could do no mighty work there' and 'marvelled' at their unbelief; Matthew's version reads that he 'did not many mighty works' there, and calls him 'the carpenter's son'. The rejection at home anticipates the larger rejection in Jerusalem.
Editorial notes, not scripture.