Mark Chapter 6

Beginning in Nazareth, “his own country (patrida, πατρίδα),” chapter six continues describing Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. At Nazareth, Jesus is rejected. He responds with, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.” (Mark 6:4) The reasons Jesus’ townspeople reject him are that they know him and his relatives, and that he is but a carpenter (tektōn, τέκτων). Because of their lack of faith in him, Jesus “could do no mighty work there”. (Mark 6:4) Strictly speaking, explains Pitre, Jesus could perform mighty works even in Nazareth but does not, since God’s mode of relating entails inviting people to collaborate through a free response of faith and since Jesus’ townspeople refuse to partner with Jesus in the gift of faith, Jesus, respectful of this choice does not perform many miracles in Nazareth. “patrida, Strong’s Greek 3968,” biblehub.com, https://biblehub.com/greek/patrida_39.... Brant Pitre, “The 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year B),” catholicproductions.com.