Then Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his own household is a prophet without honor.”
Parallel translations
- WEB Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his own house.”
- KJV 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.
- NKJV But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.”
- NASB Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not dishonored except in his hometown and among his own relatives, and in his own household.”
- NLT Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus observes that a prophet is honored everywhere except in his hometown and among his own.
Overview
Jesus identifies himself within the prophetic tradition, often rejected by those closest to them. The proverb explains the unbelief of Nazareth and foreshadows wider rejection by his own people. It reminds us that proximity to Christ is no substitute for faith in him.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- John 4:44Now He Himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown.
- Luke 4:24Then He added, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown.
- Matt 13:57And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown and in his own household is a prophet without honor.”
- Jer 12:6Even your brothers—your own father’s household—even they have betrayed you; even they have cried aloud against you. Do not trust them, though they speak well of you.
- Jer 11:21Therefore this is what the LORD says concerning the people of Anathoth who are seeking your life and saying, “You must not prophesy in the name of the LORD, or you will die by our hand.”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Mark drives urgently to the cross, showing Jesus the Son of God as the suffering Servant who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
How Mark 6:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.