While he was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers showed up. They were outside trying to get a message to him. Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and brothers are out here, wanting to speak with you.”
Matthew 12
He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honour, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Mark 6
The double negative in Jesus’ statement can be confusing, so how about “Prophets are given honour and respect in lots of places except in their hometown, among their own relatives, and in their own household”.
What other groups of people could replace the word ‘prophets’? Writers? Scientists? Actors?
What about ‘Children’ … Dads … daughters … grannies …
When have you been astounded at (and a tad critical of) the authority someone has spoken with?
When have you been amazed (and a tad disappointed) that people ignored significant information and actions by discrediting the messenger?