Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Mark: Chapter 6].
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6:1 {Into his own country} (\eis t•n patrida autou\). So Mt
13:54. There is no real reason for identifying this visit to
Nazareth with that recorded in Lu 4:26-31 at the beginning of
the Galilean Ministry. He was rejected both times, but it is not
incongruous that Jesus should give Nazareth a second chance. It
was only natural for Jesus to visit his mother, brothers, and
sisters again. Neither Mark nor Matthew mention Nazareth here by
name, but it is plain that by \patrida\ the region of Nazareth is
meant. He had not lived in Bethlehem since his birth.
6:2 {Began to teach} (\•rxato didaskein\). As was now his custom
in the synagogue on the sabbath. The ruler of the synagogue
(\archisunag•gos\, see Mt 5:22) would ask some one to speak
whensoever he wished. The reputation of Jesus all over Galilee
opened the door for him. Jesus may have gone to Nazareth for
rest, but could not resist this opportunity for service. {Whence
hath this man these things?} (\Pothen tout•i tauta;\). Laconic
and curt, {Whence these things to this fellow?} With a sting and
a fling in their words as the sequel shows. They continued to be
amazed (\exepl•ssonto\, imperfect tense passive). They challenge
both the apparent {wisdom} (\sophia\) with which he spoke and
{the mighty works} or powers (\hai dunameis\) {such as those}
(\toiautai\) {coming to pass} (\ginomenai\, present middle
participle, repeatedly wrought) {by his hands} (\dia t•n
cheir•n\). They felt that there was some hocus-pocus about it
somehow and somewhere. They do not deny the wisdom of his words,
nor the wonder of his works, but the townsmen knew Jesus and they
had never suspected that he possessed such gifts and graces.
6:3 {Is not this the carpenter?} (\Ouch houtos estin ho
tekt•n;\). Mt 13:55 calls him "the carpenter's son" (\ho tou
tektonos huios\). He was both. Evidently since Joseph's death he
had carried on the business and was "the carpenter" of Nazareth.
The word \tekt•n\ comes from \tekein, tikt•\, to beget, create,
like \techn•\ (craft, art). It is a very old word, from Homer
down. It was originally applied to the worker in wood or builder
with wood like our carpenter. Then it was used of any artisan or
craftsman in metal, or in stone as well as in wood and even of
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Word Pictures in the New Testament
(Mark: Chapter 6)