Why Couldn't Jesus Do Miracles In His Hometown?

Jesus left that part of the country and returned with his disciples to Nazareth, his hometown.  The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.  They asked, “Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?”  Then they scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.” They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.

Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.”  And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them.  And he was amazed at their unbelief.

–Mark 6:1-6

GOD CAN’T DO ANYTHING?

For a while this passage really got me.  The Bible says that Jesus is Creator of the Universe (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2).  Yet this passage clearly says that because of the people’s lack of faith, he wasn’t able to do any miracles.  If Jesus is God, how could this be so?  God is supposed to be able to do anything, right?

Jesus feeds 5000+ people with 5 loaves and 2 fish

THE PURPOSE OF MIRACLES

Jesus performed miracles as proof for his claims.  Often times the word miracles is translated, “signs,” because they showed that Jesus wasn’t just a man, but was God on earth.  This means that when miracles wouldn’t serve this purpose, Jesus wouldn’t do them.

After Jesus feeds over 4,000 with just seven loaves of bread (actually a separate miracle from feeding 5,000 with bread and fish), the Pharisees began arguing with Jesus and asked him for a sign from heaven (Mark 8:11).  Even though this incredible miracle took place, it wasn’t enough for them to place faith in Jesus.  They needed something right then and there, in their face.  A sort of magic trick, if you will.

When Jesus heals the blind man (John 9), the Pharisees wanted more.  Although they had all the proof there was, they thought it wasn’t enough to place faith in Jesus.  They had already made up their minds about him.

Before His death, Jesus appears before King Herod.  Herod was excited to finally see Jesus do a miracle; however, Jesus did nothing (Luke 23:8).  He knew that Herod wasn’t interested in finding truth; he simply wanted to be entertained.  If Jesus had done a miracle, it would have been little more than a magic trick.

The same goes for this story.  It’s not that Jesus was physically incapable of performing miracles at his hometown; it’s that he wouldn’t do them.  Miracles would have only served as magic tricks, as the people had already made up their minds about him; they didn't want him to do any.  Perhaps another way of wording it is that Jesus couldn’t perform any miracles that would have changed their minds, so he did a few healings and then left.  He didn’t waste his time on people who weren’t interested in him.  As one commentary puts it, “Jesus’ miracles were God’s response to human need and suffering, not just magic tricks to impress the crowds.”

He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.  But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

–John 1:11-12

MORE THAN A MIRACLE

So why couldn’t Jesus do any miracles in his hometown?  Based off of what we’ve seen throughout other passages, it’s because Jesus refused to do miracles when he knew it wouldn’t change people’s minds and would only serve as an entertaining magic trick.

Have you already made up your mind about Jesus?  No matter what you hear, see, or read, nothing can sway you?  Take another look; maybe Jesus wants to do something miraculous in your life!