Matthew 13:55-56

13:55 Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother named Mary? ¹  And aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? 13:56 And aren’t all his sisters here with us? Where did he get all this?” ² 

Luke 4:22

4:22 All ³  were speaking well of him, and were amazed at the gracious words coming out of his mouth. They ⁴  said, “Isn’t this ⁵  Joseph’s son?”

John 6:42

6:42 and they said, “Isn’t this Jesus the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”

¹ sn The reference to Jesus as the carpenter’s son is probably derogatory, indicating that they knew Jesus only as a common laborer like themselves. The reference to his mother…Mary (even though Jesus’ father was probably dead by this point) appears to be somewhat derogatory, for a man was not regarded as his mother’s son in Jewish usage unless an insult was intended (cf. Judg 11:1-2; John 4:41; 8:41; 9:29).

² tn Grk “Where did he get these things?”

³ tn Grk “And all.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

⁴ tn Grk “And they.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

⁵ sn The form of the question assumes a positive reply. It really amounts to an objection, as Jesus’ response in the next verses shows. Jesus spoke smoothly and impressively. He made a wonderful declaration, but could a local carpenter’s son make such an offer? That was their real question.