By T.C. Lo (盧天赐)
It never occurred to me that this conundrum exists. This question was raised by Professor Frank Chan of “Nyack College & Alliance Theological Seminary”, which arouses my interest.
Someone said that Jesus was rejected in Nazareth (His hometown) twice:
• Luke 4 is the first time
• Mark 6:1-6 or Matthew 13:53-56 is the second time.
Is it right?
Let me succinctly analyze the text of the chapter 4 of Luke.
(vv. 14-15) These two verses occur in the middle period of Jesus’ ministry. He often went into synagogues (plural) to teach. It shows that Jesus’ work has begun for a while already.
(vv. 16-22) This is the first sermon delivered by Jesus, and the focus is on announcing that the Jubilee, the year of God’s favor, foretold by the prophet Isaiah, has arrived. Moreover, this proclamation was praised by everyone, which also showed that people accepted it and no hint of rejection. This occurs at the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry.
(v. 23-30) This passage speaks of Jesus being rejected in His hometown. This matter has not yet happened in chapter 4 of Luke until it happens in the middle of His ministry. Luke, however, chronologically moved forward perhaps for the purpose of contrasting the early acceptance (v. 22) against the later rejection. If you read verse 22 again, it is not difficult to understand that the rejection of Jesus does not happen immediately after Jesus’ first sermon, but is consistent with what is to be described in Mark 6:1-6 or Mark 13:53-56.
Conclusion: In the Gospels, there is ONLY ONE record of Christ being rejected by the masses of His hometown, NOT TWO.
