Matthew 13:58 (KJV)

What does Matthew 13:58 mean?

Matthew 13:58 says that Jesus did not perform many powerful miracles in his hometown because the people there did not believe in him. The verse highlights a direct connection between the people's lack of faith and the limited number of miracles Jesus did among them.

In this scene, Matthew is describing how Jesus returned to Nazareth, the place where he grew up, and faced skepticism from those who knew him as a local carpenter’s son. The verse comes at the end of a passage where the townspeople question Jesus’ authority and identity, and it explains why his miraculous works were few in that setting.

The Greek behind Matthew 13:58

• ἀπιστία (apistia, G570): This word is translated as "unbelief" and means a lack of trust or faith. In this verse, it emphasizes that the people’s refusal to believe was the reason for the absence of many miracles.
• δυνάμεις (dynameis, G1411): Translated as "mighty works," this word often refers to acts of power or miracles. The use of this word underlines that what was limited were not just ordinary acts, but displays of divine power.
• διὰ (dia, G1223): This word means "because of" or "on account of." It makes clear that the cause of the limited miracles was the people’s unbelief, not any limitation on Jesus’ ability.

Why Matthew 13:58 matters

• Matthew 13:58 clarifies that the lack of miracles was not due to Jesus’ unwillingness or inability, but specifically because of the people’s lack of faith.
• The verse helps explain the relationship between faith and the experience of Jesus’ works, which is a recurring theme in the Gospels.
• This statement connects to the wider passage, showing how even those most familiar with Jesus could miss out on his power because of their skepticism.