And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

MATTHEW 13:58KJV
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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.

Where else these words appear

“unbelief” Greek G570 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
  • Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
  • Romans 11:23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

“there” Greek G1563 · used in 98 verses

  • Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
  • Mark 6:10 And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.
  • John 6:22 The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone;

“works” Greek G1411 · used in 116 verses

  • Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
  • Acts 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
  • Galatians 3:5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?