What does Matthew 13:56 Mean?

Context Summary

God's truth is always new and always old. It is as fresh as the morning breeze for each coming generation. But however stated, the fundamental facts are invariable. Let us store our minds and hearts with holy and helpful thoughts, so as to deal them out as the occasions serve.

Compare Matthew 13:53 with Luke 4:16-30. The question His townspeople put is stated a little differently in Mark 6:3. Till He left home, at the age of thirty, for His baptism, our Lord evidently worked with His hands. Perhaps the full wonder of His nature was not realized even by Himself. But surely none can despise manual toil when the Son of man wrought at the bench, making, according to the old tradition, implements of husbandry.

Sons and daughters were born to Joseph and Mary, whose names are here given. Alas, that we do not see the glory in common, familiar people and circumstances! Never forget that the absence of expectant faith does more to limit the progress of the gospel than the lack of funds! [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 13

¹  The parable of the sower and the seed;
¹⁸  the explanation of it
²⁴  The parable of the weeds;
³¹  of the mustard seed;
³³  of the leaven;
³⁶  explanation of the parable of the weeds
⁴⁴  The parable of the hidden treasure;
⁴⁵  of the pearl;
⁴⁷  of the drag net cast into the sea
⁵³  Jesus is a prophet without honor in his own country