Luke 4:22

All bare him witness. The people of Nazareth had heard reports of the power that attended Jesus’ preaching during the time of His Judean ministry (see on Matt. 4:12). Now they themselves had come under the spell of that preaching. They now knew that the reports had not been exaggerated.

The gracious words. Much more must have been spoken than is here recorded. The flow of gracious, winning words charmed and fascinated the people.

Is not this? The form of the question in Greek implies that the questioners expected an affirmative answer. Their inquiry did not express uncertainty, but rather amazement. Their years of acquaintance with Jesus had led them to look upon Him as a common man like themselves, albeit, perhaps, not so faulty as they were. They refused to believe that He whom they knew so well could be the Promised One, and their lack of faith left them bewildered.

Joseph’s son. Jesus was commonly thought of as “Joseph’s son” (see on chs. 2:33, 41; 3:23). Jesus’ mother, brothers, and sisters were still living in Nazareth (see Matt. 13:54-56; DA 236), and were no doubt in the audience. Probably as the people thought to themselves, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” their glances turned naturally in the direction of these members of the family of Jesus. One can but wonder what were the thoughts of Mary’s heart upon an occasion such as this (see Luke 2:34, 35, 51).