Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 13:57

"And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house." — Matthew 13:57 (ASV)

They were offended in him. That is, they took offense at his humble birth; and at the poor circumstances of his family. They were too proud to be taught by one who, in family connections, they considered their equal or inferior. People always look with envy on those of their own rank who make claims to uncommon wisdom or superior power.

A prophet is not without honor, etc. This seems to be a proverbial expression. He advances it as a general truth. There might be some exceptions to it, but He was not an exception. Everywhere else he had been more honored than at home. There they knew his family; they had seen his humble life; they had been his companions; they were envious of his wisdom, and too proud to be taught by him.

A case remarkably similar to this occurs in the history of the discovery of America. Columbus, a native of Genoa, had, by patient study, conceived the idea that there was a vast continent that might be reached by sailing to the west. His countrymen had no belief in this.

Learned men had long studied the science of geography, and they had never imagined that such a continent could exist; and they were indignant that he, an obscure man, should suppose that he "possessed wisdom superior to all the rest of mankind united." It is accordingly a fact that he was obliged to seek patrons for his undertaking outside his own country; that there he received his first honors; and that to other kingdoms the discoveries of the obscure Genoese gave their chief wealth and highest splendor.