Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 13:55-56

"Is not this the carpenter`s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?" — Matthew 13:55-56 (ASV)

His background seemed to them to be most humble. He had come from among them. His reputed father was a village artisan. His mother was plain Mary, and His relatives were rather ordinary people.

This should have pleased and encouraged them, but it did not. They grew sarcastic and dwelt on the family names of James, Joses, Simon, and Judas. They hinted that He could not have learned much wisdom in a carpenter’s shop, and since He had not been among the rabbis to obtain a superior education, He could not really know much.

How could He have achieved such eminence? He was a mere nobody. Why, they knew Him from the time His parents lost Him when they went up to the feast at Jerusalem! They could not listen to the talk of the carpenter’s son.