John Calvin 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)

A prophet is not devoid of honor. I have explained this statement at considerable length, where it occurs in the Gospel of John, ³⁴⁸ (John 4:44).

It may, no doubt, be a general proverb that those who are distinguished by eminent gifts are nowhere less esteemed than in their own country; and this manifests the ingratitude of people, who, the more familiar God becomes to them, are all the more bold to reject Him in the influences of His Spirit.

I readily agree, however, with Chrysostom, who thinks that this proverb was applied in a particular manner to the Jews. But what was usually spoken against the whole nation, Christ now asserts with special reference to His Galilean countrymen, for nowhere did He receive less honor than on His native soil.

He had good grounds for the charge He brings against them: that instead of being the first to accept the grace offered to them, as they ought to have been, they drive Him away from them. For it is truly extraordinary that a prophet of God, whom others warmly receive as a newly-arrived stranger, should be despised in the place where he was born.

³⁴⁸ Our Author’s Preface to his Commentary on John’s Gospel is dated 1st January 1553; while the Preface to the Harmony is dated while the Preface to the Harmony is dated 1st August 1555. This accounts for the former being always referred to as an earlier work. — This accounts for the former being always referred to as an earlier work. — Ed.