For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.
For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country, х en (G1722) tee (G3588) idia (G2398) patridi (G3968)]. If "his own country" here meant Galilee, His having no honour in it would seem to be a reason why he should not go to it. Hence, some of those who think so render the words, He "went into Galilee, although He Himself testified," etc. But this is against the sense of the word "for" х gar (G1063)], and is inadmissible. Others of those who understand "His own country" here to mean Galilee get over the difficulty by connecting the "for" with what follows in the next verse rather than with what goes before, thus: 'The Galileans received Him, not because they appreciated His character and claims - "for" He had grown too common among them for that, according to the proverb-but merely because they had seen His recent miracles at Jerusalem.' This is the view of Tholuck, supported by Lucke in his 3rd Edition, DeWette, and Alford.
But it is too far-fetched. Hence, some give up Galilee as "His own country," and think Judea, or Bethlehem as But it is too far-fetched. Hence, some give up Galilee as "His own country," and think Judea, or Bethlehem as His birthplace, to be meant. So Origen, Maldonat, Lucke, 2nd Edition, Robinson, Wieseler. But our Lord was never either at Bethlehem or in Judea at all from the time of His birth until the commencement of His ministry; and therefore "His own country" can only mean the place of His early life-the scene of such familiar contact with others as would tend to make Him grow common among them. And what can that be but Nazareth?-which is expressly called "His country" х teen (G3588) patrida (G3968) autou (G846)] in Matthew 13:54; Matthew 13:57, in precisely the same connection; as also in Mark 6:4; Luke 4:24. In this sense all is clear and natural: 'Now after the two days, Jesus, having left the province of Samaria as He had done that of Judea, went into the province of Galilee; but not, as might have been expected, to that part of it where He had been brought up, for Jesus knew that there-in His own country-He would have no honour, according to the proverb: He went, therefore as the reader shall learn presently, to Cana of Galilee.' So Calvin, Beza, Grotius, Bengel, Olshausen, etc.