Matthew 13:53-2

Jesus Is Unable To Do Many Mighty Works In His Home Town, But His Mighty Works Impress Herod Who Thinks That He May Be John The Baptist Raised From The Dead (13:58-14:2).

The mighty works of Jesus, which they have heard of through the tales spreading from elsewhere (Luke 4:23), have not impressed His own home town. They refuse to believe that He can do them and so do not bring their sick to be healed. But Herod is impressed and sees Him as John the Baptist raised from the dead.

Analysis.

a And he did not perform many mighty works there because of their unbelief (Matthew 13:58).

b At that time (season) Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Jesus, and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He is risen from the dead” (Matthew 14:1 a).

a “Therefore do these powers work in him (Matthew 14:2). p

Note that while His home town do not believe in His mighty works, in the parallel Herod does so. Centrally we have the conclusion that he comes to. It must be John the Baptist who is risen from the dead.