Jesus Reads in the Nazareth Synagogue

Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. On the Sabbath he went into the synagogue, as he usually did. He stood up to read, and the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him.

Jesus found the place in Isaiah that spoke of the Lord's Spirit being on him. It spoke of good news for the poor, release for captives, sight for the blind, help for those who were crushed, and the Lord's time of favour.

Then Jesus closed the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. Everyone in the synagogue was watching him closely. He began to tell them that this Scripture had now been fulfilled as they listened.

The people marvelled at his gracious words, yet they also said, 'Isn't this Joseph's son?' Jesus said they would want signs in their hometown, but a prophet is not accepted there. He reminded them that Elijah was sent to a widow in Sidon, and Naaman the Syrian was the one cleansed in Elisha's day.

When the people in the synagogue heard this, they became full of anger. They drove Jesus out of the town and led him to the brow of the hill, intending to throw him down. But Jesus passed through the middle of them and went on his way. Why do you think his words made them so angry?