MARK 6:2 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT And a Sabbath having come, he began to teach in the synagogue. And the many ones hearing him were astonished, saying, “From where to this one are these things, and what is the wisdom that has been given to this one, and such miracles happening by his hands?

UST When it was the Jewish day of rest, he started to instruct the people there when they gathered in the Jewish meeting place. What they heard him say impressed the many people who were there. They said to each other, “We do not know how this man is able to do what he does. We do not know how he is so wise and does such powerful things.

BSB [When] [the] Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard [Him] were astonished. “Where [did] this [man get] these [ideas]?” they asked. “What [is] [this] wisdom He has been given? And [how can] He perform such miracles?

MSB [When] [the] Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard [Him] were astonished. “Where [did] this [man get] these [ideas]?” they asked. “What [is] [this] wisdom He has been given? And [how can] He perform such miracles?

BLB And the Sabbath having come, He began to teach in the synagogue; and many hearing were astonished, saying, "From where to this man are these things, and what is the wisdom having been given to Him, even the miracles such as are done by His hands?

AICNT And on the Sabbath, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard were astonished, saying, “From where does this one get these things, and what[fn] is the wisdom given to him, and such powers being done through his hands?

6:2, what: Or who

OEB When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue; and the people, as they listened, were deeply impressed. ‘Where did he get this?’ they said, ‘and what is this wisdom that has been given him? And these miracles which he is doing?

2DT It was a Sabbath . . . he began to teach in the assembly hall. The many listening were shocked, saying, “What’s the source for these things for him? What is the wisdom that is given to this man and these powers being done through his hands?

WEBBE When the Sabbath had come, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things?” and, “What is the wisdom that is given to this man, that such mighty works come about by his hands?

WMBB (Same as above)

NET When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue. Many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did he get these ideas? And what is this wisdom that has been given to him? What are these miracles that are done through his hands?

LSV and Sabbath having come, He began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing were astonished, saying, “From where [did] this One [hear] these things? And what [is] the wisdom that was given to Him, that also such mighty works are done through His hands?

FBV On Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many of those who were listening were surprised.
¶ “Where does he get these ideas?” they asked. “What's this wisdom he's been given? Where does he get the power to do miracles?

TCNT When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? And what is this wisdom that has been given to him, [fn]that such miracles are done by his hands?

6:2 that such miracles are ¦ and what are these miracles being ECM NA SBL WH

T4T ◄On the Sabbath/On the Jewish rest day►, he entered the Jewish worship house and taught the people. Many who were listening to him were astonished. But some were saying, “This man is just an ordinary person like we are! So ◄we cannot believe that this man is able to teach us about these things and that he has been made very wise {that God has made him very wise} and that he is performing such miracles!/how is it that [RHQ] this man is able to teach us about these things and that he has been made very wise {that God has made him very wise} and that he is performing such miracles?► [RHQ]

LEB And when[fn] the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him[fn] were amazed, saying, “Where did this man get these things? And what is this wisdom that has been granted to this man, and the miracles such as these performed through his hands?

6:2 *Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“came”)

6:2 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation

BBE And when the Sabbath day had come, he was teaching in the Synagogue; and a number of people hearing him were surprised, saying, From where did this man get these things? and, What is the wisdom given to this man, and what are these works of power done by his hands?

Moff When the sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and the large audience was astounded. "Where did he get all this?" they said. "What is the meaning of this wisdom he is endowed with? And these miracles, too, that his hands perform!

Wymth On the Sabbath He proceeded to teach in the synagogue; and many, as they heard Him, were astonished. "Where did he acquire all this?" they asked. "What is this wisdom that has been given to him? And what are these marvellous miracles which his hands perform?

ASV And when the sabbath was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, Whence hath this man these things? and, What is the wisdom that is given unto this man, and what mean such mighty works wrought by his hands?

DRA And when the sabbath was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were in admiration at his doctrine, saying: How came this man by all these things? and what wisdom is this that is given to him, and such mighty works as are wrought by his hands?

YLT and sabbath having come, he began in the synagogue to teach, and many hearing were astonished, saying, 'Whence hath this one these things? and what the wisdom that was given to him, that also such mighty works through his hands are done?

Drby And when sabbath was come he began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing were amazed, saying, Whence [has] this [man] these things? and what [is] the wisdom that is given to him, and such works of power are done by his hands?

RV And when the sabbath was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, Whence hath this man these things? and, What is the wisdom that is given unto this man, and what mean such mighty works wrought by his hands?
(And when the sabbath was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, Whence hath/has this man these things? and, What is the wisdom that is given unto this man, and what mean such mighty works wrought/done by his hands? )

SLT And sabbath having come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing were struck with amazement, saying, Whence to this one these things? and what this wisdom given to him, that such powers are done by his hands?

Wbstr And when the sabbath was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given to him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

KJB-1769 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?
(And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence/where hath/has this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that evening such mighty works are wrought/done by his hands? )

KJB-1611 And when the Sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the Synagogue: and many hearing him, were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? And what wisedome is this which is giuen vnto him, that euen such mightie workes are wrought by his hands?
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation and punctuation)

Bshps And when the sabboth day was come, he beganne to teache in the synagogue: And many that hearde hym, were astonyed, and sayde: from whence hath he these thynges? And what wisdome is this that is geuen vnto hym? and such myghtie workes that are wrought by his handes?
(And when the sabboth day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: And many that heard him, were astonished, and said: from whence/where hath/has he these things? And what wisdom is this that is given unto him? and such mighty works that are wrought/done by his hands?)

Gnva And when the Sabbath was come, he began to teach in the Synagogue, and many that heard him, were astonied, and sayd, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdome is this that is giuen vnto him, that euen such great workes are done by his hands?
(And when the Sabbath was come, he began to teach in the Synagogue, and many that heard him, were astonished, and said, From whence/where hath/has this man these things? and what wisdom is this that is given unto him, that evening such great works are done by his hands? )

Cvdl And wha ye Sabbath came, he begane to teach in their synagoge. And many that herde it, marueled at his lernynge, and sayde: From whece hath he these thinges? And what wyssdome is this, yt is geue him: & soch actes as are done by his handes?
(And what ye/you_all Sabbath came, he began to teach in their synagogue. And many that herd/heard it, marvelled at his learning, and said: From whence/where hath/has he these things? And what wisdom is this, it is give him: and such acts as are done by his hands?)

TNT And when the saboth daye was come he beganne to teache in the synagoge. And many that hearde him were astonyed and sayde: From whens hath he these thinges? and what wysdo is this that is geve vnto him? and suche vertues that are wrought by his hondes?
(And when the sabbath day was come he began to teach in the synagogue. And many that heard him were astonished and said: From whence/where hath/has he these things? and what wisdom is this that is give unto him? and such virtues that are wrought/done by his hands? )

Wycl And whanne the sabat was come, Jhesus bigan to teche in a synagoge. And many herden, and wondriden in his techyng, and seiden, Of whennus to this alle these thingis? and what is the wisdom that is youun to hym, and siche vertues whiche ben maad bi hise hondis?
(And when the sabbath was come, Yhesus began to teach in a synagogue. And many heard, and wondered in his teaching, and said, Of whence/where to this all these things? and what is the wisdom that is given to him, and such virtues which been made by his hands?)

Luth Und da der Sabbat kam, hub er an zu lehren in ihrer Schule: Und viele, die es höreten, verwunderten sich seiner Lehre und sprachen: Woher kommt dem solches? und: Was für Weisheit ist‘s, die ihm gegeben ist, und solche Taten, die durch seine Hände geschehen?
(And there the/of_the sabbath came, hub he at/to to/for teach in of_their/her school: And many, the it heard, surprised itself/yourself/themselves his teaching and said: From_where comes to_him such? and: What for/in_favour_of wise_(people) it_is, the him given is, and such actions, the through his hands happen?)

ClVg et facto sabbato cœpit in synagoga docere: et multi audientes admirabantur in doctrina ejus, dicentes: Unde huic hæc omnia? et quæ est sapientia, quæ data est illi, et virtutes tales, quæ per manus ejus efficiuntur?[fn]
(and done on_the_sabbath he_began in/into/on synagogue to_teach: and many hearing they_were_amazed in/into/on teaching/instruction his, saying: From_where/who to_this these_things everything? and which it_is wisdom, which data it_is them, and by_virtues tales, which through hands his they_are_made? )

6.2 Unde huic, etc. Mira cæcitas. In factis et dictis Christum cognoscere possunt, ob solam generis notitiam contemnunt.

6.2 From_where/who to_this, etc. Wonderful blindness. In deeds/activities and after_saying Christ/Messiah to_know they_can, because alone kind knowledge they_despise.

UGNT καὶ γενομένου Σαββάτου, ἤρξατο διδάσκειν ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ; καὶ οἱ πολλοὶ ἀκούοντες ἐξεπλήσσοντο λέγοντες, πόθεν τούτῳ ταῦτα, καὶ τίς ἡ σοφία ἡ δοθεῖσα τούτῳ, καὶ αἱ δυνάμεις τοιαῦται διὰ τῶν χειρῶν αὐτοῦ γινόμεναι?
(kai genomenou Sabbatou, aʸrxato didaskein en taʸ sunagōgaʸ; kai hoi polloi akouontes exeplaʸssonto legontes, pothen toutōi tauta, kai tis haʸ sofia haʸ dotheisa toutōi, kai hai dunameis toiautai dia tōn ⱪeirōn autou ginomenai?)

SBL-GNT καὶ γενομένου σαββάτου ἤρξατο ⸂διδάσκειν ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ⸃· καὶ ⸀οἱ πολλοὶ ἀκούοντες ἐξεπλήσσοντο λέγοντες· Πόθεν τούτῳ ταῦτα, καὶ τίς ἡ σοφία ἡ δοθεῖσα ⸀τούτῳ, καὶ ⸀αἱ δυνάμεις τοιαῦται διὰ τῶν χειρῶν αὐτοῦ ⸀γινόμεναι;
(kai genomenou sabbatou aʸrxato ⸂didaskein en taʸ sunagōgaʸ⸃; kai ⸀hoi polloi akouontes exeplaʸssonto legontes; Pothen toutōi tauta, kai tis haʸ sofia haʸ dotheisa ⸀toutōi, kai ⸀hai dunameis toiautai dia tōn ⱪeirōn autou ⸀ginomenai;)

RP-GNT Καὶ γενομένου σαββάτου, ἤρξατο ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ διδάσκειν· καὶ πολλοὶ ἀκούοντες ἐξεπλήσσοντο, λέγοντες, Πόθεν τούτῳ ταῦτα; Καὶ τίς ἡ σοφία ἡ δοθεῖσα αὐτῷ, καὶ δυνάμεις τοιαῦται διὰ τῶν χειρῶν αὐτοῦ γίνονται;
(Kai genomenou sabbatou, aʸrxato en taʸ sunagōgaʸ didaskein; kai polloi akouontes exeplaʸssonto, legontes, Pothen toutōi tauta; Kai tis haʸ sofia haʸ dotheisa autōi, kai dunameis toiautai dia tōn ⱪeirōn autou ginontai;)

TC-GNT Καὶ γενομένου σαββάτου, ἤρξατο [fn]ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ διδάσκειν· καὶ [fn]πολλοὶ ἀκούοντες ἐξεπλήσσοντο, λέγοντες, Πόθεν τούτῳ ταῦτα; Καὶ τίς ἡ σοφία ἡ δοθεῖσα [fn]αὐτῷ, [fn]καὶ [fn]δυνάμεις τοιαῦται διὰ τῶν χειρῶν αὐτοῦ [fn]γίνονται;
(Kai genomenou sabbatou, aʸrxato en taʸ sunagōgaʸ didaskein; kai polloi akouontes exeplaʸssonto, legontes, Pothen toutōi tauta; Kai tis haʸ sofia haʸ dotheisa autōi, kai dunameis toiautai dia tōn ⱪeirōn autou ginontai; )

6:2 εν τη συναγωγη διδασκειν ¦ διδασκειν εν τη συναγωγη ECM^† NA SBL WH

6:2 πολλοι 98.8% ¦ οι πολλοι ECM^† SBL WH 0.9%

6:2 αυτω ¦ τουτω CT

6:2 και ¦ οτι και TR

6:2 δυναμεις ¦ αι δυναμεις CT

6:2 γινονται ¦ γινομεναι ECM NA SBL WH ¦ γεινονται TH

Key for above GNTs: red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 6:1–6a: The people of Jesus’ hometown did not believe in him

When Jesus came to Nazareth, his hometown, he began to teach in the synagogue. The people were amazed by his wisdom and the miracles that he did. However, they thought that Jesus was only an ordinary person and a carpenter. So they refused to accept that God had given him such extraordinary wisdom and power. Instead, they rejected him and the words that he said.

It is good to translate this section before you decide on a heading for it.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

A Prophet Without Honor (NIV)

Jesus Is Rejected at Nazareth (GNT)

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 13:53–58 and Luke 4:16–30. See also John 4:44, 6:42.

6:2a

When the Sabbath came,

When the Sabbath day came/arrived,
On the rest day,

When the Sabbath came: In many languages, people do not say that a day came.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

On the Sabbath day

When it was the Sabbath day

Sabbath: The word Sabbath is the name of the seventh and last day of the week for the Jews. The Sabbath was the special day in the week when the Jews rested and worshipped God. The Law of Moses said that the Jews must not do any work on that day (Deuteronomy 5:12–15).

Here are some other ways to translate Sabbath:

the Jewish rest day

the day for resting

the day to rest and worship God

If the word Sabbath is already known in your area, you may write it according to the sounds of your language. You may also want to include a phrase to explain the meaning. For example:

the Sabat, the Jews’ day for resting

Be careful that the term you choose is not confused with Sunday, the day when Christians worship. The Sabbath for the Jews began at sundown on Friday and went until sundown on Saturday. You may want to include a footnote to give more information. For example:

The Sabbath is a name for the seventh day of the week. It is the day when the Jews rested from work and worshipped God.

6:2b

He began to teach in the synagogue,

he began to teach God’s message in the synagogue building,
he taught the Scriptures to the people in the meeting place.

He began to teach in the synagogue: There is some implied information here. People gathered in the synagogue every Sabbath to worship. These were the people whom Jesus taught. In some languages you may need to say who he taught and what he taught. For example:

began to teach God’s message

began to teach the Scriptures to the people there

Jesus did something similar in 1:21b and 1:21c. Look at your translation there for ideas about how to translate 6:2b.

began to teach: The Greek phrase that most English versions translate as began to teach may also be translated as “taught” (as in the CEV). Use a verb form that is natural in your language for this context.

synagogue: A synagogue was a building where Jews gathered to pray, read scripture, teach their beliefs, and worship. The Jews also gathered there for cultural activities. There was only one temple (in Jerusalem), but each Jewish community had a synagogue.

Here are some other ways to translate synagogue:

prayer-house of the Jews

meeting-place of the Jews

worship building

house for gathering together

If you make explicit a phrase such as “of the Jews,” be sure that it does not imply that Jesus was not a Jew.

If the word synagogue is already known in your area, you may write it according to the sounds of your language. You may want to include a word or phrase to explain the meaning. For example:

sinagog house/building

You should translate synagogue here the same way you did in 1:21b. See synagogue in the Glossary.

6:2c

and many who heard Him were astonished.

and many of the people who heard him were surprised/astonished.
Many of his listeners were astounded and offended/resentful,

many who heard Him: There is a textual issue in this verse. (1) Many Greek manuscripts lack the definite article hoi before polloi “many.” Without the article, this phrase means “many (but not all) who heard him.” This reading is followed by Textus Receptus and AGNT. (2) Some Greek manuscripts have hoi polloi “the many,” with the definite article. With the article, the phrase means “the many who all heard him.” It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with most versions. There are different ways to interpret the word many:

It means many but not all of the people there were amazed. For example, the CEV says:
Many of the people who heard him were amazed (BSB, NIV, RSV, NJB, CEV, NLT, GW, NET)
It means that many people were there and all of them were amazed. For example, the GNT says:
Many people were there; and when they heard him, they were all amazed. (GNT, REB, NASB, NCV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most English versions. However, you may want to follow interpretation (2) if the major language version in your language area follows it.One argument in favor of interpretation (2) is that “many” may be a Semitic idiom meaning “all” (TRT page 68, Gundry, page 289). Others who support the interpretation “all of the many” include Lane page 201, UBS page 182, and Cranfield page 193. The first interpretation is supported by Alexander (page 141), Hiebert (page 138), Gould (page 103), Lenski (page 234), Bruce (page 184), Swete (page 111) and Taylor (page 299). Both interpretations are well supported by scholars.

In some languages it may be natural to make it explicit that many refers to “many of the people in the synagogue.” For example:

many of the people listening to him there

were astonished: The Greek word that the BSB translates as astonished means “very surprised” or “amazed.” (The same word occurs in 1:22a.) The following verse (6:3) makes it clear that the people’s surprise here was mixed with resentment. They were displeased or offended that someone whom they considered to be an ordinary person should have such authority and power.

Be sure that your translation of astonished fits with the attitude of the people that is expressed in 6:3. In some languages it may be necessary to translate this word differently here than you did in 1:22. For example:

amazed and resentful

6:2d–3c

In 6:2d–6:3c, Mark records several rhetorical questions. These rhetorical questions express the surprise and resentment that the people felt when Jesus began to teach in the synagogue. The people knew Jesus only as a carpenter, so they were surprised that he was able to teach with such wisdom. They were also surprised that he was able to perform such mighty works. However, they did not believe that Jesus was qualified to do these things. Therefore, they were offended.

The meaning of these rhetorical questions is expressed in various ways in the Display. The Display also shows ways to express the direct quotations in 6:2d–6:3c in an indirect way. See the Display for 6:2d-6:3c.

6:2d

“Where did this man get these ideas?” they asked.

They asked, “Where did this man learn these things?
and they said, “It’s unbelievable that a man such as this has learned all these things!

Where did this man get these ideas?: This is a rhetorical question. It expresses both surprise and offense/contempt. There are at least two ways to translate this rhetorical question:

As a rhetorical question. For example:
Where did he get all this? (GNT)
Where did this man get these things? (NIV)
As a statement. For example:
We cannot believe that this man has learned all this!
It is unbelievable that this man has learned all these things/ideas!

Use whichever form is most natural to express this surprise, offense, and contempt in your language.

It may be necessary in some languages to include an idiom or phrase in order to express surprise and/or amazement. You could translate it:

What is this? Where did this one get/learn these things?

Impossible! Where did this one get/learn such things?

Where: Here the word Where helps to form the rhetorical question. The emphasis here is not on a place, as it usually is with the word where.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

How

From whom/By whose authority

It is unbelievable that…

this man: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as this man is literally “this one.” The people knew Jesus’ name, but they called him “this one.” This shows their feeling of contempt. It shows that they did not accept Jesus as a teacher.

get: In Greek, there is no verb here. The clause is literally “from where this one these things?” The BSB has supplied the verb get to make the clause understandable in English.

In many languages it will be necessary to supply a verb, as English versions do. Here are some other possibilities:

know

learn

these ideas: The phrase these ideas refers to the wisdom with which Jesus taught. It also refers to the power by which he performed miracles.

they asked: In Greek the word that the BSB translates as they asked comes before the rhetorical question. The BSB has placed this phrase after the rhetorical question. You should place these words where they are most natural in your language.

asked: If you translate the rhetorical question in 6:2d as a statement, you may need to use a different verb here. For example:

said

6:2e–f

What is this wisdom He has been given? And how can He perform such miracles?: There is a textual issue in this verse:

Some Greek manuscripts have the conjunction and. For example the NASB says:
…what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands? (BSB, CEV, NLT, NASB, JBP, GNT, RSV, NET, REB, NCV)Among the versions that follow option (1), some versions connect the questions with the word “and” (BSB, CEV, NLT, NASB, JBP) and some versions omit a conjunction (GNT, RSV, NET, REB, NCV). For example, the NET says, “And what is this wisdom that has been given to him? What are these miracles that are done through his hands?”
Other Greek manuscripts have the conjunction in order that. This conjunction introduces the purpose or result of the wisdom he had received. For example, the KJV says:
…and what wisdom [is] this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? (KJV, NIV)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), since it has the support of the majority of Greek manuscripts.Blight and Smith (page 124), Metzger (page 75), UBS4 (page 138), TRT (page 67) and Swanson (page 80). Also, the majority of the English versions follow this option.

The rhetorical questions in 6:2e and 6:2f are discussed separately below. For ways to combine these two questions into one sentence, see the General Comment on 6:2e–f after the note on 6:2f.

6:2e

“What is this wisdom He has been given?

Who gave him wisdom like this?
He should not have wise understanding like this!

What is this wisdom He has been given?: This is a rhetorical question. It expresses both surprise and unbelief. There are at least two ways to translate this rhetorical question.

As a rhetorical question. For example:
Who gave him this kind of wisdom…? (GW)
Where did he get all his wisdom…? (NLT)
As a statement. For example:
He should not have this kind of wisdom!
We cannot believe that he has received all this wisdom!

Use whichever form is most natural to express this surprise and unbelief in your language.

this: The word this indicates that the people thought that the wisdom Jesus had was an extraordinary/unusual kind of wisdom. You could translate this as:

this kind of…

…like this

wisdom: The word wisdom in general means “the ability to understand events and know the right action.” In this context, it probably refers to understanding spiritual things. It is not simple knowledge learned from studying.

In some languages it may be necessary to translate wisdom with a phrase. For example:

wise understanding

right and just thinking

He: The Greek word that the BSB translates as He is literally “this one.” This is the same word as in 6:2d. The people knew Jesus’ name, but they called him “this one.” This shows their feeling of contempt. It shows again that they did not accept his spiritual authority.

given: The BSB follows the Greek text and translates the verb given as a passive verb. The passive form of the verb here shows that the people did not believe that Jesus could have learned such wisdom on his own. They also were not willing to say from whom or where he received such wisdom. For this reason, it is recommended that you use the passive form in the translation if possible. But if it is not natural in your language to do this, you may want to use one of the following ideas:

Who gave him…?

Where did he get…?

He should not have…!

6:2f

And how can He perform such miracles?

How does he do such miracles?
He should not be able do mighty/amazing things such as these!

And how can He perform such miracles?: This is a rhetorical question. It expresses both surprise and unbelief. There are at least two ways to translate this rhetorical question.

As a rhetorical question. For example:
…and the ability to do such great miracles? (GW)
And where did he get the power to do miracles? (NCV)
As a statement. For example:
He should not be able to do these types of miracles!
We cannot believe that he has the power to do such miracles!

Use whichever form is most natural to express this surprise and unbelief in your language.

He perform such miracles: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as He perform such miracles is more literally “such miracles happening through his hands.” This figure of speech means “miracles performed by him” or “miracles that Jesus did.” For example:

How does he perform miracles? (GNT)

…he even does miracles! (NIV)

miracles: The Greek word that the BSB translates here as miracles is literally powers. A miracle is an action which requires great power to accomplish. When a human being does a miracle, he must use greater power than human beings normally have. Jesus used God’s power to do miracles, and these miracles demonstrated that he came from God.

Here are some other ways to translate miracles:

mighty works

amazing acts done with/by God’s power

wonderful actions that only God can do

General Comment on 6:2e–f

In some languages it may be more natural to combine the two rhetorical questions in 6:2e–f into one question, such as in the examples below.

Who gave him this kind of wisdom and the ability to do such great miracles? (GW)

Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles? (NLT)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

οἱ πολλοὶ ἀκούοντες ἐξεπλήσσοντο λέγοντες

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί γενομένου Σαββάτου ἤρξατο διδάσκειν ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ καί πολλοί ἀκούοντες ἐξεπλήσσοντο λέγοντες Πόθεν τούτῳ ταῦτα καί τίς ἡ σοφία ἡ δοθεῖσα τούτῳ καί αἱ δυνάμεις τοιαῦται διά τῶν χειρῶν αὐτοῦ γινόμεναι)

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, it is clear from the context that it was Jesus and what he said and did. Alternate translation: [he astonished many of the ones hearing him, who were saying] or [what he said astonished many of the ones hearing him, who were saying]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

οἱ πολλοὶ ἀκούοντες

Here, the phrase translated the many ones hearing him could refer to: (1) the many people who were hearing him. In this case, all of the many people were astonished. Alternate translation: [all the many people hearing him] (2) many of the people who were hearing him. In this case, not all of the people were astonished. Alternate translation: [many of the ones hearing him]

Note 3 topic: writing-quotations

λέγοντες

saying

Consider natural ways of introducing direct quotations in your language. Alternate translation: [and they said]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

πόθεν τούτῳ ταῦτα, καὶ τίς ἡ σοφία ἡ δοθεῖσα τούτῳ, καὶ αἱ δυνάμεις τοιαῦται διὰ τῶν χειρῶν αὐτοῦ γινόμεναι?

The people in Jesus’ hometown are using the question form to express their surprise that Jesus has wisdom and can do miracles. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or an exclamation. Alternate translation: [We are surprised to see this one doing these things, and we are surprised that this one has been given the wisdom and such miracles happening by his hands.] or [We have no idea where these things that this one does are from, and we do not know what the wisdom that has been given to this one is, and such miracles happening by his hands!]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

πόθεν τούτῳ ταῦτα

Here, the phrase From where to this one are these things asks about the source from which this one, Jesus, was able to do these things. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a comparable phrase or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [What is the source of these things for this one] or [How is this one able to do these things]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

τίς ἡ σοφία ἡ δοθεῖσα τούτῳ, καὶ αἱ δυνάμεις τοιαῦται

what_‹is› the wisdom ¬which ˓having_been˒_given ˱to˲_this_‹one› (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί γενομένου Σαββάτου ἤρξατο διδάσκειν ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ καί πολλοί ἀκούοντες ἐξεπλήσσοντο λέγοντες Πόθεν τούτῳ ταῦτα καί τίς ἡ σοφία ἡ δοθεῖσα τούτῳ καί αἱ δυνάμεις τοιαῦται διά τῶν χειρῶν αὐτοῦ γινόμεναι)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of wisdom, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [how is he as wise as he has been enabled to be, and what are these miracles]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

ἡ δοθεῖσα τούτῳ

the ¬which ˓having_been˒_given ˱to˲_this_‹one›

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, you could use an indefinite subject. Alternate translation: [that someone has given to this one]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / synecdoche

διὰ τῶν χειρῶν αὐτοῦ

These people are using hands to represent Jesus acting powerfully. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your culture or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [by him] or [through his actions]

Parallel MARK 6:2