The Astonishment of the Familiar: Questions, Aspect, and Divine Wisdom in Mark 6:2

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; (Mark 6:2)

When the Hometown Is Shocked

Mark 6:2 opens the scene in the Nazareth synagogue where Jesus, the carpenter’s son, teaches with divine authority. The reaction is not mere admiration—it’s astonishment laced with skepticism. Through participles, imperfects, and rhetorical questions, the Greek grammar unveils not just surprise, but the psychological tension of encountering the holy in the ordinary.

This article explores:

• The genitive absolute γενομένου σαββάτου and temporal framing
• The imperfect verb ἤρξατο and its narrative onset
• The participle + finite verb pair ἀκούοντες… ἐξεπλήσσοντο
• The interrogative phrases Πόθεν…; and τίς ἡ σοφία…;

γενομένου σαββάτου – Framing the Sacred Time

The verse begins with a genitive absolute, indicating the background circumstance.

Form and Function:

• γενομένου – aorist middle participle, genitive neuter singular from γίγνομαι, “having come / arrived”
• σαββάτου – genitive singular, “of the Sabbath”

This construction introduces a time marker: “when the Sabbath had come.” The aorist participle conveys completed action prior to the main verb—it sets the stage for what follows in sacred, liturgical time.

ἤρξατο… διδάσκειν – The Beginning of Instruction

The main action follows: Jesus began to teach.

Verb Structure:

• ἤρξατο – imperfect middle indicative, 3rd person singular from ἄρχομαι, “he began”
• διδάσκειν – present active infinitive of διδάσκω, “to teach”

The imperfect verb suggests ongoing or customary action, fitting for Jesus’ regular teaching in synagogues. The infinitive διδάσκειν complements ἤρξατο, emphasizing the initiation of habitual ministry.

ἀκούοντες… ἐξεπλήσσοντο – Shock in the Hearing

Mark then shifts to the crowd’s response using a participial-verb structure.

Grammatical Notes:

• ἀκούοντες – present active participle, nominative masculine plural from ἀκούω, “hearing”
• ἐξεπλήσσοντο – imperfect middle indicative, 3rd person plural from ἐκπλήσσω, “to be astonished”

The present participle shows the ongoing act of listening, while the imperfect verb reveals a repeated or drawn-out astonishment. The people aren’t merely impressed—they are bewildered and unable to reconcile what they hear with what they thought they knew.

Πόθεν τούτῳ ταῦτα – The Mystery of Origin

The question Πόθεν τούτῳ ταῦτα; literally means, “From where [are] these things to him?”

Phrase Analysis:

• Πόθεν – interrogative adverb, “from where?”
• τούτῳ – dative masculine singular demonstrative, “to this one”
• ταῦτα – nominative/accusative neuter plural, “these things” (referring to teachings and powers)

It’s a rhetorical expression of disorientation: how can such wisdom and power come from a man we thought we knew?

τίς ἡ σοφία…; καὶ δυνάμεις… γίνονται – Wisdom and Miracles as Scandal

The crowd continues with more questions:

Key Components:

• τίς ἡ σοφία – “What is this wisdom?” (literally, “Which [is] the wisdom?”)
• ἡ δοθεῖσα – aorist passive participle, “that has been given”
• δυνάμεις τοιαῦται… γίνονται – “such powers are happening / being performed”

The phrase διὰ τῶν χειρῶν αὐτοῦ (“through his hands”) underscores the personal agency of Jesus in these miracles, though their source appears to be divine gifting (note: ἡ δοθεῖσα).

Disbelief in the Familiar

When Divine Wisdom Offends the Ordinary

Mark 6:2 shows us a community that listens and marvels—and still misses the point. Their verbs tell the story: hearing, wondering, questioning, but never believing. The imperfects prolong the scene—they were listening, they were amazed—but the indicative of faith never comes.

The grammar dramatizes their dilemma. Jesus teaches in sacred time. The crowd hears divine wisdom. They witness miracles. And yet, they ask: “Where did this come from?” Their Greek is grammatically clear—but their hearts remain confused.

Grammar can carry revelation, but it cannot guarantee reception. And thus, even perfect participles and rhetorical structures can end in astonished unbelief.