These questions expect the answer "yes." The townspeople were reminding one another that they knew exactly who Jesus was: the son of the local carpenter, with a mother and brothers they could name. Each question shrinks Him back down to size. Gill says what they said "was no doubt by way of derision and contempt." Barnes explains the root: they "were too proud to be taught by one who, in family connections, they took to be their equal or inferior."

The answer to each question was yes, and that settled it for them: "they were offended in him" (Matthew 13:57). Jesus answered not by arguing about His family but with a saying: "A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house" (Matthew 13:57). Luke records the same truth at His earlier visit: "No prophet is accepted in his own country" (Luke 4:24).

"Carpenter" translates tekton, which Thayer defines as "a worker in wood, a carpenter." Mark records the crowd calling Jesus Himself "the carpenter, the son of Mary" (Mark 6:3). Barnes thinks both phrases were probably spoken, and that Mark's wording is strong proof Jesus Himself worked at the trade. He adds that it was the custom of the Jews to train all their children to some trade. Gill suggests Joseph is not named because he "very probably was now dead."

Commentators differ on who the "brethren" were. Barnes holds that "the fair interpretation" is that they were sons and daughters of Joseph and Mary. Gill offers possibilities instead: sons of Joseph by a former wife, or cousins of Christ, sons of Mary's or Joseph's brothers or sisters. Either way, the crowd's point is the same: they knew His family well.

Just before this, when Jesus' mother and brethren came looking for Him, He pointed to His disciples and said, "whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother" (Matthew 12:46-50). Now His hometown tries to define Him entirely by His earthly family. They knew His relatives but not His Father.

The questions also show the humility of Jesus. Barnes calls His years of ordinary work "an example of great condescension and humility." Matthew Henry notes it was "no disgrace to be the son of an honest tradesman." The Son of God lived so ordinary a life that His neighbors could not see past it.