It’s a question most people have pondered.
As always, the Scriptures provide some insight.
Faith… believing that He IS, and that He is a rewarder of them who diligently seek Him, is an integral part of connecting with God. Without faith it is impossible to please Him. Every thing that is not of faith is sin. Sin separates us from God.
We can’t “reason” our way to God. We have to use our faith.
Several translations of Scripture (Mathew 13:58) give us a clear message of why Jesus didn’t do many healings and miracles in his hometown:
ASV
And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
AMP
And He did not do many miracles there [in Nazareth] because of their unbelief.
AMPC
And He did not do many works of power there, because of their unbelief (their lack of faith in the divine mission of Jesus).
CEB
He was unable to do many miracles there because of their disbelief.
CJB
And he did few miracles there because of their lack of trust.
CEV
And because the people did not have any faith, Jesus did not work many miracles there.
DARBY
And he did not there many works of power, because of their unbelief.
DLNT
And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.
DRA
And he wrought not many miracles there, because of their unbelief.
ERV
Jesus did not do many miracles there, because the people did not believe in him.
ESV
And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.
EXB
So he did not do many miracles there because ·they had no faith [of their unbelief].
GNV
And he did not many great works there, for their unbelief’s sake.
GW
He didn’t work many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
GNT
Because they did not have faith, he did not perform many miracles there.
ICB
The people there did not believe in Jesus. So Jesus did not do many miracles there.
ISV
He did not perform many miracles there because of their unbelief.
PHILLIPS
And he performed very few miracles there because of their lack of faith.
KJV
And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
LEB
And he did not perform many miracles in that place because of their unbelief.
TLB
And so he did only a few great miracles there, because of their unbelief.
MSG
But Jesus said, “A prophet is taken for granted in his hometown and his family.” He didn’t do many miracles there because of their hostile indifference.
NOG
He didn’t work many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
NABRE
And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.
NCV
So he did not do many miracles there because they had no faith.
NIRV
He did only a few miracles in Nazareth because the people there had no faith.
NKJV
Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
NLV
He did not do many powerful works there because they did not put their trust in Him.
VOICE
Jesus didn’t bother to work wondrous miracles there in Nazareth because the people did not believe.
WE
Jesus could not do many big works in that place because the people did not believe in him.
WYC
And he did not there many works of power [And he did not there many virtues], for the unbelief of them.
Where faith is, the Spirit of the Lord abides. God is looking for a people who will trust Him.
It’s a wonderful way to live.
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But Paul and Timothy, for example, were not healed either. Their faith was lacking? If it’s only a matter of faith, then why would anyone ever die? Or at least why would anyone die young? I’m not sure I’m ready to call imprisoned martyrs, who died of starvation and sickness, unfaithful. (Just a few thoughts.)
Thanks for the comment Kirby. I agree with you. Faith or not, God is God. Our job is to ask, trust and believe. In Mathew 9:29 Jesus communicated the importance of faith when He said, “Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.” I wouldn’t condemn anyone who doesn’t receive healing, but the importance of faith is significant in matters of the Kingdom!