“And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?”
All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. Isn't this Joseph's son? they asked — the initial response is positive: all spoke well of him and were amazed. The gracious words (logois tēs charitos) are the words of the kingdom — not harsh words but words of grace and invitation. The question isn't this Joseph's son? is the beginning of the rejection: the familiarity that knows Jesus as the carpenter's son cannot hold the claim he is making.
Church Fathers on Luke 4:22
When our Lord came to Nazareth, He refrains from miracles, lest He should provoke the people to greater malice. But He sets before them His teaching no less wonderful than His miracles. For there was a certain ineffable grace in our Savior’s words which softened the hearts of the hearers. Hence it is said, And they all bare him witness.
They bare Him witness that it was truly He, as He had said, of whom the prophet had spoken.
But what prevents Him from filling men with awe, though He were the Son as was supposed of Joseph? Do you not see the divine miracles, Satan already prostrate, men released from their sickness?
Read all 24 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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