And coming is often rendered “When he came to” or “… arrived in.” The noun translated own country, except for its occurrence in Hebrews 11.14, is found only in the Gospels, where it is limited to those passages which relate of Jesus’ rejection by his own people (Matt 13.54; Mark 6.1, 4; Luke 4.23; John 4.44). If the Revised Standard Version interpretation is correct, then the territory under consideration was the area in the vicinity of Nazareth. But the noun may also mean “hometown” (Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible), in which case the reference is to Nazareth (see the New Jerusalem Bible footnote).
Translators should be careful not to say “Nazareth,” of course, since the text does not specify it. Either “hometown” or “the area he was from” are acceptable.
In Greek the verb taught is an imperfect, which may imply an extended teaching ministry in that area.
Them can be rendered as “the people there” or “the people of that place.”
For synagogue, see comments on 4.23. Since the text says their synagogue, it can be translated as “the synagogue of those people” or “the synagogue there.”
The so that indicates that his teaching was such as to cause amazement. Possible renderings are “and they were amazed at his teaching” or “his teaching amazed the people.”
Were astonished (Good News Translation “were amazed”): see comments on 7.28.
Said is quite general, but they were not talking to Jesus. “Said to each other” may be better.
Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? is literally “From where to this one such wisdom and miracles?” But a literal translation would be absolute nonsense, and most translations attempt something more dynamic. The first part of the question can follow Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation quite closely or possibly be rendered as “Where did he learn all these things?” or “How come he is so wise?” The second part may better be rendered “How can he do these miracles?” “How is it he is able to do these miracles?” or “Where does he get the power (or, authority) to perform these great miracles?” Note that this will mean using two separate questions instead of one as in Revised Standard Version.
Wisdom was previously mentioned in 11.19 and 12.42. Mighty works is the same word used in 7.22. As one commentator notes, these two terms “refer to the two main aspects of Jesus’ ministry: his teaching and his miracles….”
Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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