Mt 13:47-14:12

• v53: Jesus' ministry to his hometown folks.
• v55: the folks knew too much about his past, which hindered them from knowing who he really is. -> I shouldn't judge people from what I know or find out about him in the past or of his past. In fact, I shouldn't judge people at all. They are all God's intruments and can be mold and shaped according to God's will. People change constantly. But I can take guard, of course--by all means!
  
• v55: Jesus had 4 brothers: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas; and some sisters, too. James is the one who wrote the 'Book of James' in the Bible.
  
• v57: they went as far as taking offense at Jesus.
• 14:1-12: death of John the Baptist.
• v3, v8: Herod and Herodias (his brother's wife) murdered John because he once pointed out their unlawful 'marriage.'
• v8,v11: the daughter had the choice of not obeying her mother, but she sided with them and became part of the murderous scheme.