Jesus Unrolls the Book in the Synagogue (Jésus dans la synagogue déroule le livre)

In Luke’s telling, Jesus returns to Nazareth, the town of his childhood, and goes to the synagogue on the Sabbath. Reading a passage from Isaiah, he declares himself the fulfillment of the prophet’s words, as the means of redemption and healing for the marginalized, afflicted, and oppressed. Those gathered in the synagogue react with wonder to find the prophecy realized in one of their own—“Joseph’s son,” as the group calls him. However, Jesus warns that his path promises hardship, even among friends: “No prophet is accepted in his country.”

Tissot pays particular attention to the costumes of the worshippers and the setting of the synagogue. Note the shawls worn by those at prayer as well as the elaborate silver ornaments for the Torah from which Jesus reads.