Luke 4:16 kjv

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

Luke 4:16 nkjv

So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.

Luke 4:16 niv

He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read,

Luke 4:16 esv

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read.

Luke 4:16 nlt

When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures.

Luke 4 verses

Luke 4 16 Meaning

Luke 4:16 describes a pivotal moment at the beginning of Jesus' public ministry where He returns to Nazareth, His hometown. The verse reveals Jesus' consistent and deeply ingrained spiritual discipline: it was His lifelong "custom" to attend the synagogue, the central place of Jewish worship and instruction, on the Sabbath day. His action of standing up to read signifies not only His participation but also His intention to actively engage with and interpret the Scriptures, laying the groundwork for the powerful declaration of His messianic mission that follows. This verse highlights Jesus' adherence to the Mosaic Law and traditional Jewish piety, setting Him apart not as a revolutionary discarding all tradition, but as one who perfectly fulfills it from within its framework.

Luke 4 16 Context

Luke 4:16 marks a crucial point in Jesus' early public ministry, following His baptism, temptation in the wilderness, and initial period of teaching throughout Galilee (Lk 4:14-15), during which His reputation was growing. Having traveled through other towns, Jesus returns to Nazareth, His childhood home, specifically described as the place "where He had been brought up." This visit is deliberate and meaningful. His choice to enter the synagogue on the Sabbath, "as was His custom," roots His burgeoning ministry within the traditional religious practices of His people. It sets the stage for His profound sermon where He proclaims the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy regarding the Messiah (Lk 4:17-21), thereby revealing the nature of His mission. This event precedes His ultimate rejection in His hometown, a significant theme explored immediately after. The verse thus demonstrates Jesus' respect for the Law and Jewish custom while foreshadowing the prophetic pronouncements and challenging new interpretations that will follow.

Luke 4 16 Word analysis

• And He: Refers directly to Jesus, establishing Him as the central subject, now moving with authority after His wilderness temptation and initial Galilean ministry (Lk 4:14-15).
• came: (Greek: erchomai - ἔρχομαι). Denotes a deliberate journey or arrival, not accidental presence. Jesus consciously traveled back to His familiar place.
• to Nazareth: (Greek: Nazaret - Ναζαρέτ). A small, somewhat obscure town in Galilee (Jn 1:46), the place of Jesus' human upbringing (Lk 2:39, 51). This visit emphasizes His earthly roots and familiarity with ordinary life.
• where He had been brought up: (Greek: tethrammenos - τεθραμμένος, perfect passive participle of trephō, to nourish, rear). Highlights Jesus' formative years and deep personal connection to this community. It speaks of a long history and ingrained familiarity, suggesting that His actions here were a continuation of lifelong habits.
• and as was His custom: (Greek: kata to eiōthos autō - κατὰ τὸ εἰωθὸς αὐτῷ). A crucial phrase indicating Jesus' consistent, habitual practice. This was not a one-off event or a sudden change of behavior but an established pattern of His life. It signifies His adherence to Jewish piety, His respect for the Sabbath, and His participation in synagogue life. It portrays Him as deeply rooted in His religious tradition.
• He entered: (Greek: eisēlthen - εἰσῆλθεν, aorist indicative of eiserchomai, to go in). Another deliberate action, indicating His purposeful attendance.
• the synagogue: (Greek: tēn synagōgēn - τὴν συναγωγήν). The primary local center of Jewish community life, worship, and instruction, distinct from the Temple in Jerusalem. Its importance grew after the Babylonian exile. It was where the Law and Prophets were read and discussed. Jesus' participation validates this institution as a place where God's word was proclaimed.
• on the Sabbath: (Greek: tē hēmera tōn sabbatōn - τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῶν σαββάτων). The specific day of the week ordained by God for rest and worship (Ex 20:8). This specifies the exact time, emphasizing Jesus' fidelity to divine commandment and Jewish practice. It prepares the audience for the coming controversies Jesus will have with religious leaders over the correct observance of the Sabbath.
• and stood up: (Greek: anestē - ἀνέστη, aorist indicative of anistēmi, to stand up, rise). This was the customary posture for a reader in the synagogue (Neh 8:5). It signifies readiness and intention to participate actively, not just as a listener but as someone recognized for His authority or learning, likely signaling His desire to read the Scriptures.
• to read: (Greek: anagnōnai - ἀναγνῶναι, aorist infinitive of anaginōskō, to read, recognize). Implies the act of public reading from the sacred scrolls. In the synagogue service, appointed readers would take turns. Jesus standing up indicated He wished to be such a reader, highlighting His intimate knowledge of Scripture and willingness to participate in a teaching role, leading directly to the exposition of Isa 61.

Luke 4 16 Bonus section

• The detail of Jesus returning to Nazareth specifically after having gained a reputation in Galilee (Lk 4:14-15) highlights His courage and humility, confronting familiar faces despite potential skepticism in His hometown.
• The fact that He was allowed to stand and read suggests either a previous standing invitation for known synagogue members or His burgeoning reputation as a teacher. The privilege of reading from the prophets or Torah was often extended to esteemed guests or members of good standing, indicating that Jesus was recognized.
• Luke often emphasizes Jesus' obedience and rootedness in Jewish custom, beginning with His dedication in the Temple as a child (Lk 2:22-24, 41-52). Luke 4:16 powerfully continues this narrative of Jesus as the perfect Son, fulfilling all righteousness.
• This verse indirectly challenges the idea that Jesus immediately detached Himself from existing religious structures. Instead, He engaged with them as a platform for His truth, bringing fulfillment from within.

Luke 4 16 Commentary

Luke 4:16 presents Jesus not as a revolutionary disrupting everything, but as a faithful Jew deeply rooted in His religious and cultural heritage. His habitual observance of the Sabbath and participation in synagogue worship demonstrate His reverence for God's Law and the established customs of His people. This consistent pattern ("as was His custom") reveals Jesus' character of unwavering piety from His upbringing throughout His ministry. He did not suddenly adopt these practices for His public life, but rather they were intrinsic to His being. His choice to stand up to read in the Nazareth synagogue, His hometown, signifies a moment of public emergence, not only as a worshipper but as a potential teacher or expositor. It foreshadows His authority in handling the Scriptures, immediately setting the stage for His declaration of messianic fulfillment. This deep grounding within Jewish tradition allowed Him to then transcend and fulfill the Law, offering a deeper understanding of God's redemptive plan without dismissing its foundation. This foundational commitment provides credibility for His later teachings, even when those teachings challenged contemporary interpretations.