Luke 4:17 kjv

And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,

Luke 4:17 nkjv

And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:

Luke 4:17 niv

and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

Luke 4:17 esv

And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

Luke 4:17 nlt

The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:

Luke 4 verses

Luke 4 17 Meaning

Luke 4:17 describes a pivotal moment in Jesus' public ministry within the synagogue in Nazareth. It recounts that Jesus was presented with the scroll containing the prophecies of Isaiah, which He then unrolled to locate and read a specific passage. This act was part of the regular synagogue service, where scripture was read, setting the stage for Jesus' direct proclamation of His mission.

Luke 4 17 Context

Luke 4:17 is situated immediately following Jesus' temptation in the wilderness and His return to Galilee "in the power of the Spirit" (Lk 4:14). His fame was spreading as He taught in their synagogues. Coming to Nazareth, His hometown, was a customary visit to the synagogue on the Sabbath. This particular act of reading scripture, which typically involved the synagogue leader handing the scroll to a prominent guest or member, precedes Jesus' definitive declaration of His Messianic mission in verses 18-21, a direct fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. It sets the stage for both the public acceptance and eventual rejection He would face in Nazareth. Historically, it reflects the practice of public scripture reading and commentary prevalent in Jewish synagogues of the time.

Luke 4 17 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): A simple conjunction, connecting Jesus' action of entering the synagogue and standing up (Lk 4:16) with being given the scroll. It implies a continuation of events, not an abrupt change.
• He was handed (ἐπεδόθη - epedothē): This is in the passive voice (from epididomi), indicating that someone else gave the scroll to Jesus. It implies a customary act, a sign of respect or recognition, allowing Jesus to participate in the reading of the Haftarah (prophetic portion).
• the book (τὸ βιβλίον - to biblion): Refers specifically to a scroll, not a modern bound book or codex. In this context, it designates the specific scroll containing the prophetic writings, and specifically, as indicated, Isaiah. Scrolls were unrolled horizontally.
• of the prophet Isaiah (τοῦ προφήτου Ἠσαΐου - tou prophētou Ēsaïou): Clearly identifies the author and subject matter. Isaiah was revered as one of the great prophets, his writings rich with Messianic prophecy. This specifies the particular scroll and prophet whose words Jesus would proclaim as fulfilled.
• and when He had opened (ἀνοίξας - anoixas): An active participle meaning "having unrolled." Scrolls were rolled for storage and had to be unrolled to find a particular passage. This verb suggests deliberate action by Jesus, demonstrating His familiarity with the scriptures.
• the book (τὸ βιβλίον - to biblion): Again refers to the scroll.
• He found (εὗρεν - heuren): From heuriskō, meaning to find, discover, or obtain, often implying a deliberate search or successful attainment. This is significant; it doesn't say He was told where to read, but He found the specific passage Himself, suggesting either prior knowledge of what He intended to read or divine guidance.
• the place (τὸν τόπον - ton topon): Refers to a specific passage or section within the scroll. It highlights that Jesus located a particular prophetic utterance rather than reading a random or pre-assigned portion for the Sabbath (though it might have been appropriate for the cycle, His "finding" is emphasized).
• where it was written (οὗ ἦν γεγραμμένον - hou ēn gegrammenon): This phrase emphasizes the written, authoritative, and permanent nature of the scripture. "Was written" (ēn gegrammenon) is a perfect passive participle, indicating a completed action with continuing results—it had been written and remained written.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "He was handed the book...Isaiah": This action signifies Jesus' formal participation in the synagogue service and implies a recognition of His spiritual authority or knowledge, granting Him the honor of reading. The specific identification of "Isaiah" foreshadows the Messianic proclamation that follows.
• "and when He had opened the book": This describes the physical action of unrolling the scroll. It highlights Jesus' active engagement with the scripture, a stark contrast to some rabbinic traditions that relied more on oral tradition than direct engagement with the written word.
• "He found the place where it was written": This phrase emphasizes intentionality and precision. Jesus did not just randomly open the scroll, nor did he simply follow a dictated portion. He found a specific place, implying a purposeful choice of the very passage that declares His mission and role. This highlights the sovereignty of God and the active role of Jesus in fulfilling prophecy.

Luke 4 17 Bonus section

The act of reading from the prophets (Haftarah) after a portion of the Law (Torah) was a common synagogue practice. The passage Jesus "found" was from Isaiah 61:1-2a, a key prophetic text regarding the Messiah's anointing by the Spirit and His mission of liberation and healing. The unrolling of the scroll was often done until the reader found the desired section, and then rolled just enough on either side to hold the current portion in view, showing that Jesus knew precisely where this profound prophecy was located. The emphasis on Jesus finding the exact place indicates a divine appointment or an inherent knowing, rather than simply being directed by a pre-assigned reading.

Luke 4 17 Commentary

Luke 4:17 serves as the preliminary stage for Jesus' momentous inaugural address in Nazareth. It illustrates His conformity to synagogue custom and respect for the Law, while simultaneously demonstrating His unique relationship with and understanding of scripture. His act of receiving, unrolling, and then specifically "finding" a precise passage from Isaiah reveals His mastery of the Old Testament and deliberate intention to connect His ministry to its prophetic foretelling. This deliberate selection underscores that His subsequent declaration (Lk 4:18-19) was not a random thought but a divinely appointed message, fulfilling prophecies central to the very core of Israel's hopes. This verse underscores Jesus as the Word made flesh engaging with the written Word, an embodiment of the scriptural promises. Practically, it highlights the importance of discerning the specific divine message intended for a moment or people, emphasizing God's perfect timing and purposeful revelation.