Luke 4:20 kjv

And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

Luke 4:20 nkjv

Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him.

Luke 4:20 niv

Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him.

Luke 4:20 esv

And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.

Luke 4:20 nlt

He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently.

Luke 4 verses

Luke 4 20 Meaning

Luke 4:20 marks a dramatic and pivotal moment in Jesus' public ministry. It describes Jesus concluding His reading of Isaiah 61:1-2 in the synagogue in Nazareth, an act that follows ancient custom. His deliberate actions of closing the scroll, returning it to the attendant, and then sitting down signified a transition from reader to authoritative teacher. The subsequent observation that all eyes were "fastened" on Him highlights the intense anticipation and curiosity of the audience, poised for His interpretation of the profound Messianic prophecy He had just read. This moment sets the stage for Jesus' bold declaration of prophetic fulfillment in the very next verse.

Luke 4 20 Context

Luke 4:20 takes place during Jesus' early public ministry, specifically His return to Nazareth, His hometown (Lk 4:16). It was His custom to attend synagogue on the Sabbath. On this particular Sabbath, He stood up to read. He was handed the scroll of Isaiah and found the passage concerning the Messiah's mission (Isa 61:1-2). He read these prophetic verses aloud to the congregation. Verse 20 immediately follows this reading, describing Jesus' concluding actions and the audience's intense focus before He utters the powerful statement in verse 21: "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." This dramatic setting prepares the hearers for His claim of being the anointed one prophesied by Isaiah, a claim that would ultimately lead to both initial amazement and fierce rejection.

Luke 4 20 Word analysis

• And he closed (καὶ πτύξας, kai ptyxas): From Greek ptyxo, meaning "to fold, to roll up." This specifically refers to the act of rolling up a scroll. It signifies the end of the reading and a physical completion of an action. It is a deliberate and final act before a shift in posture and purpose.
• the book (τὸ βιβλίον, to biblion): Referring to the scroll of the Prophet Isaiah from which Jesus had just read. A "biblion" was a papyrus or parchment roll, distinct from a codex (bound book). The return of the scroll to its proper storage place underscores the sacred respect for God's Word in synagogue practice.
• and he gave it again (καὶ ἀποδοὺς, kai apodous): From Greek apodidomi, meaning "to give back, to return." Jesus did not keep the scroll, but respectfully returned it, adhering to the established customs of the synagogue. This action is one of humility and adherence to form, despite the revolutionary content He was about to declare.
• to the minister (τῷ ὑπηρέτῃ, tō hyperetē): From Greek hyperetēs, meaning "an under-rower, a subordinate, an attendant, a servant." This refers to the synagogue attendant, also known as the "hazzan," whose duties included managing the scrolls, overseeing the order of service, and various other administrative tasks. Jesus, by handing it to him, acknowledges the established order and the attendant's role.
• and sat down (καὶ ἐκάθισεν, kai ekathisen): From Greek kathizo, meaning "to cause to sit down, to sit." In Jewish tradition, standing was the posture for reading Scripture, while sitting was the customary and authoritative posture for teaching or expounding upon the Law and Prophets. By sitting, Jesus signals His shift from being a reader to assuming the role of a rabbi or teacher about to deliver a sermon with authority.
• and the eyes (οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ, hoi ophthalmoi): Literally, "the eyes." This highlights the visual focus and direct attention of the congregation.
• of all them that were in the synagogue (πάντων τῶν ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ, pantōn tōn en tē synagōgē): Emphasizes the collective attention of everyone present, signifying a powerful moment for the entire assembly.
• were fastened on him (ἀτενίζοντες αὐτῷ, atenizontes autō): From Greek atenizō, meaning "to fix one's eyes on, to stare at, to look intently at." This term implies a gaze of intense concentration, anticipation, awe, or profound expectation. The congregation was not just looking but intently focused, sensing that something significant was about to be said or done.

Words-group analysis:

• "And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister": This sequence of actions demonstrates Jesus' reverence for the sacred texts and His respect for the synagogue order. It also serves to create a moment of silence and expectation after the significant reading.
• "and sat down": This seemingly simple act is profoundly significant. It immediately signifies a change in Jesus' role from a reader to a teacher with authority, preparing the congregation for His imminent, powerful declaration. It sets the stage for authoritative exposition.
• "and the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him": This phrase dramatically underscores the heightened tension and intense anticipation among the listeners. Their collective, fixed gaze indicates their awareness that something deeply significant was about to transpire following His deliberate actions and the choice of the Isaiah passage. It captures a moment of collective breath-holding.

Luke 4 20 Bonus section

The entire sequence of Jesus in the Nazareth synagogue (Lk 4:16-30) is a programmatic summary of His earthly ministry and highlights the themes of prophetic fulfillment, divine authority, and the tragic reality of initial acceptance followed by rejection. The drama encapsulated in verse 20, with all eyes fixed on Jesus, creates a potent pause, a literary device that heightens the audience's (both within the synagogue and reading Luke's Gospel) anticipation for His revolutionary proclamation in Lk 4:21. This verse underscores Jesus' intentionality and control over the unfolding events, demonstrating His deliberate actions in fulfilling God's plan rather than merely reacting to circumstances.

Luke 4 20 Commentary

Luke 4:20 describes the climax of Jesus' public reading of Isaiah 61:1-2. His precise actions—closing the scroll, returning it, and sitting down—were not mere formalities but intentional signals. The closing of the scroll signified completion and perhaps even symbolic "sealing" of the word just spoken, implying a fulfilled prophecy. Returning the scroll showed His respect for sacred custom. Most profoundly, sitting down transitioned Him from a respectful participant in the synagogue service to the authoritative Rabbi, poised to deliver a weighty exposition. This transition instantly riveted the attention of the congregation. Their "fastened eyes" reveal their intense expectation and profound curiosity, recognizing that the One who had just read such a Messianic text, and now sat as a teacher, was about to say something of immense significance regarding the "good news" for the poor and the "acceptable year of the Lord." It was a moment pregnant with destiny, directly leading to His shocking declaration in the next verse that He was the fulfillment.