Luke 4:23 kjv

And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.

Luke 4:23 nkjv

He said to them, "You will surely say this proverb to Me, 'Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Your country.' "

Luke 4:23 niv

Jesus said to them, "Surely you will quote this proverb to me: 'Physician, heal yourself!' And you will tell me, 'Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.'?"

Luke 4:23 esv

And he said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, '"Physician, heal yourself." What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.'"

Luke 4:23 nlt

Then he said, "You will undoubtedly quote me this proverb: 'Physician, heal yourself' ? meaning, 'Do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum.'

Luke 4 verses

Luke 4 23 Meaning

Luke 4:23 reveals Jesus' prophetic insight into the human heart, specifically the expectations and skepticism of His hometown people in Nazareth. He anticipates their demanding a miraculous sign, articulating a common proverb, "Physician, heal yourself!" This adage suggests that if Jesus is truly a powerful healer, He should first demonstrate His power and benevolence to His own community, especially after the impressive works rumored to have been performed in Capernaum. Their challenge is a demand for a performance of power on their terms, stemming from unbelief and a desire for personal benefit, rather than embracing Him as the Christ. It reflects a mindset that prioritizes spectacle over spiritual reception of the Word.

Luke 4 23 Context

Luke chapter 4 recounts Jesus' inaugural ministry in Galilee, following His temptation in the wilderness. Having performed mighty works and taught with authority in synagogues elsewhere (Lk 4:14-15), He returns to Nazareth, His hometown, where He attends the synagogue. There, He reads from Isa 61:1-2, declaring that this Scripture is fulfilled in their hearing (Lk 4:16-21). Initially, the people marvel at His gracious words (Lk 4:22). However, Luke 4:23 marks a crucial turning point where Jesus perceives their true underlying skepticism and expectation, not of spiritual truth but of physical, hometown favoritism. This sets the stage for His subsequent teaching in verses 24-27 about prophets lacking honor in their own country, which ultimately leads to their violent rejection of Him (Lk 4:28-30). The verse anticipates their internal challenge: "If you are indeed the Christ with such power, why haven't we, your own people, seen it here first?"

Luke 4 23 Word analysis

• And He said to them: Jesus initiates the discourse, knowing their thoughts.
• 'You will doubtless quote to Me': Jesus speaks with prophetic foreknowledge of their mental processes and impending demand. The phrase emphasizes His awareness of their unstated skepticism.
• this proverb: From Greek parabolē (παραβολή), referring to a common saying or adage, not necessarily a story like His typical parables. It was a well-known critical expression in the ancient world.
• "Physician": From Greek Iatre (Ἰατρέ), a common address for a healer or doctor. In this context, it acknowledges Jesus' reputation as one who performed healings.
• "heal yourself!": From Greek therapeuson seauton (θεράπευσον σεαυτόν), an imperative command. It implies: "Prove your proclaimed ability/power by applying it to your own immediate needs or those closest to you first, before others." Here, it means His own townspeople.
• Whatever we heard done in Capernaum: Capernaum, a bustling city on the Sea of Galilee, became Jesus' ministry base and the scene of many prominent miracles (e.g., healing Peter's mother-in-law, casting out demons, healing the paralytic). News of these events had spread throughout Galilee. The people of Nazareth knew of these reports.
• do here also in Your own country: The demand is for replication of these signs in Nazareth. "Your own country" (patridi sou) refers to His hometown. This shows their expectation for Him to show favoritism and prove Himself to them first, based on kinship and locale. It reflects a territorial and self-centered understanding of God's power.

Words-group analysis

• "You will doubtless quote to Me this proverb: 'Physician, heal yourself!'": This phrase highlights Jesus' divine foresight into human doubt and unbelief. He perfectly understands their conditional acceptance and their immediate default to skepticism, even after hearing the gracious words of Isa 61:1-2. They want a physical, verifiable sign, specifically a display of power for their benefit, rather than simply accepting Him as the Spirit-anointed messenger. The proverb serves as a dismissive challenge, doubting His legitimacy unless He meets their specific demands for self-evident proof in their context.
• "Whatever we heard done in Capernaum, do here also in Your own country.": This statement articulates their demand for evidence. Their knowledge of His deeds in Capernaum fuels their sense of entitlement and resentment that their town hasn't received the same treatment. It exposes their motive: a desire for hometown pride, validation, and personal benefit from a perceived local hero, rather than a genuine seeking of spiritual truth or repentance. This expectation reflects a misunderstanding of God's sovereign plan and the nature of the Kingdom of God, which is not confined to or preferential towards one place or people group based on their connection to the Messiah.

Luke 4 23 Bonus section

This incident in Nazareth is not just a localized event; it serves as a microcosm of Israel's historical interaction with its prophets and, ultimately, its Messiah. Often, familiarity bred contempt, leading to the rejection of divine messengers by their own people. Jesus's prediction of their response and subsequent explanation regarding Elijah and Elisha's ministry to Gentiles (Luke 4:25-27) strategically foreshadows the broader move of salvation from an unbelieving Israel to the Gentile world. This highlights God's sovereign freedom to bless where and whom He chooses, transcending human expectations and ethnic boundaries. The episode starkly contrasts immediate public approval (marveling at His words, Lk 4:22) with the ultimate rejection fueled by deeper unbelief and resentment when expectations are not met (Lk 4:28-29).

Luke 4 23 Commentary

Luke 4:23 encapsulates the fundamental tension between Jesus' divine mission and human expectation. Jesus, the "Physician" par excellence for souls, anticipates the self-centered, performance-driven demand of His own people. They treat His divine power as something to be wielded on demand for local favoritism, rather than recognized through faith in the light of His gracious words. Their demand for Him to "heal Himself" (by benefitting His immediate family/community first) before He "heals" outsiders reveals their deep-seated parochialism and lack of spiritual discernment. This critical juncture sets the theme for Jesus' rejection in His hometown, demonstrating that true faith does not demand signs as a precondition for belief, nor does it seek to confine God's blessing to narrow, humanly defined boundaries.