Luke 4:31 kjv

And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.

Luke 4:31 nkjv

Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths.

Luke 4:31 niv

Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people.

Luke 4:31 esv

And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath,

Luke 4:31 nlt

Then Jesus went to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and taught there in the synagogue every Sabbath day.

Luke 4 verses

Luke 4 31 Meaning

Luke 4:31 signifies a pivotal geographical and ministry shift for Jesus. Following His rejection in Nazareth, He relocates to Capernaum, establishing it as a new base for His public ministry. The verse highlights His consistent practice of teaching the people, specifically in synagogues, on the Jewish Sabbaths, marking the commencement of His authoritative instruction in Galilee.

Luke 4 31 Context

Luke 4:31 follows immediately after Jesus's challenging experience in His hometown of Nazareth (Lk 4:16-30), where He preached from Isaiah 61 and faced violent rejection due to their unbelief and attempt to throw Him off a cliff. This pivotal moment signifies a geographic and strategic shift in Jesus's public ministry. Having been rejected by those who knew Him best, He relocates His base to Capernaum. This city, strategically located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, offered greater accessibility and anonymity compared to Judea. It was a thriving fishing and commercial center, a 'city' rather than just a village, serving as an ideal hub for His growing ministry. This move marks the beginning of His concentrated public teaching and healing ministry in Galilee, which became the primary stage for many of His early miracles and teachings before His later focus shifted towards Jerusalem.

Luke 4 31 Word analysis

• Then He: Refers to Jesus, immediately after His dramatic rejection and escape from Nazareth. This signals a transition in His ministry focus and location.
• went down: Geographical descriptor. Nazareth is situated on a hill; Capernaum is at a lower elevation by the Sea of Galilee. It also metaphorically suggests a humble relocation.
• to Capernaum: Greek: Kapharnaoum (Καφαρναούμ). This was a fishing town on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, near important trade routes. It became Jesus's 'home city' or operational base during much of His Galilean ministry, replacing Nazareth. It was populous and offered access to diverse audiences.
• a city of Galilee: Identifies Capernaum's regional context within Galilee, highlighting it as a significant hub for public engagement compared to the smaller, more insulated Nazareth.
• and was teaching: Greek: didaskōn (διδάσκων), a present participle, implying continuous or repeated action. This highlights Jesus's primary role as an authoritative instructor. He didn't just speak, but continually conveyed profound truths.
• them: The people of Capernaum and visitors present in the synagogues on the Sabbath, indicating a general audience.
• on the Sabbaths: Greek: sabbatois (σαββάτοις), plural. This signifies a habitual and regular practice over multiple Sabbaths, establishing a pattern of public teaching rooted within the customary religious observance of the Jewish people. It underscores His respect for Jewish custom, even as He would later challenge rigid interpretations of Sabbath law.

Words-group analysis

• Then He went down to Capernaum: This phrase signifies a crucial turning point. Jesus is leaving a place of severe rejection (Nazareth) and moving to a new, more receptive (initially) base for His mission. It illustrates His proactive movement to fulfill His prophetic calling, despite initial setbacks.
• a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths: This highlights the public and official nature of His ministry in His new location. By teaching in a major Galilean city's synagogue(s) on the Sabbath, Jesus leveraged existing structures for religious instruction, ensuring a broad and regular audience. It established Him publicly as a revered teacher within the framework of Jewish religious life.

Luke 4 31 Bonus section

The strategic move to Capernaum from Nazareth is more than a geographical shift; it symbolizes the turning of the gospel focus towards a wider, albeit still Jewish, audience after the initial, expected, but ultimately failed, acceptance in His hometown. Capernaum, as a key trade route and fishing hub, was uniquely positioned to facilitate the rapid spread of Jesus's teachings and reputation. It's noteworthy that Jesus deliberately utilized the existing synagogue system on the Sabbaths. This allowed Him to preach within recognized religious spaces, grounding His radical message within familiar traditions before demonstrating His authority over sickness, demons, and eventually the very Law itself. This move was essential for fulfilling the prophetic anticipation of light rising in Galilee.

Luke 4 31 Commentary

Luke 4:31 marks the critical commencement of Jesus's concentrated public ministry in Galilee. Following His dramatic rejection in Nazareth, He strategically relocates to Capernaum, a bustling city that becomes His primary operational base. This verse highlights His foundational activity: consistent, authoritative teaching within the traditional setting of the synagogues on the Sabbath days. This established pattern underscores Jesus's identity not just as a healer or miracle worker, but fundamentally as the Messiah-Prophet whose primary ministry involves proclaiming and explaining the Kingdom of God, thus drawing attention and setting the stage for the revelation of His unique divine authority and subsequent miraculous demonstrations of power that would follow this initial period of instruction.