Luke 4 42

Luke 4:42 kjv

And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them.

Luke 4:42 nkjv

Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them;

Luke 4:42 niv

At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them.

Luke 4:42 esv

And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them,

Luke 4:42 nlt

Early the next morning Jesus went out to an isolated place. The crowds searched everywhere for him, and when they finally found him, they begged him not to leave them.

Luke 4 verses

Luke 4 42 Meaning

Luke 4:42 describes Jesus' actions immediately following a period of extensive healing and teaching in Capernaum. As day broke, Jesus intentionally withdrew from the town and its expectant crowds to a solitary, desolate place. Despite His withdrawal, the people diligently sought Him out. Upon finding Him, they attempted to restrain Him, hoping to keep Him from leaving their presence, likely to continue receiving His healing and miraculous works. However, Jesus resisted their efforts, steadfast in His divine mission to preach the kingdom of God to other towns.

Luke 4 42 Context

Luke 4:42 follows Jesus' initial period of ministry in Galilee, specifically in Capernaum. Immediately preceding this verse (Luke 4:40-41), Jesus spent the previous evening and night performing numerous miraculous healings and exorcisms for "all who had any sick." This demonstrates His overwhelming power and authority, leading to His immense popularity among the local population. The crowds' desire to detain Him stems from experiencing His powerful works and their longing for continued healing and liberation. Jesus' strategic withdrawal and refusal to stay highlights His distinct understanding of His mission: not solely as a miracle worker for one location, but as the proclaimer of God's Kingdom to many. The chapter began with Jesus declaring His messianic mission from Isaiah in the synagogue at Nazareth (Lk 4:18-19), emphasizing a spiritual and far-reaching proclamation, not just localized benefits.

Luke 4 42 Word analysis

• When it was day (Ancient Greek: γενομένης ἡμέρας, genomenēs hēmeras): This phrase indicates the arrival of dawn, signaling the end of the previous night's intense ministry of healing and exorcisms. It implies a transition from night's urgent demands to a new phase, often associated with a fresh start or new strategic move for Jesus.
• He departed (ἐξελθὼν, exelthōn, from exerchomai): Signifies an intentional withdrawal or stepping out. It is not a casual departure but a deliberate action of disengagement from the immediate situation and setting.
• and went into a desolate place (ἐπορεύθη εἰς ἔρημον τόπον, eporeuthē eis erēmon topon):
  • Went (eporeuthē): A verb of purposeful travel, often implying a journey or specific direction.
  • Desolate place (erēmon topon): Refers to a wilderness, uninhabited, or solitary region. This was Jesus' habitual place for prayer and solitude (Lk 5:16). It speaks to His need for quiet communion with the Father, away from the demands and clamor of human interaction. It's a contrast to the bustling city and signifies a spiritual seeking before further action.
• And the crowds (καὶ οἱ ὄχλοι, kai hoi ochloi): Refers to large multitudes of people. This underscores the immense popular demand for Jesus, indicating His widespread recognition.
• were seeking Him (ἐπεζήτουν αὐτὸν, epezetoun auton):
  • Epizeteo (ἐπιζητέω): An intensive form of zēteō (to seek). It means to seek diligently, earnestly, or thoroughly. This word portrays their active and persistent pursuit of Jesus.
• and came to Him (ἐλθόντες ἦλθον ἕως αὐτοῦ, elthontes hēlthon heōs autou): Expresses that they successfully tracked Him down and reached His location. Their persistent search was fruitful.
• And tried to detain Him (καὶ κατεῖχον αὐτὸν, kai kateichon auton):
  • Kateichon (κατεῖχον): An imperfect tense of katechō, meaning to hold fast, restrain, detain, or cling to. The imperfect tense indicates a continuous or repeated effort. They were not merely asking Him to stay, but actively attempting to keep Him with them, implying a strong desire to prevent His departure.
• so that He would not go from them (τοῦ μὴ πορεύεσθαι ἀπ' αὐτῶν, tou mē poreuesthai ap' autōn):
  • Not go (mē poreuesthai): Their direct intention was to prevent His movement.
  • From them (ap' autōn): This highlights their self-centered focus. Their desire was to keep Him for their own benefit and locality, not necessarily understanding His broader divine mandate.

Luke 4 42 Bonus section

This verse offers a glimpse into the constant pressure Jesus faced during His public ministry and His method for handling it. It illustrates the spiritual discipline of strategic withdrawal and the importance of solitary communion with God. Jesus' withdrawal was not an escape from responsibility but a re-engagement with His source of strength and mission. His firm resistance to being detained serves as an example of adhering to one's core calling, even when met with fervent, but misguided, popular acclaim. This also hints at the struggle leaders may face when their followers desire immediate gratification or personal benefits over the leader's broader, God-given vision. It shows Jesus prioritizing the spiritual and long-term dissemination of the Kingdom message over localized, short-term popularity gained from physical healings.

Luke 4 42 Commentary

Luke 4:42 vividly portrays the tension between popular demand and divine purpose in Jesus' ministry. Despite having ministered tirelessly through the night, Jesus prioritized withdrawal for spiritual renewal and strategic realignment at dawn. His decision to retreat to a desolate place underscores His dependence on the Father and His disciplined approach to ministry, avoiding burnout and distractions. The crowd's earnest pursuit, though indicative of His immediate impact, also reveals their limited understanding of His ultimate mission. They sought Him primarily for continued miraculous benefits—healing and liberation—and attempted to restrain Him from departing. Jesus, however, could not be confined by their desires. His resolute refusal to stay in Capernaum and His subsequent declaration in Luke 4:43—that He "must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also"—demonstrates His unwavering commitment to His expansive, divinely ordained calling. This verse thus illustrates Jesus' constant prioritization of His Father's will and the universal scope of the gospel over localized popularity or human expectations.