Luke 4 43

Luke 4:43 kjv

And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.

Luke 4:43 nkjv

but He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent."

Luke 4:43 niv

But he said, "I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent."

Luke 4:43 esv

but he said to them, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose."

Luke 4:43 nlt

But he replied, "I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent."

Luke 4 verses

Luke 4 43 Meaning

Luke 4:43 reveals Jesus' profound declaration of His primary mission. When the crowds sought to keep Him in Capernaum for His healing power and authoritative teaching, He stated that His divine mandate was to evangelize, specifically to "proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God," not only to their town but "to the other towns also." This mission was a non-negotiable divine imperative, as it was "why" He "was sent" by the Father. It clarifies that His ministry extends beyond physical miracles or localized popularity, centering on the universal declaration of God's sovereign rule and salvation.

Luke 4 43 Context

Luke 4:43 comes directly after Jesus' impactful ministry in Capernaum. In Capernaum (Lk 4:31-41), Jesus demonstrated incredible authority through teaching, exorcising demons, and healing many, including Peter’s mother-in-law. This led the people to seek Him out in a deserted place, attempting to keep Him with them exclusively (Lk 4:42), likely valuing His power for healing and comfort. Verse 43 is Jesus’ firm yet gracious response, setting boundaries on their desires by reiterating His divinely appointed purpose.

This passage builds upon Jesus' inaugural sermon in Nazareth (Lk 4:16-30), where He announced His mission to proclaim "good news to the poor," thereby aligning Himself with Isa 61:1-2. Having been rejected in Nazareth, His move to Capernaum and the subsequent demand by the crowds highlighted a consistent theme in His ministry: human desires often diverged from His higher, spiritual, and expansive calling. Jesus clarifies that His identity and actions are governed by God's sending, prioritizing the spreading of the Kingdom message to all who need to hear it, beyond a single community's needs.

Luke 4 43 Word analysis

• But (δὲ - de): This conjunction introduces a contrast. It highlights Jesus' setting aside the crowd's desire for Him to stay in one place, affirming His divinely mandated itinerary and mission over popular appeal or immediate physical needs.
• He said (εἶπεν - eipen): A straightforward declaration from Jesus. This is not a question or suggestion but a statement of truth regarding His purpose.
• to them (αὐτοῖς - autois): Directly addressing the crowd who sought to detain Him. Jesus makes His mission clear to those present, who represent the local human perspective wanting to confine Him.
• I must (δεῖ - dei): This Greek term denotes a divine necessity or obligation. It signifies that Jesus' mission is not merely His choice or preference but a non-negotiable part of God’s redemptive plan for Him. It reveals His unwavering commitment to His Father's will, essential for the fulfillment of prophecies and the establishment of the Kingdom. This implies pre-ordination and a task He is compelled by His divine nature to complete.
• proclaim the good news (εὐαγγελίσασθαι - euangelísasthai): From euangelizomai, meaning "to evangelize," "to bring good tidings," or "to preach the gospel." It speaks of declaring a joyous message. This verb underscores the nature of Jesus' primary activity – communicating God’s message of salvation and transformation. The content is joyful because it brings liberation from sin and entrance into God’s reign.
• of the kingdom of God (τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ - tēn basileían tou theou): The core subject of Jesus’ entire ministry. It refers not to an earthly geopolitical empire, but to God’s sovereign reign, His rule, both present in the Person and work of Jesus Christ and future in its full consummation. It embodies God's saving power, divine justice, and righteousness. This term subtly counters Jewish messianic expectations of a purely political liberator, emphasizing spiritual transformation and submission to God's authority over specific temporal or nationalistic goals. It also subtly stands as a polemic against any claim of ultimate earthly power (e.g., Roman Emperor), asserting God's ultimate kingship.
• to the other towns also (καὶ ταῖς ἑτέραις πόλεσιν - kai tais heterais polesin): This phrase emphasizes the expansive, non-exclusive nature of Jesus' mission. His ministry is not confined to one region or people but extends broadly. The inclusion of "also" (καὶ) signifies that while He has ministered here, His call is to reach beyond the current location, indicating an itinerant ministry strategy driven by divine imperative.
• because that is why (ὅτι ἐπὶ τοῦτο - hoti epí touto): This explains the reason or purpose behind the divine "must." It shows a direct causal link between His commission and His subsequent actions.
• I was sent (ἀπεστάλην - apestálēn): Passive voice of apostellō (to send out, commission). This clearly indicates that God the Father is the Sender, and Jesus is the divinely commissioned Messenger. His entire being and mission are defined by this divine act of sending. This assertion highlights Jesus' divine origin and unique authority, signifying that His role is pre-determined and foundational to God’s plan of salvation, not something He self-initiated.

Luke 4 43 Bonus section

The profound assertion "I must proclaim... because that is why I was sent" serves not only as Jesus' mission statement but also as a foundational pattern for the early Christian mission. His commissioning by the Father to preach the Kingdom prefigures the sending of the apostles and, by extension, all believers (Mt 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). The priority Jesus places on "proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God" establishes this message as the absolute central theme of Christian evangelism, even over immediate needs for physical relief. This verse inherently presents a polemic against a purely nationalist or physical interpretation of the Messiah's role, asserting God's wider, spiritual reign for all humanity. It underscores that the content of the message (the Kingdom) and the mandate (divine sending) dictate the scope (to all towns) of the ministry.

Luke 4 43 Commentary

Luke 4:43 stands as a pivotal verse, encapsulating the true nature of Jesus' mission and Messiahship. It highlights a critical distinction between the crowd's localized desires (focused on healing and physical presence) and Jesus' expansive, divinely appointed purpose: to proclaim the Kingdom of God universally. The phrase "I must proclaim... because that is why I was sent" powerfully communicates divine necessity. It underscores that Jesus' actions are not governed by human will, popular demand, or personal inclination, but by the Father’s sovereign plan and commission. This kingdom message is "good news" because it inaugurates God's redemptive reign, offering salvation, freedom, and renewed life. Jesus' refusal to be confined emphasizes His role as the bearer of this universal good news, demonstrating that God's plan extends beyond any one place or group, ensuring that all might have the opportunity to hear and enter His Kingdom.

• Example: Imagine a fire department whose only station is very popular for treating minor injuries. The public might want them to stay in the station just for first aid. But the firefighters respond, "We must also go to other areas because we were sent to fight fires everywhere." Jesus is the spiritual "firefighter" whose primary mission, like a fire department's, is far more extensive than merely local first aid; it's about the pervasive proclamation of God's transformative reign.