Devine Scripture

Luke 4:16

What does Luke 4:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 4:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 4:16 means

Verse 16 places Jesus in Nazareth, his hometown, where he routinely entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood to read. This shows his faithful participation in communal worship and his role within Jewish norms. Returning to where he was 'brought up' highlights his humanity and local ties; it also sets the scene for expectations that neighbors will know him and thus judge him differently. The act of standing to read indicates he had a recognized role, and it foreshadows a pivotal moment when his identity and mission will confront familiar skepticism and opposition.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and he entered, as his custom was, into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up to read.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and he entered, as his custom was, into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up to read.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been as a child, and he went, as his way was, into the Synagogue on the Sabbath, and got up to give a reading.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he came to Nazareth, where he hath been brought up, and he went in, according to his custom, on the sabbath-day, to the synagogue, and stood up to read;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he came to Nazareth, where he was brought up: and he went into the synagogue, according to his custom, on the sabbath day: and he rose up to read.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he came to Nazareth, where he was brought up; and he entered, according to his custom, into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up to read.

Context

This verse moves the scene to Nazareth after Jesus’ growing renown. It sets up an important moment in a familiar religious setting—the synagogue—where he will publicly announce the work of the Messiah. The reader should note the contrast with the earlier warmth of synagogues in other towns. Being home introduces tension: hometown familiarity often breeds unbelief. The verses that follow will show how Jesus’ claim and preaching provoke both wonder and anger among his own people.

v.15And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.

v.16This passage

v.17And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Isaiah. And he opened the book, and found the place where it was written,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 2:39

    And when they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

  • Mark 6:1

    And he went out from thence; and he cometh into his own country; and his disciples follow him.

  • Matthew 13:54

    And coming into his own country he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

  • Acts 13:14

    But they, passing through from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia; and they went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

  • Acts 17:2

    and Paul, as his custom was, went in unto them, and for three sabbath days reasoned with them from the scriptures,

  • John 18:20

    Jesus answered him, I have spoken openly to the world; I ever taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and in secret spake I nothing.

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