Devine Scripture

Luke 4:23

What does Luke 4:23 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 4:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 4:23 means

In verse 23 Jesus anticipates their skepticism and predicts their demand: 'Physician, heal thyself'—do here what we heard you did at Capernaum. He exposes their desire for signs and personal proof before they will accept him. The phrase implies reluctance to accept prophetic authority without hometown demonstrations. Jesus names their expectation for local validation, highlighting the challenge prophets face in their own communities. His response sets the stage for a teaching about prophetic reception and the principle that God’s work in a prophet does not guarantee hometown acceptance.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he said unto them, Doubtless ye will say unto me this parable, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done at Capernaum, do also here in thine own country.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said unto them, Doubtless ye will say unto me this parable, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done at Capernaum, do also here in thine own country.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to them, Without doubt you will say to me, Let the medical man make himself well: the things which to our knowledge were done at Capernaum, do them here in your country.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he said unto them, `Certainly ye will say to me this simile, Physician, heal thyself; as great things as we heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he said to them: Doubtless you will say to me this similitude: Physician, heal thyself. As great things as we have heard done in Capharnaum, do also here in thy own country.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said to them, Ye will surely say to me this parable, Physician, heal thyself; whatsoever we have heard has taken place in Capernaum do here also in thine own country.

Context

This verse is Jesus’ first measured reply to the congregation’s murmuring. It introduces a proverb-like judgment about a prophet’s reception and precedes his exemplifying statements from Elijah and Elisha. The flow reveals not only local skepticism but also a broader pattern: prophets have often been rejected at home. This prepares the assembly for an uncomfortable correction, moving the scene from flattering wonder to the sting of prophetic rebuke.

v.22And all bare him witness, and wondered at the words of grace which proceeded out of his mouth: and they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?

v.23This passage

v.24And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is acceptable in his own country.

Cross references

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

  • Mark 2:1

    And when he entered again into Capernaum after some days, it was noised that he was in the house.

  • Mark 6:1

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

  • Matthew 4:13

    and leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali:

  • Matthew 11:23

    And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be exalted unto heaven? thou shalt go down unto Hades: for if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in thee, it would have remained until this day.

  • Romans 2:21

    thou therefore that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?

  • John 4:46

    He came therefore again unto Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Luke 4

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Luke 4.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Luke 4:23.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary