Devine Scripture

Luke 4:24

What does Luke 4:24 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 4:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 4:24 means

Verse 24 states, 'No prophet is acceptable in his own country.' Jesus asserts a general truth: familiarity breeds contempt and prevents recognition of divine calling. Prophets are often rejected by those who know their origins because neighbors presuppose the ordinary rather than perceiving God’s extraordinary work. This saying explains why Jesus may face rejection in Nazareth despite earlier praise. It teaches that prophetic authority is not guaranteed by hometown approval and that God’s messengers may encounter resistance where they are best known.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to them, Truly I say to you, No prophet is honoured in his country.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he said, `Verily I say to you--No prophet is accepted in his own country;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he said: Amen I say to you that no prophet is accepted in his own country.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said, Verily I say to you, that no prophet is acceptable in his [own] country.

Context

This pronouncement follows Jesus’ mention of their demand for signs. It prepares the listeners for illustrative examples showing prophets ministering outside Israel. The verse shifts the tone from polite skepticism to a teaching that will provoke anger. It highlights the difficulty of convincing those who think they already know someone’s identity, and it explains why Jesus’ bold claim could lead to hostility rather than acceptance in Nazareth.

v.23And 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.

v.24This passage

v.25But of a truth I say unto you, There were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there came a great famine over all the land;

Cross references

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

  • Mark 6:4

    And Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

  • Acts 22:18

    and saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem; because they will not receive of thee testimony concerning me.

  • John 4:44

    For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honor in his own country.

  • Acts 22:3

    I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as ye all are this day:

  • Matthew 13:57

    And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house.

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