Luke 4:42
What does Luke 4:42 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 4:42 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 4:42 means
Verse 42 says that when it was day, Jesus went out into a desert place, but multitudes sought him and would have detained him so he should not go from them. This reveals Jesus’ need for solitude and prayer after intense ministry, showing dependence on communion with the Father. At the same time, people’s desire to keep him highlights their desperate need for healing and teaching. Their attempt to hold him shows how compelling his ministry was, yet Jesus prioritizes his mission’s scope over local adulation, preparing to move on to other towns to proclaim the kingdom.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And when it was day, he came out and went into a desert place: and the multitudes sought after him, and came unto him, and would have stayed him, that he should not go from them.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And when it was day, he came out and went into a desert place: and the multitudes sought after him, and came unto him, and would have stayed him, that he should not go from them.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when it was day, he came out and went to a waste place; and great numbers of people came looking for him, and they came to him and would have kept him from going away.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And day having come, having gone forth, he went on to a desert place, and the multitudes were seeking him, and they came unto him, and were staying him--not to go on from them,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when it was day, going out he went into a desert place: and the multitudes sought him, and came unto him. And they stayed him that should not depart from them.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And when it was day he went out, and went into a desert place, and the crowds sought after him, and came up to him, and [would have] kept him back that he should not go from them.
Context
This verse follows the pattern of busy ministry and private withdrawal. After healing and exorcisms, Jesus seeks solitude but faces persistent crowds. It sets up Jesus’ decision to move on—not to abandon his followers but to fulfill broader mission purposes. The narrative shifts from local attraction to strategic sending, as he declares the need to preach in other cities. Readers see that Jesus balances compassion with mission strategy: one must not be trapped by immediate popularity at the expense of wider calling.
v.41And demons also came out from many, crying out, and saying, Thou art the Son of God. And rebuking them, he suffered them not to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.
v.42This passage
v.43But he said unto them, I must preach the good tidings of the kingdom of God to the other cities also: for therefore was I sent.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 4:34
Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work.
- John 6:24
when the multitude therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they themselves got into the boats, and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.
- John 4:40
So when the Samaritans came unto him, they besought him to abide with them: and he abode there two days.
- Luke 24:29
And they constrained him, saying, Abide with us; for it is toward evening, and the day is now far spent. And he went in to abide with them.
- Luke 8:37
And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes round about asked him to depart from them; for they were holden with great fear: and he entered into a boat, and returned.
- Mark 1:45
But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to spread abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into a city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.
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.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Poverty
God is close to the poor — and so, then, must we be.
Topic
Bible Verses About Children
God’s Word provides profound insights into the rearing, value, and blessing of children, as well as the responsibilities of both parents and children.
Topic
Bible Verses About Communion
Communion, often called the Lord's Supper, is a sacred practice remembering Jesus' sacrifice and looking forward to His return.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for Anxiety Before a Job Interview
Quiet your nerves and walk in with steady steps — six verses to pray on the way.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When Prayer Feels Empty
When the words won't come — scripture for the dry prayer life.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You Feel Forgotten by God
When the prayers feel one-sided — verses for the quiet seasons.