42And when day came, he went out and traveled to a deserted place; and the crowds were searching for him and came to him, and were trying to detain him from going away from them. [4:43] But he said to them: "It is necessary for me to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I was sent." [4:44] And he was proclaiming in the synagogues of Judea.
LUK 4:42-44
Jesus Preaches in Judea
In the world it was spoken into
In 1st-century Judea, the synagogue was the central institution of Jewish communal life, serving as a place of worship, teaching, and social gathering. Jesus’ proclamation of the kingdom of God in synagogues would have resonated deeply with Jewish audiences, who were awaiting the fulfillment of prophetic promises about God’s reign. The term (to proclaim good news) carried Messianic overtones, evoking Isaiah’s vision of restoration and deliverance. The crowds seeking Jesus were likely a mix of the curious, the desperate, and the hopeful, drawn by rumors of His miracles and teachings. Their attempt to detain Him reflects the urgency and desperation of a people living under Roman occupation and longing for liberation. Jesus’ insistence on moving to other towns underscores His understanding of His mission as divinely mandated and universal, not confined to a single location or group. This itinerant ministry challenged local expectations of a Messiah tied to a specific place or community.
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How other translations render this
LUK 4:42
- KJV
- And 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.
- BSB
- At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place, and the crowds were looking for Him. They came to Him and tried to keep Him from leaving.
- Koinōnos
- And when day came, he went out and traveled to a deserted place; and the crowds were searching for him and came to him, and were trying to detain him from going away from them.
LUK 4:43
- KJV
- And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.
- BSB
- But Jesus told them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well, because that is why I was sent.”
- Koinōnos
- But he said to them: "It is necessary for me to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I was sent.
LUK 4:44
- KJV
- And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.
- BSB
- And He continued to preach in the synagogues of Judea.
- Koinōnos
- And he was proclaiming in the synagogues of Judea.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Josephus, AntiquitiesAntiquities 18.3.3
›Josephus, Antiquities Antiquities 18.3.3
“Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure.”
Cited to ground: Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ.
Translator's notes
LUK 4:42
- crowds:The word translated 'crowds' often referred to an unorganized, sometimes unruly, mass of people, distinct from a more orderly assembly.
- were detaining:The term translated 'were detaining' implies a strong, persistent effort to hold someone back or keep them in a place, often against their will or intention.
LUK 4:43
- to evangelise:The word translated 'to evangelise' literally means to proclaim good news or glad tidings, emphasizing the positive and transformative nature of the message being shared.
- it behooves:The phrase translated 'it behooves' carries a strong sense of divine necessity or obligation, indicating something that is absolutely required or fitting according to God's plan.