Luke 4:16

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he came {G2064} to {G1519} Nazareth {G3478}, where {G3757} he had been {G2258} brought up {G5142}: and {G2532}, as {G2596} his {G846} custom {G1486} was {G2596}, he went {G1525} into {G1519} the synagogue {G4864} on {G1722} the sabbath {G4521} day {G2250}, and {G2532} stood up {G450} for to read {G314}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now when he went to Natzeret, where he had been brought up, on Shabbat he went to the synagogue as usual. He stood up to read,

Berean Standard Bible

Then Jesus came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath. And when He stood up to read,

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 4:16 chronicles a pivotal moment in the early public ministry of Jesus, depicting His return to Nazareth, the town of His upbringing. The verse highlights His established practice of attending the synagogue on the Sabbath day, where He stood up to read from the sacred scriptures. This seemingly ordinary act serves as a crucial prelude, setting the stage for Jesus' profound declaration of His messianic mission and the commencement of His authoritative teaching in His hometown.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 4:16 immediately follows Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist and His victorious temptation in the wilderness, events that mark the official inauguration of His public ministry. Having returned to Galilee "in the power of the Spirit" [Luke 4:14](/luke/4-14 "Luke 4:14 - Jesus Returns to Galilee in Power"), Jesus begins teaching in the synagogues throughout the region, gaining widespread acclaim. His arrival in Nazareth, His childhood home, is thus presented as a natural progression within His burgeoning ministry, leading directly into His programmatic sermon where He declares His fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy [Luke 4:17-21](/luke/4-17-21 "Luke 4:17-21 - Jesus Declares His Mission"). The subsequent rejection by His hometown crowd [Luke 4:28-30](/luke/4-28-30 "Luke 4:28-30 - Jesus Rejected in Nazareth") provides a stark contrast to His initial popularity elsewhere in Galilee and foreshadows the broader rejection He would face.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Nazareth was a small, somewhat obscure village in Galilee, often looked down upon by those from more prominent Jewish centers [John 1:46](/john/1-46 "John 1:46 - Can Anything Good Come from Nazareth?"). The synagogue served as the central hub of Jewish community life in the first century, functioning not only as a place of worship and prayer on the Sabbath but also as a school, a court, and a social gathering place. Sabbath observance was a cornerstone of Jewish identity, mandated by the Mosaic Law [Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8-11 "Exodus 20:8-11 - The Sabbath Commandment"). During synagogue services, it was customary for literate men to be invited to read from the Torah or the Prophets, and the reader would stand out of respect for the sacred text. Jesus' participation was entirely consistent with the established religious and cultural norms of His time and people.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several significant themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Jesus' humanity and His faithful obedience** to the Mosaic Law and Jewish tradition. The phrase "as his custom was" emphasizes His consistent piety and lifelong participation in the religious life of His people, demonstrating that He fully lived within the covenant He came to fulfill. Secondly, the **synagogue serves as a crucial platform for divine revelation**. What appears to be an ordinary act of worship becomes the providential setting for Jesus to publicly articulate His messianic mission, drawing directly from the prophetic scriptures. This highlights how God often uses familiar, established structures to introduce new, transformative truth. Finally, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **preparation for prophetic ministry**. Jesus' actions here are not merely ritualistic; they are a deliberate step towards His public unveiling as the Spirit-anointed Messiah, setting the stage for the dramatic declaration found in [Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18-19 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus' Mission Statement").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **custom (Greek, _éthō'_):** (G1486) This word, derived from a primary verb meaning "to be used (by habit or conventionality)," signifies a deep-seated, regular practice. Its use here highlights that Jesus' synagogue attendance on the Sabbath was not an isolated event but a consistent, ingrained pattern in His life. It speaks to His piety, His respect for the Law, and His full participation in the religious life of His community, underscoring His authentic humanity and obedience.
* **Sabbath (Greek, _sábbaton'_):** (G4521) Of Hebrew origin, this term refers to the weekly day of rest from secular avocations, an institution central to Jewish worship and identity. The explicit mention of the Sabbath day emphasizes the sacred context of Jesus' actions, placing His ministry within the framework of God's covenant with Israel. It also subtly foreshadows Jesus' later teachings and actions concerning the Sabbath, revealing His authority as its Lord.
* **read (Greek, _anaginṓskō'_):** (G314) This verb, meaning "to know again" or "to read," refers specifically to the public reading of scripture. In the synagogue context, it implies a formal, respectful engagement with the sacred texts. Jesus' act of standing up to read signifies His readiness to engage with the divine Word, not merely as a participant but as one who is about to expound upon it with unparalleled authority, fulfilling its very prophecies.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up":** This clause establishes the setting as Jesus' childhood home, a place of familiarity and personal history. It grounds Jesus' divine mission in His tangible human experience and upbringing, emphasizing His connection to a specific community and the ordinary rhythms of life before His public ministry fully unfolds.
* **"and, as his custom was,":** This phrase highlights Jesus' consistent and habitual practice of synagogue attendance. It underscores His deep piety and His adherence to the religious traditions and commandments of His Jewish heritage, demonstrating His perfect obedience to God's Law even as He prepared to usher in a new covenant.
* **"he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day,":** This specifies the location and timing of Jesus' action, emphasizing the importance of corporate worship within the Jewish community on the designated day of rest. The synagogue was the focal point for religious instruction and communal gathering, making it the ideal public forum for Jesus' subsequent declaration.
* **"and stood up for to read.":** This final clause describes Jesus' active posture, signifying His readiness to engage with the sacred scriptures. Standing was the customary respectful posture for reading in the synagogue. This seemingly simple act is pregnant with significance, as it provides the direct opportunity for Jesus to publicly declare His messianic identity and mission, setting the stage for the profound events that immediately follow.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 4:16 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Setting** is crucial, as the return to Nazareth, His hometown, creates a sense of familiar backdrop against which extraordinary events are about to unfold. The mention of the synagogue and the Sabbath day further grounds the narrative in specific religious and cultural contexts, highlighting Jesus' integration into Jewish life. The phrase "as his custom was" employs **Repetition** or **Habit**, emphasizing Jesus' consistent piety and obedience, which serves as a foundation for His divine authority. This consistency also sets up a subtle **Foreshadowing**, as this habitual act of reading is about to be transformed into a momentous declaration of His messianic identity. Finally, there is a degree of **Irony** present: the Son of God, who established the Law and the Sabbath, humbly participates in the very traditions He transcends, only to be rejected by those within His own community who ostensibly uphold these traditions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 4:16 is deeply significant as it portrays Jesus not only as fully divine but also as fully human, demonstrating perfect obedience to the Law and a lifelong commitment to communal worship. His consistent practice of attending the synagogue on the Sabbath underscores His identification with His people and His respect for the established religious institutions, even as He prepares to fulfill and redefine them. This verse highlights the sacredness of the Sabbath and the synagogue as a place where God's Word is proclaimed, setting the stage for Jesus to reveal Himself as the living Word and the fulfillment of prophecy. It shows that even the Son of God found value in regular, corporate worship and scriptural engagement, providing a powerful example for all believers.

* [Luke 2:41-42](/luke/2-41-42 "Luke 2:41-42 - Jesus at the Temple as a Boy")
* [Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")
* [Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9-10 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - Sabbath Rest for God's People")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 4:16 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, inviting us to consider the intentionality and consistency of our own spiritual practices. Jesus, though fully God, faithfully participated in the communal worship of His day, setting an enduring example for us. His "custom" reminds us that spiritual growth is often nurtured not just by dramatic encounters, but by consistent, humble engagement with God's Word and His people. We are called to prioritize gathering with fellow believers for worship, instruction, and fellowship, recognizing the vital role it plays in our spiritual formation and in strengthening the body of Christ. Furthermore, Jesus' readiness to stand and read, which led to a powerful declaration, encourages us to be attentive to the seemingly ordinary opportunities God places before us in our daily lives and communities. These routine moments can become divine appointments, platforms for us to live out and articulate the truth of the Gospel, just as Jesus did. Our faithfulness in the small, consistent habits of devotion can prepare us for greater purposes and open doors for God to work through us in unexpected ways.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' consistent practice of synagogue attendance challenge or affirm your own approach to corporate worship and engagement with God's Word?**
* **In what "customs" or routines of your life can you intentionally seek opportunities to honor God or declare His truth, even in seemingly ordinary settings?**
* **Considering Jesus' humility in returning to Nazareth and participating in its local customs, how can we embrace humility and faithfulness in our own spheres of influence, regardless of their perceived significance?**

### FAQ

**Why is it significant that Jesus returned to Nazareth for this event?**

Answer: Jesus' return to Nazareth, His childhood home, is highly significant for several reasons. It underscores His human roots and connection to a specific community, grounding His divine mission in a tangible, relatable context. Nazareth was a humble, even disdained, town, which aligns with the prophetic theme of the Messiah's unassuming arrival. More importantly, this return sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation: Jesus, the prophet, is about to be rejected in His own hometown, fulfilling the proverb He Himself quotes in [Luke 4:24](/luke/4-24 "Luke 4:24 - A Prophet Without Honor"). This initial rejection foreshadows the broader opposition and ultimate rejection He would face from many within Israel, even as He offered them the Good News.

**What was the typical practice of reading in a synagogue service during Jesus' time?**

Answer: During the first century, a typical synagogue service on the Sabbath would involve prayers, readings from the Law (Torah) and the Prophets (Nevi'im), and often a sermon or exposition of the readings. It was customary for literate men to be invited to participate in the readings. The reader would stand out of reverence for the sacred scriptures, unroll the scroll to the designated passage, read it aloud, and then often sit down to give an exposition or sermon. Jesus' act of standing up "for to read" indicates His participation in this established tradition, providing Him with a public platform to deliver His messianic declaration, as recorded in the verses immediately following [Luke 4:16](/luke/4-16 "Luke 4:16 - Jesus in the Synagogue at Nazareth").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 4:16, while describing a seemingly ordinary act, is profoundly Christ-centered, revealing Jesus as the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. His consistent piety and adherence to the Sabbath custom demonstrate His perfect obedience to the Law, not to be bound by it, but to fulfill it completely, thereby becoming the spotless Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). By standing to read in the synagogue, Jesus steps into His prophetic role, not merely as a participant in ritual, but as the very **[Word made flesh!](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")** who embodies and declares the divine message. This act prepares for His authoritative declaration from Isaiah 61, identifying Himself as the Spirit-anointed Messiah who brings good news to the poor, freedom to the captives, and sight to the blind [Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18-19 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus' Mission Statement"). Furthermore, His return to Nazareth and His engagement with the Sabbath highlight His identity as the **[Lord of the Sabbath!](/mark/2-28 "Mark 2:28 - Lord of the Sabbath")**, who redefines its true meaning from burdensome legalism to a day of rest and liberation found in Him. Ultimately, this verse serves as a quiet but powerful prelude to Jesus' public unveiling, showing how the Son of God humbly entered human life and tradition to inaugurate the new covenant, fulfilling all righteousness and ushering in the true kingdom of God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 2:23

And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

Acts 17:2

And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

Mark 6:1

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

Mark 6:3

Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

Acts 13:14

¶ But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

Acts 13:16

Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with [his] hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.

Matthew 13:54

And when he was come 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?