Luke 4:21

KJV

And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} he began {G756} to say {G3004} unto {G4314} them {G846}, This {G3754} day {G4594} is {G4137} this {G3778} scripture {G1124} fulfilled {G4137} in {G1722} your {G5216} ears {G3775}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He started to speak to them: "Today, as you heard it read, this passage of the Tanakh was fulfilled!"

Berean Standard Bible

and He began by saying, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

American Standard Version

And he began to say unto them, To-day hath this scripture been fulfilled in your ears.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 4:21 records a pivotal declaration by Jesus in the synagogue at Nazareth, immediately following His reading from the prophet Isaiah. With this concise yet profound statement—"This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears"—Jesus publicly announces the inauguration of His messianic ministry, asserting that the ancient prophecies of God's redemptive work are now, in His person and presence, being brought to their climactic realization before the very eyes and ears of His audience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climax of Jesus's inaugural sermon in His hometown synagogue, following His reading of a significant passage from [Isaiah 61:1-2](/isaiah/61-1-2 "Isaiah's Prophecy of the Anointed One"). The preceding verses describe Jesus's return to Galilee, His growing fame, and His teaching in various synagogues. His arrival in Nazareth and the subsequent synagogue service are presented as a deliberate, divinely appointed moment. After reading the scroll, Jesus closed it, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down—a posture of teaching. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him, creating an atmosphere of intense anticipation. His declaration in [Luke 4:21](/luke/4-21 "Jesus Declares Fulfillment of Scripture") is the first word He speaks after this pregnant pause, directly connecting Himself to the prophetic text and setting the stage for the dramatic reaction and eventual rejection by His townsfolk, detailed in [Luke 4:28-30](/luke/4-28-30 "The Rejection of Jesus in Nazareth").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Synagogues in first-century Judea and Galilee served as central community hubs for religious instruction, prayer, and social gathering. It was customary for a visiting rabbi or esteemed member of the community to be invited to read from the Torah or Prophets and then offer a commentary or sermon. Jesus, as a recognized teacher, was afforded this opportunity. The audience in Nazareth would have been familiar with the prophecies of Isaiah, particularly those concerning the coming Messiah and the dawn of a new age of salvation. Their expectations, however, were often shaped by nationalistic and political hopes for a conquering king, rather than a suffering servant or a spiritual liberator. Jesus's bold claim, delivered in His childhood home, would have been particularly shocking and challenging to their preconceived notions of the Messiah and their understanding of divine timing.
* **Key Themes:** [Luke 4:21](/luke/4-21 "Jesus Declares Fulfillment of Scripture") is a foundational verse for several key themes in Luke's Gospel and broader New Testament theology. The most prominent is **Messianic Fulfillment**, where Jesus explicitly identifies Himself as the long-awaited Anointed One, bringing to fruition centuries of prophetic expectation. This declaration underscores the **"Now" of God's Kingdom**, emphasizing that the eschatological age, previously anticipated, has decisively broken into human history through Jesus's person and ministry. This immediacy is crucial to Luke's narrative, as seen in Jesus's proclamation in [Mark 1:15](/mark/1-15 "Jesus Proclaims the Kingdom of God"). Furthermore, Jesus's authoritative declaration highlights His **Divine Authority**, not merely as a prophet, but as the one who embodies and enacts God's redemptive plan. This authority is a recurring motif in Luke, from His teaching (e.g., [Luke 4:32](/luke/4-32 "Jesus's Authoritative Teaching")) to His power over demons and disease (e.g., [Luke 4:36](/luke/4-36 "Jesus's Authority Over Demons")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fulfilled (Greek, _plēróō'_):** From G4137, meaning "to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc." In this context, the perfect passive indicative form (πεπλήρωται, _peplērōtai_) signifies a completed action with ongoing results. It means the scripture "has been filled full," "has been accomplished," or "has been brought to its full measure" in the present moment. This is not a future event, but a present reality.
* **day (Greek, _sḗmeron'_):** From G4594, meaning "on the (i.e. this) day (or night current or just passed); generally, now (i.e. at present, hitherto)." The adverb "this day" emphasizes the immediate, present-day reality of the prophecy's fulfillment. It highlights the decisive moment in salvation history where God's promises are no longer merely future hopes but are actively being realized.
* **ears (Greek, _oûs'_):** From G3775, meaning "the ear (physically or mentally)." The phrase "in your ears" (ἐν τοῖς ὠσὶν ὑμῶν) uses the preposition G1722 (_en_), denoting "fixed position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality." This emphasizes that the audience was not just hearing words, but directly experiencing and witnessing the very unfolding of God's redemptive plan in their immediate presence, making them direct hearers and potential recipients of this fulfillment. It implies both physical hearing and the call to spiritual understanding and reception.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he began to say unto them":** This opening phrase, using G1161 (_dé_) and G756 (_árchomai_), signifies the commencement of Jesus's direct address and the start of His public teaching ministry in Nazareth. The verb "began" (G756, _árchomai_) suggests the initiation of a significant new phase, a turning point in His public declarations. The audience, having been fixed on Him, was now ready to hear His interpretation of the scripture He had just read.
* **"This day is this scripture fulfilled":** This is the core declaration. "This day" (G4594, _sḗmeron_) emphatically points to the present moment. "This scripture" (G3778, _hoûtos_ + G1124, _graphḗ_) refers specifically to the passage from Isaiah 61:1-2 that Jesus had just read. The verb "fulfilled" (G4137, _plēróō_, perfect passive indicative) powerfully asserts that the prophecy has reached its complete and definitive realization. It is not "will be fulfilled" or "is being fulfilled," but "is fulfilled"—a completed action with present, enduring reality. This is Jesus's direct claim to be the Messiah, the one through whom God's ancient promises are brought to fruition.
* **"in your ears.":** This concluding phrase, using G1722 (_en_) and G3775 (_oûs_), underscores the immediate, personal, and undeniable nature of this fulfillment for the audience. It means they are not merely hearing a historical account or a future prediction, but are witnessing the very event of fulfillment with their own senses. It implies a call to perceive and respond to this truth, making them direct participants in this pivotal moment of salvation history.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 4:21 is rich in **Proclamation** and **Fulfillment Language**. Jesus's statement is a direct, authoritative declaration, not a suggestion or a question. It is a definitive announcement of a new era. The use of "This day" (G4594, _sḗmeron_) creates a profound sense of **Immediacy** and **Urgency**, emphasizing that the long-awaited messianic age is not a distant hope but a present reality. There is also an element of **Dramatic Irony**, as the audience, particularly those from His hometown, would struggle to accept this profound claim from someone they knew as the carpenter's son. The phrase "in your ears" serves as a form of **Direct Address** and **Sensory Emphasis**, drawing the audience into the present reality of the prophecy's fulfillment, challenging them to not just hear but to truly comprehend and believe what is unfolding before them.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 4:21 stands as a watershed moment, marking the public inauguration of Jesus's messianic ministry and the decisive breaking in of God's Kingdom. It asserts that the Old Testament prophecies are not merely historical records or future predictions, but find their ultimate and definitive meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. This verse encapsulates the New Testament's core message: that in Jesus, God's redemptive plan, long foretold, has now come to its complete realization. It signifies a shift from anticipation to fulfillment, from promise to presence, inviting all who hear to enter into the benefits of this new covenant reality. The "good news" proclaimed by Isaiah is now embodied in Jesus, bringing liberty, healing, and sight to those who were bound.

* [Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Jesus Fulfills the Law and Prophets")
* [Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Christ is the End of the Law")
* [2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "God's Promises are "Yes" in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 4:21 challenges us to consider the profound implications of Jesus's declaration. If "this day" the scripture is fulfilled, then the Kingdom of God is not merely a distant theological concept or a future hope, but a present reality that demands a response. For us today, this means recognizing that Jesus continues to fulfill God's purposes in the world and in our lives. We are called to live as people who have heard and believed this truth, allowing the liberating, healing, and empowering presence of Christ to shape our daily existence. It compels us to actively participate in His ongoing mission, bringing good news to the poor, liberty to the captives, and sight to the blind, just as He did. This verse invites us to move beyond mere intellectual assent to a vibrant, active faith that embraces the "now" of God's redemptive work through Jesus.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I tend to view God's promises as future hopes rather than present realities?**
* **How does Jesus's declaration of fulfillment in Luke 4:21 impact my understanding of His authority and mission today?**
* **What "good news," "liberty," or "healing" from Isaiah 61:1-2 do I need to experience or share in my own life or community "this day"?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of Jesus reading from Isaiah 61:1-2 before making this declaration?**

Answer: The significance is profound because [Isaiah 61:1-2](/isaiah/61-1-2 "Isaiah's Prophecy of the Anointed One") is a pivotal messianic prophecy. It describes the anointing of one by the Spirit of the Lord to preach good tidings to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to captives, and open the prison to those who are bound, and to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord. By reading this specific passage and then immediately declaring, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears," Jesus was unequivocally identifying Himself as the long-awaited Messiah, the one anointed by God to inaugurate the age of salvation and bring about the promised Kingdom. This act was a public claim to His divine mission and authority, setting the agenda for His entire ministry.

**Why did Jesus stop reading Isaiah 61:2 mid-sentence, omitting "and the day of vengeance of our God"?**

Answer: Jesus's intentional omission of "and the day of vengeance of our God" from [Isaiah 61:2](/isaiah/61-2 "Isaiah 61:2") is highly significant. It highlights the primary focus of His first coming: to inaugurate the "favorable year of the Lord," which is a time of grace, salvation, and liberation. While the "day of vengeance" is also part of God's ultimate plan, it pertains to His second coming and the final judgment. By stopping where He did, Jesus emphasized that His immediate mission was one of mercy, healing, and redemption, not judgment. This selective reading underscored the "already but not yet" nature of the Kingdom of God, where the blessings of salvation are present, but the final consummation and judgment are yet to come. His focus was on the immediate, present fulfillment of God's grace.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 4:21 is a foundational declaration of Christ's messianic identity and the inauguration of the New Covenant. When Jesus declares, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears," He is not merely stating that a prophecy has come to pass; He is asserting that He Himself is the living embodiment and ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The "anointed one" of [Isaiah 61](/isaiah/61 "Isaiah 61 - The Anointed One") is Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit (as seen in [Luke 3:22](/luke/3-22 "Jesus's Baptism and the Holy Spirit")) to bring good news to the poor, liberty to the captives, and sight to the blind. This fulfillment is not just about a historical event, but about the ongoing reality of God's Kingdom breaking into the world through Christ. His life, death, and resurrection are the ultimate expressions of this fulfillment, culminating in the forgiveness of sins (as declared in [Acts 13:38-39](/acts/13-38-39 "Forgiveness of Sins Through Jesus")) and the establishment of a new covenant relationship with God (as promised in [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "The New Covenant") and enacted through Christ's blood, [Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "The New Covenant in Jesus's Blood")). Thus, in Jesus, the ancient hopes and promises of God find their glorious and complete "yes" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "God's Promises are "Yes" in Christ")), inviting all humanity to experience the liberating and life-transforming power of His reign.

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

John 4:25

The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.

John 4:26

Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am [he].

Matthew 13:14

And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

Acts 3:18

But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

Acts 2:16

But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

Acts 2:18

And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

Luke 10:23

And he turned him unto [his] disciples, and said privately, Blessed [are] the eyes which see the things that ye see: