Luke 4:24

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

And {G1161} he said {G2036}, Verily {G281} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213},{G3754} No {G3762} prophet {G4396} is {G2076} accepted {G1184} in {G1722} his own {G846} country {G3968}.

Yes!" he said, "I tell you that no prophet is accepted in his home town.

Then He added, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown.

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

Context

Luke 4:24 is spoken by Jesus in His hometown synagogue in Nazareth, immediately following His powerful declaration that the prophecy from Isaiah 61:1-2 had been fulfilled in their hearing (Luke 4:21). Initially, the people were amazed by His gracious words (Luke 4:22), but their wonder quickly turned to skepticism as they questioned, "Is not this Joseph's son?" Their familiarity with Jesus' humble origins as the carpenter's son led them to doubt His divine authority and prophetic claims. This verse serves as Jesus' direct response to their underlying unbelief and prejudice, setting the stage for His subsequent examples of God's work extending beyond Israel.

Key Themes

  • Rejection by Familiarity: The primary message is that people often struggle to accept profound truth or divine messengers when they come from a familiar background or source. The citizens of Nazareth could not reconcile their image of "Joseph's son" with the authoritative prophet proclaiming good news.
  • Skepticism and Unbelief: The verse highlights the human tendency towards skepticism when faced with something that challenges preconceived notions, especially when it involves someone they believe they know intimately. Their familiarity bred contempt or, at best, a lack of genuine receptivity.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Unconventional Paths: Jesus' statement implicitly teaches that God's chosen messengers and methods may not always align with human expectations or preferences. Prophets, by nature, often challenge the status quo and are therefore frequently met with resistance, particularly in their own communities. This truth is echoed in John 1:11, where Jesus came unto his own, and his own received him not.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Verily I say unto you" translates the Greek Amen, amen lego humin, which is a strong declaration of truth and authority often used by Jesus to introduce a significant statement. It emphasizes the absolute certainty and importance of what follows. The word "prophet" (Greek: prophētēs) refers to one who speaks forth for God, delivering divine messages. "Accepted" (Greek: dektos) means to be received, welcomed, or agreeable. In this context, it signifies being recognized and honored for one's divine commission and message.

Related Scriptures

  • This saying is also found in other Gospels, indicating its significance in Jesus' ministry: Matthew 13:57, Mark 6:4, and John 4:44.
  • Following this statement, Jesus gives examples of prophets not being accepted in their own land, citing Elijah and Elisha, whose ministries extended to Gentiles because of Israel's unfaithfulness (Luke 4:25-27).

Practical Application

Luke 4:24 offers several timeless applications for believers today:

  • Overcoming Prejudice: It challenges us to examine our own biases and preconceived notions, especially when evaluating truth or spiritual insights that come from unexpected or familiar sources. True wisdom can emerge from anyone, regardless of their background.
  • Challenges in Witnessing: Those who seek to share their faith or serve God may find it most challenging to do so among their closest family and friends, or in their own communities. Familiarity can sometimes hinder receptivity to spiritual transformation.
  • Humility and Perseverance: The verse reminds us that true acceptance of God's message often requires humility and a willingness to transcend human judgment based on outward appearances or origins. It also encourages perseverance for those who face rejection, knowing that even Jesus experienced this.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 13:57

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

  • John 4:44

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

  • Mark 6:4

    But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

  • Mark 6:5

    And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed [them].

  • Acts 22:3

    ¶ I am verily a man [which am] a Jew, born in Tarsus, [a city] in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, [and] taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

  • Acts 22:18

    And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.

  • Acts 22:22

    ¶ And they gave him audience unto this word, and [then] lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a [fellow] from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

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