Luke 4:29

And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.

And {G2532} rose up {G450}, and thrust {G1544} him {G846} out of {G1854} the city {G4172}, and {G2532} led {G71} him {G846} unto {G2193} the brow {G3790} of the hill {G3735} whereon {G1909}{G3739} their {G846} city {G4172} was built {G3618}, that {G1519} they might cast {G2630} him {G846} down headlong {G2630}.

They rose up, drove him out of town and dragged him to the edge of the cliff on which their town was built, intending to throw him off.

They got up, drove Him out of the town, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw Him over the cliff.

and they rose up, and cast him forth out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might throw him down headlong.

Commentary

Luke 4:29 describes a pivotal and dramatic moment in Jesus's early ministry: the violent rejection by the people of His hometown, Nazareth.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus's sermon in the synagogue at Nazareth. Initially, the crowd marveled at His gracious words (Luke 4:22). However, when Jesus addressed their skepticism and implied that God's favor might extend beyond Israel to Gentiles, referencing the widow of Zarephath and Naaman the Syrian (Luke 4:25, Luke 4:27), their admiration turned to fury. They were deeply offended by His challenge to their exclusive nationalistic expectations of the Messiah, leading to this enraged response.

Key Themes

  • Rejection of the Messiah: This incident serves as an early, stark example of the world's rejection of Jesus, foreshadowing His ultimate crucifixion. It highlights the truth that "He came unto his own, and his own received him not."
  • Unbelief and Familiarity: The people of Nazareth, who had known Jesus since childhood, struggled to accept Him as the Messiah, fulfilling the saying, "A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house." Their familiarity bred contempt and resistance to His divine authority.
  • Violent Opposition: The intent to "cast him down headlong" reveals the extreme hatred and murderous intent that Jesus's message could provoke, even in His own community. This was not merely dismissal but an attempt at summary execution at the brow of the hill.
  • Divine Protection: Although not explicitly stated in this verse, the subsequent verse (Luke 4:30) shows Jesus miraculously passing through their midst, demonstrating God's sovereign protection over His Son until His appointed time.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "thrust him out" comes from the Greek verb ekballō (ἐκβάλλω), which implies a forceful, violent expulsion, akin to driving someone out. The intention to "cast him down headlong" uses the Greek katakrēmnizō (κατακρημνίζω), meaning to throw down a precipice or to hurl from a height. This vividly portrays their desire for a quick, brutal end to Jesus from the hill overlooking their city.

Practical Application

Luke 4:29 reminds us that genuine truth, especially divine truth, can often provoke strong reactions, even from those who are initially receptive. It challenges us to examine our own hearts: are we open to God's Word, even when it confronts our preconceived notions or challenges our comfort zones? The passage also underscores the unwavering opposition the Gospel faces, and the sovereign care God provides for those who bear His message. We are called to stand firm in faith, trusting in God's protection even amidst hostility, just as Jesus did.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 8:59

    Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

  • Acts 7:57

    Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

  • Acts 7:58

    And cast [him] out of the city, and stoned [him]: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

  • Numbers 15:35

    And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.

  • John 8:40

    But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.

  • Acts 16:23

    And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast [them] into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

  • Acts 16:24

    Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
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