Luke 4:30

KJV

But he passing through the midst of them went his way,

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} he {G846} passing {G1330} through {G1223} the midst {G3319} of them {G846} went his way {G4198},

Complete Jewish Bible

But he walked right through the middle of the crowd and went away.

Berean Standard Bible

But Jesus passed through the crowd and went on His way.

American Standard Version

But he passing through the midst of them went his way.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 4:30 presents a succinct yet profound account of Jesus' miraculous escape from a hostile crowd in His hometown of Nazareth. Following His bold declaration in the synagogue that He was the fulfillment of Isaiah's messianic prophecy, the initial admiration of the people turned to murderous rage when He challenged their narrow, nationalistic expectations. This verse captures the moment Jesus, facing imminent violence, supernaturally passed through the midst of His would-be assailants, demonstrating His divine authority and the sovereign protection of God over His ministry until His appointed time.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the dramatic climax of Jesus' visit to Nazareth, His hometown, as recorded in [Luke 4:16-30](/luke/4-16-30 "Jesus' Rejection in Nazareth"). Jesus had just read from [Isaiah 61:1-2](/isaiah/61-1-2 "Isaiah's Prophecy of the Messiah") in the synagogue, declaring its fulfillment in Himself. Initially, the people were amazed by His gracious words. However, their admiration quickly soured into incredulity and then violent anger when Jesus challenged their presumptions about God's favor, citing the examples of Elijah and Elisha ministering to Gentiles ([Luke 4:25-27](/luke/4-25-27 "Elijah and Elisha Ministering to Gentiles")). This provoked them to such a degree that they rose up, dragged Him out of the city, and intended to throw Him off a cliff ([Luke 4:28-29](/luke/4-28-29 "The Crowd Attempts to Kill Jesus")). Luke 4:30 then describes Jesus' unhindered departure, marking a pivotal moment where His divine authority is clearly manifested in the face of human opposition, setting the stage for His subsequent ministry in Capernaum ([Luke 4:31](/luke/4-31 "Jesus Teaches in Capernaum")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' return to Nazareth was a significant cultural event, as a prophet was expected to be honored in his own town. The synagogue was the center of Jewish community life and worship, where Scripture was read and expounded. The people's initial amazement at Jesus' "gracious words" reflected their familiarity with Him as "Joseph's son" ([Luke 4:22](/luke/4-22 "Jesus, Joseph's Son")). However, their subsequent rage stemmed from a deep-seated nationalistic pride and a misunderstanding of the Messiah's mission. They expected a Messiah who would exclusively favor Israel and deliver them from Roman oppression, not one who would suggest God's blessing extended to Gentiles. The attempt to throw Jesus off a cliff was a form of summary execution, a violent act of mob justice, reflecting the extreme offense they took at His words. This incident highlights the intense cultural and religious expectations Jesus navigated, often challenging the established norms and interpretations of His day.

* **Key Themes:** This incident in Nazareth contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **divine authority and sovereignty**; Jesus' unhindered passage through the mob demonstrates a supernatural control over His circumstances, asserting that His life and ministry would unfold according to God's timetable, not human malice. Secondly, it underscores the recurring theme of the **rejection of the Messiah** by His own people, a motif prominent throughout the Gospels, notably in [John 1:11](/john/1-11 "Jesus Came to His Own, and His Own Received Him Not"). This early rejection in His hometown foreshadows the broader opposition Jesus would face from religious leaders and many within Israel. Finally, it subtly introduces the theme of **God's inclusive plan of salvation**, as Jesus' references to Gentile beneficiaries of God's grace ([Luke 4:25-27](/luke/4-25-27 "Elijah and Elisha's Ministry to Gentiles")) ignited the crowd's fury, yet ultimately pointed to the universal scope of the gospel that would be fully realized through His death and resurrection.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **passing (Greek, _diérchomai'_):** This word (G1330) signifies "to traverse" or "to go through." In this context, it implies more than a simple walk or a clever evasion. It suggests a deliberate, unhindered movement through a space that should have been impassable due to the hostile crowd. It conveys a sense of supernatural ease, as if the physical obstacles posed by the mob were simply non-existent for Jesus, emphasizing His divine control over the situation.
* **midst (Greek, _mésos'_):** This term (G3319) refers to the "middle" or "center" of something. When Luke states Jesus passed "through the midst of them," it highlights that Jesus was completely surrounded by the enraged crowd. He was not on the periphery, slipping away unnoticed, but at the very heart of the danger, making His escape all the more miraculous and indicative of divine intervention.
* **went his way (Greek, _poreúomai'_):** This verb (G4198) means "to travel," "to go," or "to depart." It describes Jesus' unhindered departure from the scene. Coupled with "passing through the midst of them," it emphasizes the effortless nature of His exit. He did not flee in panic or engage in a struggle; He simply "went his way," as if the mob's attempts to stop Him were utterly futile, reinforcing His sovereignty and the preordained nature of His ministry.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But he passing through the midst of them":** This clause describes Jesus' action of moving through the crowd that had surrounded Him with murderous intent. The conjunction "But" (G1161, _dé_) introduces a sharp contrast to the preceding verse, which depicted the crowd's attempt to throw Him off a cliff. The phrase "passing through the midst of them" implies a supernatural event, where Jesus, despite being physically surrounded and targeted, was able to move unhindered. This was not a physical struggle or a clever maneuver, but an act of divine power that rendered the mob powerless to apprehend Him.
* **"went his way":** This final clause indicates the outcome of Jesus' action: He departed from the scene. It signifies His complete control over the situation and His destiny. He was not forced to flee, but rather chose to "go His way," suggesting a calm, deliberate, and sovereign departure. This emphasizes that His ministry would continue according to God's plan and timing, not according to the will or malice of His enemies.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 4:30 powerfully employs **Miracle** and **Divine Sovereignty** as key literary devices. The most evident device is the **Miracle** itself: Jesus' ability to pass unhindered through a hostile, intent-on-murder mob. This is not explained by natural means (e.g., a clever disguise, a distraction, or a physical struggle), but is presented as an inexplicable, supernatural event. This miraculous escape serves to underscore Jesus' **Divine Sovereignty** and authority. He is not merely a man; He is the Son of God, whose life and ministry are under the direct protection and guidance of the Father, and whose destiny cannot be altered by human will. This incident also functions as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at Jesus' ultimate control over His own death and resurrection. Just as He could not be apprehended before His time, so too would His death be a voluntary act, and His resurrection a demonstration of His ultimate victory over all human and spiritual opposition.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 4:30 is a profound theological statement about the nature of Jesus and the sovereignty of God. It asserts that Jesus' life and ministry were not subject to the whims or malice of human beings, but were meticulously guided by divine providence. This miraculous escape highlights Jesus' inherent divine power, demonstrating that He was not merely a prophet but the Son of God, possessing authority over physical circumstances and human will. It underscores the truth that God's plan for redemption, culminating in the cross and resurrection, would unfold according to His perfect timing, making it impossible for Jesus to be prematurely killed by His enemies. This event serves as an early, dramatic illustration of Jesus' control over His own destiny, a theme that reverberates throughout His ministry until His voluntary surrender to the Father's will on the cross.

* [John 8:59](/john/8-59 "Jesus Escapes the Jews in John 8:59")
* [John 10:18](/john/10-18 "Jesus Lays Down His Life Voluntarily")
* [Matthew 26:53-54](/matthew/26-53-54 "Jesus Could Call Legions of Angels")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Jesus' escape in Luke 4:30 offers profound lessons for believers facing opposition and adversity. It reminds us that our lives, when committed to God's purpose, are held securely in His sovereign hands. Just as Jesus' mission could not be thwarted by human rage, so too can we trust that God will protect and preserve us as we walk in His will, until our appointed tasks are complete. This does not promise immunity from all suffering, but assurance of divine presence and purpose through it. It calls us to cultivate a steadfast faith, focusing on our God-given mission rather than being consumed by fear or deterred by criticism. When we encounter hostility or seemingly insurmountable obstacles, this verse encourages us to remember that God can make a way where there seems to be no way, enabling us to "pass through the midst" of our challenges and continue on the path He has laid out for us, confident in His ultimate victory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or ministry do you feel surrounded by opposition or seemingly insurmountable obstacles?**
* **How does Jesus' calm and sovereign departure in Luke 4:30 encourage you to trust in God's protection and timing?**
* **What "way" is God calling you to "go" that might require His supernatural intervention or a courageous step of faith?**

### FAQ

**How exactly did Jesus "pass through the midst of them"? Was it a physical miracle or a clever escape?**

Answer: The text strongly implies a supernatural or miraculous event rather than a mere clever escape or unnoticed slip-away. The Greek phrase "passing through the midst of them" (G1330 _diérchomai_ G3319 _mésos_) suggests an unhindered movement through a densely packed and hostile crowd. If it were merely a physical maneuver, Luke, a meticulous historian, might have provided more details about how He managed it. Instead, the brevity and directness of the statement, following the explicit attempt to kill Him ([Luke 4:29](/luke/4-29 "The Mob Attempts to Kill Jesus")), point to a divine intervention. It's not that they couldn't see Him, but that they were supernaturally prevented from apprehending Him or were rendered unable to act against Him, perhaps through a temporary spiritual blindness or divine restraint. This parallels other instances where Jesus miraculously eluded His enemies when His "hour had not yet come" ([John 8:59](/john/8-59 "Jesus Escapes the Jews") and [John 10:39](/john/10-39 "Jesus Escapes Their Grasp")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 4:30, while a striking display of Jesus' divine power and protection, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in His avoidance of death, but in His sovereign control over it. This early escape from Nazareth foreshadows a deeper truth: Jesus would not die at the hands of an angry mob, nor would His life be taken from Him prematurely. Instead, He would willingly lay down His life at the appointed time, according to the Father's perfect plan ([John 10:18](/john/10-18 "Jesus Lays Down His Life Voluntarily")). The very same divine authority that allowed Him to pass through the Nazareth crowd would later enable Him to endure the cross, conquer death, and rise again, thereby fulfilling His mission as the 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")). Thus, this verse is not merely about a physical escape, but about the unassailable sovereignty of the Son of God, whose path to Calvary and the empty tomb was divinely orchestrated, ensuring the ultimate triumph of God's redemptive purpose for all humanity.

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 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.

John 10:39

¶ Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,

John 18:6

As soon then as he had said unto them, I am [he], they went backward, and fell to the ground.

John 18:7

Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

Acts 12:18

Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.