Luke 4:43 - Printer Friendly

ESV: but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”

NIV: But he said, 'I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.'

NASB: But He said to them, 'I must also preach the kingdom of God to the other cities, because I was sent for this purpose.'

CSB: But he said to them, "It is necessary for me to proclaim the good news about the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because I was sent for this purpose."

NLT: But he replied, 'I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent.'

KJV: And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.

NKJV: but He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.”

It would have been good for Jesus to stay in the area near Simon Peter's home (Luke 4:38–41), teaching and healing. However, that is not the purpose for which God called Him. This verse is an example of the difference between "good" and "better," or between "better" and "best." In this earthly life, we are limited in time and resources. We cannot literally do everything for everyone. Part of spiritual maturity is knowing how and when to say "no" to good things, so we can focus on the "best things" to which we are called.

In this case, Jesus could not stay because He needed to spread God's message to other areas. Remaining in one town to establish the gospel is noble. That's a worthy calling, but it wasn't Jesus' calling in that moment. His mission was to fulfill the will of God (John 5:36), which meant visiting other places and other people (Luke 19:10).

Luke 4:31–44 contains examples of Jesus healing as He teaches in Capernaum. These events include exorcising demons and curing diseases. Jesus' work is so popular that He finds it hard to be alone; the people demand He stay and continue. However, His mission includes other cities and towns. Jesus leaves to preach elsewhere, and the next passages record His calling of the disciples.

Jesus is taken into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. While fasting there, He is tempted by Satan. These temptations share an element of ignoring God in favor of what seems easier or quicker. Jesus resists all of these, citing Scripture as He does. When Jesus returns, He preaches and heals to great publicity in Judea and Galilee. While His hometown responds with stubborn skepticism, others are eager to hear His teaching and experience His miraculous power.

Chapter 3 explained how John the Baptist preached to prepare others to receive Jesus Christ. Luke then provided Jesus' earthly ancestry. Chapter 4 begins with Jesus in the wilderness being tempted by Satan. He returns to preach and perform healing miracles in Judea and Galilee. Chapter 5 shows Him calling disciples and demonstrating further proofs of His authority.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.

Accessed 5/4/2024 4:09:29 AM