And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

LUKE 4:20KJV
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Luke 4:20 (KJV)

What does Luke 4:20 mean?

Luke 4:20 describes Jesus finishing his reading from the Scriptures in the synagogue, closing the scroll, handing it back to the attendant, and sitting down, while everyone in the room watches him closely. The verse highlights a moment of anticipation and attention as the people wait to hear what Jesus will say next.

In this scene, Jesus is in a synagogue in Nazareth, his hometown, during a Sabbath service. He has just read from the prophet Isaiah and now returns the scroll (the "book") to the synagogue attendant, a person responsible for the sacred texts. Sitting down was the traditional posture for teaching, so the crowd’s eyes being "fastened on him" shows their expectation that Jesus is about to speak and explain what he just read.

The Greek behind Luke 4:20

  • "Minister" (ὑπηρέτῃ, hupēretē): This word refers to the synagogue attendant, a helper responsible for handling the scrolls and assisting with the service. Knowing this clarifies that Jesus is following the usual synagogue customs.
  • "Fastened" (ἀτενίζω, atenizō): The Greek word here means to look intently or fix one’s gaze. It shows that the people were not just glancing at Jesus but were fully focused on him, signaling the weight of the moment.

Why Luke 4:20 matters

  • This verse sets up the dramatic tension for what Jesus will say next, showing that his actions and words are drawing serious attention from his own community.
  • The detail about Jesus sitting down highlights the teaching customs of the time and signals that he is about to interpret the Scripture, a role usually reserved for respected teachers.
  • The crowd’s intense focus on Jesus hints at both their curiosity and the significance of the moment, especially since he is reading a prophecy many hoped would be fulfilled.

Where else these words appear

“fastened” Greek G816 · used in 14 verses

  • Luke 22:56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.
  • Acts 6:15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
  • Acts 13:9 Then Saul,(who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,

“minister” Greek G5257 · used in 20 verses

  • Matthew 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
  • John 7:45 Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?
  • John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

“book” Greek G975 · used in 28 verses

  • Matthew 19:7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
  • Revelation 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
  • Revelation 6:14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

“again” Greek G591 · used in 46 verses

  • Matthew 5:26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
  • Matthew 22:21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
  • Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.