And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.

LUKE 4:23KJV
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Luke 4:23 (KJV)

What does Luke 4:23 mean?

In Luke 4:23, Jesus anticipates what the people in his hometown of Nazareth will demand from him. They have heard that things were done in Capernaum, another town, and will want him to do the same among his own people.

The saying “Physician, heal thyself” pictures a doctor expected to deal with a need close to home. Jesus puts that familiar saying into the mouths of his listeners to describe the challenge he expects from them.

The Greek behind Luke 4:23

  • “proverb” — παραβολή (parabolē): This word can mean a comparison or a saying. Here it introduces a familiar image that Jesus applies to his situation.
  • “country” — πατρίς (patris): This word refers to one’s native place or homeland. Here the surrounding passage identifies Jesus’ “country” with Nazareth, where he had been brought up.

Why Luke 4:23 matters

  • Jesus is predicting a response, not quoting a demand the crowd has already made. He says, “Ye will surely say unto me,” before giving the words he expects.
  • The listeners’ familiarity with Jesus matters. In the previous verse, they ask, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” Their knowledge of his family forms part of the setting for the demand Jesus anticipates.
  • Jesus’ words prepare for his next statement about a prophet in his own country. In verse 24, he says that no prophet is accepted there, setting the local response in a wider pattern.

Where else these words appear

“Physician” Greek G2395 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 9:12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
  • Mark 5:26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
  • Luke 8:43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,

“country” Greek G3968 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 13:54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?
  • Mark 6:1 And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.
  • Luke 4:24 And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.

“surely” Greek G3843 · used in 9 verses

  • Acts 18:21 But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.
  • Acts 28:4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
  • 1 Corinthians 9:10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

“Capernaum” Greek G2584 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 4:13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
  • Mark 2:1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
  • John 2:12 After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.