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.

LUKE 4:29KJV
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Luke 4:29 (KJV)

What does Luke 4:29 mean?

Luke 4:29 describes how the people in Jesus’ hometown became so angry with him that they forced him out of the city and tried to throw him off a cliff. This verse shows a moment when Jesus faced violent rejection from those who knew him since childhood.

In this scene, Jesus is in Nazareth, speaking in the synagogue to people who grew up with him. After Jesus’ words challenge them, the crowd reacts with hostility, physically driving him out to the edge of the hill where their town is built. The verse highlights the intensity of their anger—they are not just upset, but ready to kill him by casting him down the steep slope.

The Greek behind Luke 4:29

  • ἐξέβαλον (exebalon, “thrust”): This word means to throw out or expel forcefully. It shows that the crowd did not simply ask Jesus to leave—they physically forced him out.
  • ὀφρύς (ophrus, “brow”): This term refers to the edge or crest, here meaning the top edge of the hill. It adds a vivid detail, emphasizing the danger Jesus faced.
  • κατακρημνίζω (katakremnizo, “cast…headlong”): This verb means to throw someone down from a height, especially off a cliff. The use of this word makes it clear the crowd intended real harm, not just to scare Jesus.

Why Luke 4:29 matters

  • Luke 4:29 clears up any idea that Jesus’ early ministry was always welcomed; even his own neighbors responded with violence when challenged.
  • The verse emphasizes the real risk and danger Jesus faced, setting the stage for understanding the opposition he would encounter throughout his ministry.
  • This moment connects to the wider passage by showing how Jesus’ message could provoke strong reactions, fulfilling what he said earlier in the synagogue about prophets not being accepted in their hometown.

Where else these words appear

“built” Greek G3618 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
  • Luke 6:48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
  • Acts 7:47 But Solomon built him an house.

“of” Greek G1854 · used in 64 verses

  • Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
  • Luke 13:25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
  • 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.

“hill” Greek G3735 · used in 65 verses

  • Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
  • Mark 9:9 And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.
  • John 6:15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

“led” Greek G71 · used in 71 verses

  • Matthew 10:18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
  • Luke 24:21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
  • Acts 17:15 And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.