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 4:29KJVWhat 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.