And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.

LUKE 4:31KJV
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Luke 4:31 (KJV)

What does Luke 4:31 mean?

Luke 4:31 describes Jesus traveling down to the city of Capernaum in the region of Galilee, where he regularly taught the people in their synagogue on the Sabbath days. This verse highlights both the location of Jesus’ ministry at this point and his ongoing practice of teaching on the Jewish day of rest.

The verse is part of a narrative where Jesus moves from Nazareth, after being rejected there, to Capernaum—a significant town by the Sea of Galilee. The focus is on Jesus’ role as a teacher, showing that his ministry involved public instruction in Jewish places of worship, especially on the Sabbath when people gathered for scripture reading and teaching.

The Greek behind Luke 4:31

  • κατέβη (katēbē, "came down"): This word often means to go down from a higher place to a lower one. Here, it reflects the geography—Nazareth is in the hills, while Capernaum is by the lake, at a lower elevation.
  • ἐδίδασκεν (edidasken, "taught"): This verb stresses that Jesus was actively and habitually teaching. The form used here suggests an ongoing activity, not just a one-time event.
  • σάββασιν (sabbasin, "Sabbath days"): The plural form can mean “on Sabbaths” or “on the Sabbath days,” indicating that Jesus’ teaching in Capernaum was a regular, repeated practice, not a single occasion.

Why Luke 4:31 matters

  • Luke 4:31 clarifies that Jesus’ ministry was not limited to his hometown but extended to other key locations in Galilee, marking Capernaum as a central base for his work.
  • The verse emphasizes Jesus’ commitment to teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath, showing his connection to Jewish tradition and the importance of public instruction in his ministry.
  • By mentioning the regularity of Jesus’ teaching, Luke sets up the following stories in Capernaum, where Jesus’ authority and power will be demonstrated through both his words and actions.

Where else these words appear

“down” Greek G2718 · used in 13 verses

  • Luke 9:37 And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.
  • Acts 12:19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.
  • Acts 18:22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.

“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.

“Galilee” Greek G1056 · used in 62 verses

  • Matthew 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
  • Mark 1:39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.
  • Luke 23:55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.

“days” Greek G4521 · used in 62 verses

  • Matthew 12:1 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
  • Luke 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
  • John 5:16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.