And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them.

LUKE 4:42KJV
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Luke 4:42 (KJV)

What does Luke 4:42 mean?

Luke 4:42 describes how, at daybreak, Jesus left to be alone in a deserted place, but crowds of people searched for Him, found Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them. The verse shows the people’s eagerness for Jesus’ presence and teaching, and Jesus’ need to withdraw for solitude.

The setting is early in Jesus’ ministry, after He had been healing and teaching in Galilee. Jesus seeks a quiet place, likely for prayer or rest, but the people are so drawn to Him that they go looking for Him and beg Him to stay. This moment highlights both Jesus’ popularity and His pattern of seeking time apart, even as the crowds press in with their needs.

The Greek behind Luke 4:42

  • The word for “desert” is ἔρημος (erēmos), which means a lonely or uninhabited place. This emphasizes that Jesus was seeking true solitude, away from towns and people.
  • The verb κατεῖχον (kateichon), translated as “stayed” or “restrained,” means to hold back or detain. The people were not just asking Jesus to stay—they were actively trying to keep Him from leaving, showing their strong desire for His presence.

Why Luke 4:42 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Jesus intentionally sought solitude, even when surrounded by urgent needs, showing the importance He placed on time alone, likely for prayer or renewal.
  • The people’s effort to keep Jesus with them reveals how deeply they valued His words and actions, helping us see the impact He was having in Galilee.
  • Luke 4:42 sets up the following verses, where Jesus explains His mission to preach elsewhere, highlighting that His purpose was broader than staying in one place, even when people wanted Him to remain.

Where else these words appear

“stayed” Greek G2722 · used in 19 verses

  • Matthew 21:38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
  • Romans 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
  • 2 Thessalonians 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

“desert” Greek G2048 · used in 50 verses

  • Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
  • Mark 6:35 And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed:
  • John 11:54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.

“place” Greek G5117 · used in 88 verses

  • Matthew 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
  • Luke 14:22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
  • Acts 12:17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.

“sought” Greek G2212 · used in 116 verses

  • Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
  • Luke 13:7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
  • John 16:19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?