And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.

LUKE 4:43KJV
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Luke 4:43 (KJV)

What does Luke 4:43 mean?

Luke 4:43 explains why Jesus will not remain in one place. He says that he was sent to announce God’s kingdom in other cities too. His purpose reaches beyond the people who want him to stay with them.

After the crowd tries to keep him from leaving in verse 42, Jesus answers them directly. The “kingdom of God” points to God’s rule as king. Jesus presents news about that rule as the message he has been sent to bring.

The Greek behind Luke 4:43

  • “must” — δεῖ (dei): This word carries the sense of necessity. Jesus presents his journey to other cities as something required of him, not merely a preference.
  • “preach” — εὐαγγελίζω (euangelizō): This word means to announce good news. In this verse, the message about God’s kingdom is presented as welcome news.
  • “sent” — ἀποστέλλω (apostellō): This word means to send someone out. It helps show that Jesus describes his work as a task given to him.

Why Luke 4:43 matters

  • Jesus’ answer responds to people who want to keep him near them. The word “also” shows that the other cities belong within the scope of his work.
  • The verse connects Jesus’ message with his reason for being sent. The words “for therefore am I sent” give the reason for his stated necessity.
  • Luke places this statement alongside Jesus’ healing of people in the same area. His answer draws attention to the message he announces, as well as to the help people have seen him give.

Where else these words appear

“preach” Greek G2097 · used in 52 verses

  • Matthew 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
  • Acts 11:20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
  • 2 Corinthians 11:7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?

“other” Greek G2087 · used in 94 verses

  • Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
  • Luke 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
  • Romans 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

“must” Greek G1163 · used in 104 verses

  • Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
  • John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
  • Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

“sent” Greek G649 · used in 130 verses

  • Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
  • Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
  • John 17:18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.