King James Version

What Does Luke 4:29 Mean?

Luke 4:29 in the King James Version says “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 th...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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. brow: or, edge”

Luke 4:29 · KJV

Context

27

And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.

28

And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,

29

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. brow: or, edge

30

But he passing through the midst of them went his way,

31

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

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The verbs anastantes (ἀναστάντες, rising up), exebalon (ἐξέβαλον, threw out), and ēgagon (ἤγαγον, led) describe violent mob action. They expelled Jesus from the synagogue and city, intent on executing Him by throwing Him off a cliff—katakrēmnisai (κατακρημνίσαι, to cast down headlong).

This attempted murder foreshadows Jesus' crucifixion. His hometown rejected Him first; the nation would follow. The phrase ophryos tou orous (ὀφρύος τοῦ ὄρους, brow/edge of the hill) indicates Nazareth's location on a hillside with steep cliffs nearby. Their intent was clear: kill this blasphemer who challenged their religious assumptions and ethnic pride. Luke's Gospel begins Jesus' public ministry with this rejection, establishing the pattern that will culminate at Calvary.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jewish law prescribed stoning for blasphemy (Leviticus 24:16), typically preceded by throwing the condemned from a height. While this mob action wasn't formal legal execution, it followed that pattern. Nazareth is situated on a hill, and traditional sites identify a precipice south of the town as the likely location. The attempted murder demonstrates how quickly religious crowds can turn violent when their foundational assumptions are challenged. Stephen's later stoning (Acts 7:54-60) followed a similar pattern: enraged religious leaders violently rejecting God's messenger.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this attempted murder foreshadow Jesus' crucifixion and the pattern of prophetic rejection?
  2. What does the crowd's sudden shift to violence reveal about the danger of challenging deeply-held religious presumptions?
  3. In what ways does religious zeal without true knowledge of God lead to destructive actions?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 25 words
καὶ1 of 25

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀναστάντες2 of 25

“rose up”

G450

to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

ἐξέβαλον3 of 25

“and thrust”

G1544

to eject (literally or figuratively)

αὐτόν·4 of 25

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἔξω5 of 25

“out of”

G1854

out(-side) (of doors), literally or figuratively

τῆς6 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πόλις7 of 25

“city”

G4172

a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)

καὶ8 of 25

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἤγαγον9 of 25

“led”

G71

properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce

αὐτόν·10 of 25

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἕως11 of 25

“unto”

G2193

a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)

τῆς12 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὀφρύος13 of 25

“the brow”

G3790

the eye-"brow" or forehead, i.e., (figuratively) the brink of a precipice

τοῦ14 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὄρους15 of 25

“of the hill”

G3735

a mountain (as lifting itself above the plain)

ἐφ'16 of 25

“whereon”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

οὗ17 of 25
G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἡ18 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πόλις19 of 25

“city”

G4172

a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)

αὐτόν·20 of 25

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ᾠκοδόμητο21 of 25

“was built”

G3618

to be a house-builder, i.e., construct or (figuratively) confirm

εἰς22 of 25

“that”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸ23 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κατακρημνίσαι24 of 25

“down headlong”

G2630

to precipitate down

αὐτόν·25 of 25

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 4:29 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 4:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 8:59Acts 21:28-32Acts 7:57-58Acts 16:23-24Numbers 15:35Hebrews 13:12

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