What does Luke 4:17 mean?

And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, Luke 4:17

Explanation

Luke 4:17 describes a moment in which Jesus returns to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and goes into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. Here, Jesus participates in the reading of the scriptures, which was a common practice in Jewish synagogue services. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah (referred to as Esaias in the King James Version) is handed to him, and he unrolls it to a specific passage.

This verse serves not only as a narrative detail but also as a significant turning point in Jesus’ ministry. It signifies the beginning of his public proclamation of his messianic role and mission. The moment he finds and reads the passage is deeply symbolic; it is the fulfillment of prophecy and suggests divine control in the unfolding events. The passage Jesus reads, which continues into Luke 4:18-19, outlines the nature of Jesus’ messianic mission, emphasizing themes such as liberation, healing, and the proclamation of the kingdom of God.

Historical Context

During the time of Jesus, the synagogue was the central institution for Jewish worship and learning. Reading from the Torah and the prophets was a key element of the synagogue service. The text indicates that Jesus reads from the book of Isaiah, which was a well-known and significant text within the Jewish tradition.

The synagogue service typically included readings followed by a teaching or commentary. In Jesus’ era, the scroll of scripture was quite literally a scroll, a long piece of parchment or papyrus with the text written on it that had to be unrolled to the desired passage. The fact that Jesus is handed the scroll and finds a specific passage to read highlights both his literacy and his intentionality in selecting a passage that speaks to his purpose.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this moment is pivotal as it reveals Jesus as the Messiah who fulfills the prophecies of the Old Testament. By reading from Isaiah, Jesus demonstrates that his life and ministry were foretold by the prophets. This aligns with the Christian understanding of the Old Testament as predictive and the New Testament as the fulfillment of those predictions.

Some theologians also discuss the sovereignty of God in this event. Jesus’ act of finding and reading a specific section is seen as the unfolding of divine will, governed by the providence of God who orchestrates history in accordance with His purposes.

Practical Applications

For believers, the application of this verse can be multifaceted. It can inspire individuals to see their own lives within the context of a larger divine narrative. Christians may take from this the importance of scripture in discerning their purpose and calling. Emulating Jesus, believers might learn to engage with the Bible not merely as a ritual, but as a means to understand and fulfill God’s mission for them.

Furthermore, the passage encourages the faithful to be literate and fluent in their sacred texts, to seek out the meanings and implications for their lives and contexts.

Cross-References

• Isaiah 61:1-2, which is the passage that Jesus reads following Luke 4:17.
• Luke 4:18-19, which quotes the Isaiah passage and amplifies its significance.
• Acts 8:28-35, which describes the Ethiopian eunuch reading from the book of Isaiah and seeking understanding, highlighting the book’s importance in the early church.

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the verb used for “delivered” is “ἐπιδίδωμι” (epididōmi), which conveys the act of handing over or giving something to someone. The term highlights the formality and intentionality of handing over the scriptures for a reading.

The word for “book” in Greek is “βιβλίον” (biblion), which can mean “scroll” as well as “book” because bound books were not yet in use during this time. The reference to “prophet Esaias” is to the prophet Isaiah.

For “opened,” the Greek “ἀναπτύσσω” (anaptussō) is used, meaning to unroll or unfold, indicating Jesus unrolled the scroll to locate the passage he intended to read.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparison to other ancient myths and religious interpretations, the role of prophecy and the fulfillment thereof is a recurring theme in many religious traditions. Cultures such as the Greeks also had their oracles and prophecies. However, the Judeo-Christian tradition is somewhat unique in its specificity and portrayal of prophecy fulfillment as a central validating point for its central figures.

Scientific Perspectives

The verse itself does not directly intersect with modern scientific understandings. However, the practice of reading and the importance of literacy may touch on educational and cognitive sciences, which study the effects of reading and interpretive practices on human development and culture.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars often comment on the precision with which Luke describes the reading from Isaiah, noting that it indicates Jesus’ awareness of his mission. Commentaries might also point out the significance of Jesus’ actions in the synagogue as a declaration of the start of his ministry and a fulfillment of prophecy. They discuss the importance of Jesus’ audience recognizing the connection between his message and the pivotal text from Isaiah. Commentators often reflect on Jesus’ selection from Isaiah as an intentional declaration of his messianic purpose and a message of hope and liberation that he embodied and brought to fruition.