Luke Chapter 4 · Verse 22

Authorized King James Version

Study PDF

And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?

Original Language Analysis

καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 1 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πάντες all G3956
πάντες all
Strong's: G3956
Word #: 2 of 25
all, any, every, the whole
ἐμαρτύρουν bare G3140
ἐμαρτύρουν bare
Strong's: G3140
Word #: 3 of 25
to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)
αὐτοῦ him G846
αὐτοῦ him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 4 of 25
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
καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 5 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐθαύμαζον wondered G2296
ἐθαύμαζον wondered
Strong's: G2296
Word #: 6 of 25
to wonder; by implication, to admire
ἐπὶ at G1909
ἐπὶ at
Strong's: G1909
Word #: 7 of 25
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
ὁ which G3588
ὁ which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 8 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγοις words G3056
λόγοις words
Strong's: G3056
Word #: 9 of 25
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
ὁ which G3588
ὁ which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 10 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χάριτος the gracious G5485
χάριτος the gracious
Strong's: G5485
Word #: 11 of 25
graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart
ὁ which G3588
ὁ which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 12 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκπορευομένοις proceeded G1607
ἐκπορευομένοις proceeded
Strong's: G1607
Word #: 13 of 25
to depart, be discharged, proceed, project
ἐκ out of G1537
ἐκ out of
Strong's: G1537
Word #: 14 of 25
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
ὁ which G3588
ὁ which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 15 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
στόματος mouth G4750
στόματος mouth
Strong's: G4750
Word #: 16 of 25
the mouth (as if a gash in the face); by implication, language (and its relations); figuratively, an opening (in the earth); specially, the front or e
αὐτοῦ him G846
αὐτοῦ him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 17 of 25
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
καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 18 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔλεγον they said G3004
ἔλεγον they said
Strong's: G3004
Word #: 19 of 25
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Οὐχ not G3756
Οὐχ not
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 20 of 25
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
οὗτος this G3778
οὗτος this
Strong's: G3778
Word #: 21 of 25
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
ἐστιν Is G2076
ἐστιν Is
Strong's: G2076
Word #: 22 of 25
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
ὁ which G3588
ὁ which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 23 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱός son G5207
υἱός son
Strong's: G5207
Word #: 24 of 25
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
Ἰωσὴφ Joseph's G2501
Ἰωσὴφ Joseph's
Strong's: G2501
Word #: 25 of 25
joseph, the name of seven israelites

Analysis & Commentary

And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. The Greek emartyroun (ἐμαρτύρουν, bore witness) and ethaumazon (ἐθαύμαζον, were wondering/marveling) describe the synagogue's initial positive response to Jesus' teaching. The phrase logois tēs charitos (λόγοις τῆς χάριτος, words of grace) emphasizes the gracious, attractive quality of Jesus' proclamation—God's kingdom comes as gift, not burden. Yet this admiration proves superficial.

And they said, Is not this Joseph's son? The question reveals cognitive dissonance—how can someone they've known since childhood claim messianic fulfillment? The Greek construction expects a positive answer: "This is Joseph's son, isn't he?" Their familiarity breeds contempt. They cannot reconcile the carpenter's son with the prophesied Messiah. This marks the beginning of their shift from wonder to hostility, culminating in attempted murder (v. 29).

Historical Context

Nazareth was a small Galilean village of perhaps 400 people. Everyone knew everyone's family. Jesus had grown up among these synagogue attendees as Joseph's son, working as a carpenter (Matthew 13:55, Mark 6:3). First-century Jewish culture emphasized family identity and trade inheritance. The crowd's question reflects their inability to see beyond Jesus' humble origins—a pattern repeated throughout His ministry (John 6:42, 7:27-28). Messiah was expected to appear in glory, not grow up among them in obscurity.

Questions for Reflection