Luke 4:29
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.
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
ἀναστάντες
rose up
G450
ἀναστάντες
rose up
Strong's:
G450
Word #:
2 of 25
to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
αὐτόν·
him
G846
αὐτόν·
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
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἤγαγον
led
G71
ἤγαγον
led
Strong's:
G71
Word #:
9 of 25
properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce
αὐτόν·
him
G846
αὐτόν·
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 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
ἕως
unto
G2193
ἕως
unto
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
11 of 25
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀφρύος
the brow
G3790
ὀφρύος
the brow
Strong's:
G3790
Word #:
13 of 25
the eye-"brow" or forehead, i.e., (figuratively) the brink of a precipice
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐφ'
whereon
G1909
ἐφ'
whereon
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
16 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
οὗ
G3739
οὗ
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
17 of 25
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτόν·
him
G846
αὐτόν·
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
20 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
ᾠκοδόμητο
was built
G3618
ᾠκοδόμητο
was built
Strong's:
G3618
Word #:
21 of 25
to be a house-builder, i.e., construct or (figuratively) confirm
εἰς
that
G1519
εἰς
that
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
22 of 25
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
John 8:59Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.Hebrews 13:12Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.Psalms 37:14The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.John 8:37I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.John 8:40But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.Numbers 15:35And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this attempted murder foreshadow Jesus' crucifixion and the pattern of prophetic rejection?
- What does the crowd's sudden shift to violence reveal about the danger of challenging deeply-held religious presumptions?
- In what ways does religious zeal without true knowledge of God lead to destructive actions?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.