Luke 4:44
And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 8
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
κηρύσσων
G2784
κηρύσσων
Strong's:
G2784
Word #:
3 of 8
to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel)
ταῖς
G3588
ταῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 8
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συναγωγαῖς
the synagogues
G4864
συναγωγαῖς
the synagogues
Strong's:
G4864
Word #:
6 of 8
an assemblage of persons; specially, a jewish "synagogue" (the meeting or the place); by analogy, a christian church
Cross References
Historical Context
First-century Galilean synagogues served as community centers for Jewish worship, education, and judicial matters. Archaeological excavations at Capernaum, Magdala, and other sites reveal synagogues from Jesus's era. Any qualified Jewish male could be invited to read Scripture and teach (as Jesus was in Nazareth, 4:16), though this privilege was revoked once someone was deemed heretical by local leadership.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's focus on 'inferior' Galilee rather than prestigious Jerusalem challenge your assumptions about where God works most powerfully?
- What does Jesus's synagogue-based ministry teach about engaging existing religious structures versus creating separate communities?
- How should Jesus's systematic regional preaching (covering multiple synagogues) inform contemporary church planting and evangelistic strategies?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee—This summary statement concludes Jesus's initial Galilean ministry phase. The Greek ekeryssen (ἐκήρυσσεν, he was preaching) indicates continuous action: Jesus systematically proclaimed the gospel in multiple synagogues throughout the region. Synagogais (συναγωγαῖς) refers to local Jewish assemblies for Scripture reading, prayer, and teaching—the primary venue for Jesus's early ministry before increasing opposition.
Galilee (Γαλιλαίας) was the northern region of Israel, considered religiously inferior by Jerusalem's religious elite due to distance from the temple and mixed population including Gentiles ("Galilee of the Gentiles," Isaiah 9:1). Yet Jesus chose this region for His primary ministry, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy (Matthew 4:15-16) and demonstrating the gospel's appeal to the marginalized. The verse's placement after the Nazareth rejection (Luke 4:16-30) and Capernaum ministry (4:31-41) emphasizes Jesus's determination to reach all Galilee despite opposition.