Luke 4:22 Meaning and Explanation
“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?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The congregation marvels at his gracious words, yet asks how the son of Joseph can be saying them.
What Does Luke 4:22 Mean?
The first response is wonder. All bear him witness, astonished at the grace pouring from his mouth. Then comes the qualifier that begins to curdle it: Is not this Joseph's son? They are sure they already know exactly where he came from.
Luke has already whispered the fuller truth to his readers, calling Jesus the son, as was supposed, of Joseph. Nazareth's certainty is its blindness. Wonder and dismissal can share a single heart, and long familiarity with holy things carries its own danger: knowing about Jesus so comfortably that we stop expecting him to be more than we have assumed. The neighbors marveled at grace and still missed the glory standing in front of them.
Luke 4:22 in the Original Language
charis (χάρις), 'gracious' -- grace, favor freely given.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 4:22
What does Luke 4:22 mean?
The congregation marvels at his gracious words, yet asks how the son of Joseph can be saying them.