Luk 4:26-31 | RWP | e4.org | Unto Zarephath ( εις Σαρεπτα ). The modern village Surafend on the coast road between Tyre and Sidon. Unto a woman that was a widow ( προς γυναικα χηραν ). Literally, unto a woman a widow (like our vernacular widow woman). This is an illustration of the proverb from the life of Elijah ( , ). This woman was in the land of Sidon or Phoenicia, a heathen, where Jesus himself will go later.

‏ Luke 4:26-31

Unto Zarephath ( εις Σαρεπτα ). The modern village Surafend on the coast road between Tyre and Sidon.

Unto a woman that was a widow ( προς γυναικα χηραν ). Literally, unto a woman a widow (like our vernacular widow woman). This is an illustration of the proverb from the life of Elijah (1Ki 17:8, 9). This woman was in the land of Sidon or Phoenicia, a heathen, where Jesus himself will go later.

In the time of Elisha the prophet ( επ Ελισαιου του προφητου ). This use of επ with the genitive for "in the time of" is a good Greek idiom. The second illustration of the proverb is from the time of Elisha and is another heathen,

Naaman the Syrian ( Ναιμαν ο Σψρος ). He was the lone leper that was cleansed by Elisha (2Ki 5:1, 14).

They were all filled with wrath ( επλησθησαν παντες θυμου ). First aorist passive indicative of the common verb πιμπλημ followed by the genitive case. The people of Nazareth at once caught on and saw the point of these two Old Testament illustrations of how God in two cases blessed the heathen instead of the Jewish people. The implication was evident. Nazareth was no better than Capernaum if as good. He was under no special obligation to do unusual things in Nazareth because he had been reared there. Town pride was insulted and it at once exploded in a burst of rage.

They rose up and cast him forth ( ανασταντες εξεβαλον ). Second aorist ingressive active participle and second aorist effective active indicative. A movement towards lynching Jesus.

Unto the brow of the hill ( ηος οφρυος του ορους ). Eyebrow ( οφρυς ), in Homer, then any jutting prominence. Only here in the N.T. Hippocrates speaks of the eyebrow hanging over.

Was built ( ωικοδομητο ). Past perfect indicative, stood built.

That they might throw him down headlong ( ωστε κατακρημνισα αυτον ). Neat Greek idiom with ωστε for intended result, "so as to cast him down the precipice." The infinitive alone can convey the same meaning (Mt 2:2; 20:28; Lu 2:23). Κρημνος is an overhanging bank or precipice from κρεμαννυμ, to hang. Κατα is down. The verb occurs in Xenophon, Demosthenes, LXX, Josephus. Here only in the N.T. At the southwest corner of the town of Nazareth such a cliff today exists overhanging the Maronite convent. Murder was in the hearts of the people. By pushing him over they hoped to escape technical guilt.

He went his way ( επορευετο ). Imperfect tense, he was going on his way.

Came down ( κατηλθεν ). Mr 1:21 has the historical present,

they go into ( εισπορευοντα ). Capernaum (Tell Hum) is now the headquarters of the Galilean ministry, since Nazareth has rejected Jesus. Lu 4:31-37 is parallel with Mr 1:21-28 which he manifestly uses. It is the first of Christ's miracles which they give.

Was teaching them ( ην διδασκων αυτους ). Periphrastic imperfect. Mark has εδιδασκεν first and then εν διδασκων. "Them" here means the people present in the synagogue on the sabbath, construction according to sense as in Mr 1:22.