Luke 4:43

And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(43) I must preach.—Better, I must declare the glad tidings of the kingdom. The Greek verb is literally “to evangelise,” and is quite distinct from that commonly translated “preach.”

To other cities also.—Literally, to the other cities, with a special reference, probably, to those of Galilee.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

4:31-44 Christ's preaching much affected the people; and a working power went with it to the consciences of men. These miracles showed Christ to be a controller and conqueror of Satan, a healer of diseases. Where Christ gives a new life, in recovery from sickness, it should be a new life, spent more than ever in his service, to his glory. Our business should be to spread abroad Christ's fame in every place, to beseech him in behalf of those diseased in body or mind, and to use our influence in bringing sinners to him, that his hands may be laid upon them for their healing. He cast the devils out of many who were possessed. We were not sent into this world to live to ourselves only, but to glorify God, and to do good in our generation. The people sought him, and came unto him. A desert is no desert, if we are with Christ there. He will continue with us, by his word and Spirit, and extend the same blessings to other nations, till, throughout the earth, the servants and worshippers of Satan are brought to acknowledge him as the Christ, the Son of God, and to find redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

See this explained in the notes at Mark 1:21-39.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

43. I must, &c.—but duty only could move Him to deny entreaties so grateful to His spirit.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

See Poole on "Luke 4:42"

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And he said unto them,.... In answer to their importunate requests:

I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also; as well as to Capernaum; and though they did not express their desire of his continuance with them, in order to preach the Gospel to them; yet Christ signifies, that a principal part of his work lay in preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, the Gospel dispensation on earth, the doctrines and ordinances of it, as well as the things which relate to the kingdom of glory; as what is the saints meetness for it, their regeneration, and their right unto it, which lies in his righteousness: and that as he had preached these things at Capernaum, there was a necessity upon him to preach them in other cities of Galilee and Judea: for therefore am I sent; as he was by his heavenly Father, and had himself also undertook and engaged to do it.

Geneva Study Bible

And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Luke 4:43. ὅτι καὶ: the purpose of Jesus is the same in Lk. as in Mk., but differently expressed, in fuller, more developed terms, to preach the good news of the Kingdom of God. Of course all must hear the news; they could not gainsay that.—ἀπεστάλην, I was sent, referring to His Divine mission; in place of Mk.’s ἐξῆλθον, referring to the purpose of Jesus in leaving Capernaum. Lk.’s version, compared with Mk.’s, is secondary, and in a different tone. Mk.’s realism is replaced by decorum: what it is fitting to make Jesus do and say. Flight eliminated, and a reference to His Divine mission substituted for an apology for flight. Vide notes on Mk.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

43. I must] “It behoves me”—the ‘must’ of moral obligation.

preach] Rather, tell the glad tidings of. The word is “evangelize,” not kêrussô the word of the next verse.

the kingdom of God] The acceptance of the Faith of Christ, whether in the heart or in the world, was illustrated by Christ in its small beginnings,—the mustard seed (Luke 13:19); in its hidden working (Luke 13:21); and in its final triumph.

to other cities] Rather, to the rest of the cities. In St Mark He says, Let us go elsewhere to the adjoining country villages.

Bengel's Gnomen

Luke 4:43. Εὐαγγελίσασθαί με δεῖ, I must preach the Gospel) By these very words He whets the desires of men, and, under the appearance of a repulse, confirms them in faith.—εἰς τοῦτο, for this purpose) Here is Jesus’ ‘Creed.’ The reason for His many journeyings.

Luke 4:43