Luke 4:31 — Community Reflections

LUKE 4:31 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.”

Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people — the descent to Capernaum from Nazareth is literal (Capernaum is at the lake, lower than the Galilean highlands) and narrative: after the rejection at home, the ministry expands at the new base. The Sabbath teaching in Capernaum's synagogue parallels the Nazareth Sabbath — same setting, very different reception.

Church Fathers on Luke 4:31

Neither indignation at their treatment, nor displeasure at their wickedness, caused our Lord to abandon Judea, but unmindful of His injuries, and remembering mercy, at one time by teaching, at another by healing, He softens the hearts of this unbelieving people, as it is said, And he went down to Capernaum.
Ambrose · 4th century

For although He knew that they were disobedient and hard of heart, He nevertheless visits them, as a good Physician tries to heal those who are suffering from a mortal disease. But He taught them boldly in the synagogues, as Esaias said, I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth. On the sabbath day also He disputed with them, because they were at leisure. They wondered therefore at the mightiness of His teaching, His virtue, and His power, as it follows, And…
Cyril of Alexandria · 5th century

The word of the teacher is with power, when he performs that which he teaches. But he who by his actions belies what he preaches is despised.
Bede · 8th century

Read all 17 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

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