Luke 4:23

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 4:23 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he said unto them, Doubtless ye will say unto me this parable, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done at Capernaum, do also here in thine own country.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he said unto them, Doubtless ye will say unto me this parable, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done at Capernaum, do also here in thine own country.
Luke 4:23 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
23And he said unto them, Doubtless ye will say unto me this parable, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done at Capernaum, do also here in thine own country.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he said unto them, ye will surely say unto me this proverb, etc.] Or “parable”; for any pithy sentence, or proverbial expression, was, by the Jews, called a parable: physician heal thyself; and which was a proverb in use with the Jews; and which is sometimes expressed thus, Æçpn ysa lyz, “go heal thyself” f228; and sometimes in this form, Ætrgj ysa aysa, “physician, heal thy lameness” f229: the meaning of which is, that a man ought to look at home, and take care of himself, and of those that belonged to him; and Christ was aware that his townsmen would object this to him, that if he was the person he was said to be, and could do the miracles and cures which were ascribed to him, he ought…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“this proverb--like our "Charity begins at home." whatsoever, &c.--"Strange rumors have reached our ears of Thy doings at Capernaum; but if such power resides in Thee to cure the ills of humanity, why has none of it yet come nearer home, and why is all this alleged power reserved for strangers?" His choice of Capernaum as a place of residence since entering on public life was, it seems, already well known at Nazareth; and when He did come thither, to give no displays of His power when distant places were ringing with His fame, wounded their pride. He had indeed "laid his hands on a few sick folk and healed them" (Mar 6:5); but this seems to have been done quite privately the general unbelief…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Physician, heal thyself - This proverb was probably in common use at that time. The meaning is this: Suppose that a man should attempt to heal another when he was himself diseased in the same manner; it would be natural to ask him first to cure himself, and thus to render it manifest that he was worthy of confidence. The connection of this proverb, here, is this: “You profess to be the Messiah. You have performed miracles at Capernaum. You profess to be able to deliver us from our maladies, our sins, our afflictions. Show that you have the power, that you are worthy of our confidence, by working miracles here, as you profess to have done at Capernaum.” It does not refer, therefore, to any…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Ye will surely say - That is, your approbation now outweighs your prejudices. But it will not be so long. You will soon ask, why my love does not begin at home? Why I do not work miracles here, rather than at Capernaum? It is because of your unbelief. Nor is it any new thing for me to be despised in my own country. So were both Elijah and Elisha, and thereby driven to work miracles among heathens, rather than in Israel. Luke 4:24”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:23 Physician, heal yourself was a common proverb in the ancient world. Here it might mean “prove your healing powers,” or “help your own people, not just others.” • like those you did in Capernaum: See 4:31-44.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Physician: Luk 6:42; Rom 2:21, Rom 2:22 whatsoever: Mat 4:13, Mat 4:23, Mat 11:23, Mat 11:24; Joh 4:48 do: Joh 2:3, Joh 2:4, Joh 4:28, Joh 7:3, Joh 7:4; Rom 11:34, Rom 11:35; Co2 5:16 thy country: Mat 13:54; Mar 6:1 Luke 4:24”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification