New Testament
Luke 4:23
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
He said to them, "No doubt you'll quote this proverb at me: 'Doctor, heal yourself!' You'll say, 'Do here in your hometown what we've heard you did in Capernaum.'"
Compare translations
And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.
What Luke 4:23 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus anticipates the skepticism of the people in His hometown of Nazareth. He knows they will challenge Him by quoting a common saying, suggesting that He should perform miracles there just as He did in Capernaum. This reflects their doubt and desire for proof of His authority and power. The proverb 'Physician, heal yourself' implies that a doctor should first help himself before helping others, indicating that they expect Jesus to demonstrate His abilities among them. This moment highlights the struggle Jesus faced in gaining acceptance from those who knew Him best, as they were unable to see beyond their familiarity with Him. Their lack of faith and expectation for miracles creates a barrier to receiving His message and ministry. Jesus uses this moment to illustrate the challenge of being accepted in one's own community, emphasizing that familiarity can breed contempt and skepticism, even towards those who are truly gifted and called by God.
How to apply Luke 4:23 to your life
This verse encourages us to reflect on our own openness to new ideas and leaders. Just as the people of Nazareth struggled to accept Jesus, we too can be resistant to change or to recognizing the gifts in those we know well. We should strive to remain open-minded and receptive.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Jesus's story: Rejected at Nazareth (Luke 4:16–30)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Jesus
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725045). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nazareth, Israel; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Nazareth
The small town in Galilee where Jesus grew up.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Luke 4:23
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Luke 4:23
Related Bible verses
Key themes
At a Glance — the Book of Luke
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 4:23 mean?
In Luke 4:23, Jesus anticipates the skepticism of the people in His hometown, Nazareth. He knows they will challenge Him to perform miracles there, just as He did in Capernaum, reflecting their doubt and desire for proof of His authority.
What is the meaning of 'Physician, heal yourself' in Luke 4:23?
The phrase 'Physician, heal yourself' implies that a doctor should first demonstrate their abilities on themselves before helping others. In this context, it reflects the expectation of the people for Jesus to prove His power among them.
Why did Jesus mention Capernaum in Luke 4:23?
Jesus mentions Capernaum to contrast the miracles He performed there with the skepticism He anticipates from the people in Nazareth. It underscores their expectation for Him to replicate those miracles in His hometown.
How does Luke 4:23 relate to themes of rejection and faith?
Luke 4:23 illustrates the theme of rejection as Jesus faces doubt from His own community. It emphasizes how their lack of faith and familiarity with Him creates obstacles to accepting His authority and message.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.