And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to overlook the deliberate action here: Jesus didn't just happen upon Isaiah's words; he found the specific passage, suggesting a purposeful search, not a random opening. This implies he knew exactly what he was looking for, revealing his deep connection to and understanding of the Scriptures he was about to fulfill.
And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is in the synagogue on the Sabbath, and following the custom, a scroll is handed to Him to read from the Prophets. He unrolls the scroll of Isaiah, finding the specific passage that he will then proclaim as the inauguration of his public ministry. This event immediately follows his temptation in the wilderness and sets the stage for his controversial message in his hometown.
Imagine the hush of the synagogue as a scroll is handed to Jesus. What does it mean that it was Isaiah's scroll, and that it was delivered to Him?
In ancient synagogues, there were two main readings during the Sabbath service: one from the Law (the first five books of Moses) and another from the Prophets. The scroll of the Law was often kept open to the day's reading, but prophetic scrolls like Isaiah's were on a single roller. When Jesus was handed the scroll of Isaiah, it wasn't a random pick. While the exact order of readings might not be fixed as it is today, it's highly probable that this was either the designated prophetic reading for that Sabbath or Jesus, with divine insight, selected a passage that was deeply relevant to His mission. The act of being given the scroll signifies a divine appointment and a public unveiling of God's Word.
Jesus unrolls the scroll. What does this simple action tell us about His relationship with the ancient text and His own unfolding mission?
The ancient scrolls were made of parchment rolled on two handles. To find a specific passage, one had to physically unroll the scroll. The word used here for 'unrolled' implies a deliberate action. Jesus didn't just stumble upon the text; He sought it out and found the precise place. This act symbolizes Jesus' role: He came to unroll and reveal the fulfillment of prophecies that had been written long before. He was the living embodiment of what Isaiah foretold, bringing clarity and purpose to the ancient words.
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The custom of reading from the Prophets on the Sabbath, and the widespread use of the Greek Septuagint translation, set the stage for Jesus' powerful self-declaration in the Nazareth synagogue.
c. 150 BC
Septuagint Translation Completed
The Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures, known as the Septuagint (LXX), is largely completed. This translation becomes widely used by Jewish communities outside of Judea and later by early Christians.
1st Century AD
Synagogue Worship Practices Standardized
The practice of reading from both the Law (Torah) and the Prophets (Haftarah) on the Sabbath becomes a regular part of synagogue worship.
Early 1st Century AD
Jesus' Public Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry, teaching and performing miracles throughout Galilee after his baptism and temptation in the wilderness.
c. AD 28-30— this verse
Jesus Reads Isaiah in Nazareth Synagogue
Jesus is handed the scroll of Isaiah in his hometown synagogue and reads from Isaiah 61:1-2, applying the prophetic words to himself.
This is the direct passage Jesus reads from, establishing the foundation for His public ministry and mission.
Luke 4:21Immediately following this action, Jesus declares the Scripture is fulfilled in Him, marking the pivotal moment of His self-proclamation.
Acts 10:38This passage speaks of God anointing Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power, echoing the anointing mentioned in the Isaiah passage Jesus reads.
John 5:39Jesus himself tells the religious leaders that they search the Scriptures expecting to find eternal life in them, but they fail to recognize that these Scriptures testify about Him.
cambridgeLuke 4:17: "And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,"
17 . there was delivered unto him ] Literally, “there was further handed to Him.” The expression means that after He, or another, had read the Parashah , or First Lesson, which was always from the Pentateuch, the clerk handed to him the Roll of Isaiah, which contained the Haphtarah , or Second Lesson. when he had opened the book ] If anaptuxas i…
pulpitLuke 4:17: "And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,"
Verse 17. - And there was delivered unto him the Book of the Prophet Esaias. In the sabbath service there were two lessons read. The first was always taken from the Pentateuch (the Law). The five books of Moses were written on parchment, (usually) between two rollers, and the day's lesson was left unrolled for the reader's convenience. The Proph…
It's easy to overlook the deliberate action here: Jesus didn't just happen upon Isaiah's words; he found the specific passage, suggesting a purposeful search, not a random opening. This implies he knew exactly what he was looking for, revealing his deep connection to and understanding of the Scriptures he was about to fulfill.
Jesus is in the synagogue on the Sabbath, and following the custom, a scroll is handed to Him to read from the Prophets. He unrolls the scroll of Isaiah, finding the specific passage that he will then proclaim as the inauguration of his public ministry. This event immediately follows his temptation in the wilderness and sets the stage for his controversial message in his hometown.
Jesus is in the synagogue on the Sabbath, and following the custom, a scroll is handed to Him to read from the Prophets. He unrolls the scroll of Isaiah, finding the specific passage that he will then proclaim as the inauguration of his public ministry. This event immediately follows his temptation in the wilderness and sets the stage for his controversial message in his hometown.
"And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written," — It's easy to overlook the deliberate action here: Jesus didn't just happen upon Isaiah's words; he found the specific passage, suggesting a purposeful search, not a random opening. This implies he…
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Last reviewed October 2026