But passing through their midst, he went away.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights Jesus’ incredible power not by a dramatic confrontation, but by His quiet, unimpeded departure. This wasn't just a physical escape; it was a demonstration that His divine authority could literally make a hostile crowd part for Him, rendering them unable to act on their violent intentions.
But passing through their midst, he went away.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Jesus reads from Isaiah and declares He is the Messiah, the synagogue members become enraged and try to throw Him off a cliff. This verse describes Jesus miraculously passing through the furious crowd unharmed and leaving Nazareth, the town where He grew up. The following verses detail Jesus’ ministry in Capernaum, beginning with His authoritative healing of a demon-possessed man in the synagogue.
Jesus’ ministry in Nazareth takes a dangerous turn. Instead of being harmed, He walks away unharmed. What explains this remarkable escape?
When Jesus' hometown crowd turns hostile, Luke 4:30 records that 'he passing through the midst of them went his way.' This wasn't just a casual departure; it was a demonstration of divine authority.
Overcoming Hostility
The Nazarenes, filled with anger, intended to throw Jesus off a cliff. Yet, He doesn't flee or fight. He simply 'passes through the midst of them.' This implies an unseen power that creates a path where there was none.
A Silent Power
Unlike a physical struggle, Jesus' escape is silent and peaceful. This suggests a supernatural force that stills the crowd's rage and overawes them. His presence, charged with divine authority, renders their violent intentions powerless. He is not subject to their will or their violence.
The crowd's reaction shifts from rage to stunned silence. Was this simply human emotion, or something more profound at play?
Luke 4:30 highlights a crucial distinction between human actions and divine intervention.
Beyond Human Explanation
Commentators suggest Jesus' escape was not merely clever evasion but a supernatural act. Whether by momentarily blinding the crowd or by an overwhelming spiritual authority, Jesus controlled the situation.
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Divine Control Over Circumstance
This event underscores that Jesus is not bound by the natural world or human intentions. His divine power can neutralize threats and ensure His path is fulfilled, even when faced with violent opposition. His 'time' had not yet come, and no one could force it prematurely.
This verse captures a pivotal moment where Jesus's divine authority is dramatically displayed. Rather than a physical escape, His passing through the enraged crowd demonstrates a supernatural ability to overawe and bypass human violence, signaling the unique power He wields.
c. AD 27-28— this verse
Jesus Preaches in Nazareth Synagogue
Jesus returns to His hometown synagogue in Nazareth and reads from Isaiah, proclaiming Himself the fulfillment of prophecy. He is met with astonishment, but then anger when He implies He is chosen to bring salvation to Gentiles as well as Jews.
c. AD 27-28
Nazarenes Attempt to Kill Jesus
The angry crowd in Nazareth, feeling insulted, drags Jesus to a nearby cliff with the intention of throwing Him off. However, Jesus miraculously passes through the midst of them, unharmed, and escapes.
c. AD 27-28
Jesus Begins Ministry in Galilee
Following the rejection at Nazareth, Jesus begins His public ministry in other towns and villages of Galilee, teaching in synagogues and performing miracles.
c. AD 27-28
Jesus Heals Peter's Mother-in-Law
After leaving Nazareth, Jesus travels to Capernaum, where He heals Simon Peter's mother-in-law who was suffering from a high fever. This is one of the first recorded miracles of His Galilean ministry.
This passage describes a similar incident where Jesus escaped hostile crowds, highlighting a divine protection that allowed Him to pass through their midst unharmed.
John 18:6When Jesus identified Himself to those seeking Him in Gethsemane, they were so overwhelmed by His divine power that they fell backward, illustrating His ability to compel people to yield to His presence.
Acts 13:45-46Here, the Jews reacted with jealousy and hostility towards Paul and Barnabas's preaching, trying to silence them, which parallels the violent rejection Jesus faced in Nazareth.
Matthew 13:57This verse speaks to the lack of honor and belief Jesus received in His hometown, which directly led to the rejection and attempted violence described in Luke 4.
barnesLuke 4:30: "But he passing through the midst of them went his way,"
Passing through the midst of, them, went his way - This escape was very remarkable. It is remarkable that he should escape out of their hands when their very object was to destroy him, and that he should escape in so peaceful a manner, without violence or conflict. A similar case is recorded in John 8:59 . There are but two ways of accounting for this: 1. That "other Nazarenes," who had not been present in the synagogue, heard…
expositorsLuke 4:30: "But he passing through the midst of them went his way,"
Chapter 9A SABBATH IN GALILEE. WE should naturally expect that our physician-Evangelist would have a peculiar interest in Christ’s connection with human suffering and disease, and in this we are not mistaken. It is almost a superfluous task to consider what our Gospels would have been had there been no miracles of healing to record; but we may safely say that such a blank would be inexplicable, if not impossible. Even had proph…
The verse highlights Jesus’ incredible power not by a dramatic confrontation, but by His quiet, unimpeded departure. This wasn't just a physical escape; it was a demonstration that His divine authority could literally make a hostile crowd part for Him, rendering them unable to act on their violent intentions.
After Jesus reads from Isaiah and declares He is the Messiah, the synagogue members become enraged and try to throw Him off a cliff. This verse describes Jesus miraculously passing through the furious crowd unharmed and leaving Nazareth, the town where He grew up. The following verses detail Jesus’ ministry in Capernaum, beginning with His authoritative healing of a demon-possessed man in the synagogue.
After Jesus reads from Isaiah and declares He is the Messiah, the synagogue members become enraged and try to throw Him off a cliff. This verse describes Jesus miraculously passing through the furious crowd unharmed and leaving Nazareth, the town where He grew up. The following verses detail Jesus’ ministry in Capernaum, beginning with His authoritative healing of a demon-possessed man in the synagogue.
"But passing through their midst, he went away." — The verse highlights Jesus’ incredible power not by a dramatic confrontation, but by His quiet, unimpeded departure. This wasn't just a physical escape; it was a demonstration that His divine authori…
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Last reviewed October 2026