Church Fathers Commentary Luke 4:42-44

"And when it was day, he came out and went into a desert place: and the multitudes sought after him, and came unto him, and would have stayed him, that he should not go from them. But he said unto them, I must preach the good tidings of the kingdom of God to the other cities also: for therefore was I sent. And he was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee." — Luke 4:42-44 (ASV)

St. John Chrysostom: After He had bestowed sufficient favor upon the people through miracles, it was necessary for Him to depart. Miracles are always considered greater when the one who performed them is gone, since the works themselves are then given more attention and, in turn, have a voice of their own. As it is said, But when it was day, he departed and went.

Greek Expositors: He also went into the desert and prayed, as Mark says; not because He needed to pray, but to give us an example of good works.

St. John Chrysostom: The Pharisees, seeing how the miracles themselves spread His fame, were offended by His power. But the people, hearing His words, assented and followed Him. As it is said, And the multitudes sought him; this did not include any of the chief priests or scribes, but rather all those who had not been blackened with the dark stain of malice and who had preserved their consciences unhurt.

Greek Expositors: When Mark says that the Apostles came to Him saying, "All seek you," while Luke says that the people came, there is no contradiction between them, for the people came to Him by following in the footsteps of the Apostles.

The Lord was pleased that they tried to keep Him, yet He told them to let Him go so that others could also share in His teaching, since the time of His presence would not last long. This is why He says, "I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also..." Mark records this as, "That is why I have come," showing the loftiness of His divine nature and His voluntary self-emptying. Luke, however, records it as, "for that is why I was sent," showing His incarnation and also referring to the Father's decree as a "sending." One evangelist simply says, to preach, while the other adds, the kingdom of God, which is Christ Himself.

St. John Chrysostom: Notice also that by remaining in the same place, He could have drawn everyone to Himself. However, He did not do this, giving us an example to go about and seek those who are perishing, just as the shepherd seeks his lost sheep and the physician seeks the sick. For by recovering one soul, we can blot out a thousand sins. This is why the text continues, And he was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee. Indeed, He frequently went to the synagogues to show them that He was not a deceiver, for if He were to constantly remain in deserted places, they would spread the rumor that He was hiding.

The Venerable Bede: If the sunset mystically represents our Lord's death, then the returning day signifies His resurrection. (When the light of this resurrection was made manifest, He was sought by multitudes of believers; and when He was found in the desert of the Gentiles, they tried to keep Him from leaving.) This is especially significant because it took place on the first day of the week, the day on which the Resurrection was celebrated.