Chapter

Luke 4:43

ESV but he said to them, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose."
NIV But he said, "I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent."
NASB But He said to them, 'I must also preach the kingdom of God to the other cities, because I was sent for this purpose.'
CSB But he said to them, "It is necessary for me to proclaim the good news about the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because I was sent for this purpose."
NLT But he replied, 'I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent.'
KJV And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.
NKJV but He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.”

What does Luke 4:43 mean?

It would have been good for Jesus to stay in the area near Simon Peter's home (Luke 4:38–41), teaching and healing. However, that is not the purpose for which God called Him. This verse is an example of the difference between "good" and "better," or between "better" and "best." In this earthly life, we are limited in time and resources. We cannot literally do everything for everyone. Part of spiritual maturity is knowing how and when to say "no" to good things, so we can focus on the "best things" to which we are called.

In this case, Jesus could not stay because He needed to spread God's message to other areas. Remaining in one town to establish the gospel is noble. That's a worthy calling, but it wasn't Jesus' calling in that moment. His mission was to fulfill the will of God (John 5:36), which meant visiting other places and other people (Luke 19:10).
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What is the Gospel?
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