And he said to them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.
I must.
Mark 1:14,15,38,39 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, …
John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
therefore.
Isaiah 42:1-4 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles…
Isaiah 48:16 Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me.
Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; …
“I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God
The "good news" refers to the Gospel, the message of salvation and redemption through Jesus Christ. The "kingdom of God" is a central theme in Jesus' teachings, representing God's sovereign rule and the spiritual realm where His will is fulfilled. This phrase underscores Jesus' role as a preacher and proclaimer of this divine message. The necessity ("I must") indicates a divine compulsion or mission, aligning with prophetic expectations of the Messiah bringing salvation (Isaiah 61:1).
to the other towns as well,
Jesus' mission was not limited to one location or group of people. His ministry was itinerant, moving from place to place to reach as many as possible. This reflects the inclusive nature of the Gospel, intended for all people, not just the Jews. It also fulfills the prophecy of a light to the Gentiles (Isaiah 49:6). The geographical spread of His ministry foreshadows the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).
because that is why I was sent.”
This phrase indicates Jesus' awareness of His divine mission and purpose. The concept of being "sent" is significant, as it implies a sender, God the Father, and a mission to accomplish. This aligns with the Johannine theme of Jesus being sent by the Father (John 3:17, John 5:36). It emphasizes the divine plan and Jesus' obedience to the Father's will, fulfilling the role of the suffering servant prophesied in Isaiah 53.
• A gentle yet firm redirection—Jesus will not be confined to one crowd or town.
• His words carry authority that supersedes popular expectation (see Mark 1:37-38; John 6:15).
• By speaking up, He models obedience to the Father over human praise, reminding us that ministry priorities come from God, not from the loudest voices around us (Galatians 1:10).
• “Must” signals divine necessity; the Son willingly embraces the Father’s mandate (John 4:34).
• Preaching is not optional for Jesus; it is woven into His very purpose (Luke 19:10).
• Paul echoes the same urgency: “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16).
• Good news: forgiveness, new life, and restored relationship with God through Christ (Romans 1:16-17).
• Kingdom of God: God’s sovereign reign breaking in now and to be fully realized in the future (Matthew 6:10; Romans 14:17).
• Jesus announces both entrance into the kingdom by faith and the kingdom’s ethical demands (Matthew 4:17; Luke 8:1).
• The gospel is outward-looking; it moves beyond comfort zones (Acts 1:8).
• Jesus refuses exclusivity—He reaches Samaritans, Gentiles, the poor, and the outcast (Luke 7:22).
• This sets a pattern for the church’s missionary calling: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).
• The Incarnation has a missional focus: the Father sent the Son to save the world (John 3:17).
• Isaiah 61:1 foretold this sending: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to bring good news.”
• Jesus’ earthly life is framed by obedience from start to finish—“As You sent Me into the world, I have also sent them” (John 17:18).
Luke 4:43 shows Jesus asserting His God-given mission: to proclaim the liberating news of God’s kingdom everywhere, not just where He is popular. His sense of divine compulsion, the universal scope of the message, and the Father’s sending all converge in this single verse, urging believers today to honor the same priorities—faithful proclamation, kingdom focus, and outward movement to those who still need to hear.
(43) I must preach.--Better, I must declare the glad tidings of the kingdom. The Greek verb is literally "to evangelise," and is quite distinct from that commonly translated "preach."To other cities also.--Literally, to the other cities, with a special reference, probably, to those of Galilee.