What Does Luke 4:20 Mean in the King James?

And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

Luke 4:20 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The scroll closes, but the room’s attention stretches from the written words toward the one who is about to speak them into the present.

THE MEANING

The reading has ended, yet the moment is still unfolding: the scroll is returned, Jesus sits, and every gaze settles on him. Their attention holds the space between the written text and the words he is about to speak.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The reading is finished, so nothing remains to be heard.

THE ROOT

ἀτενίζω

atenizō

GROWS FROM

τείνω

teínō

To stretch or extend; ⁨ἀτενίζω⁩ carries the sense of directing an intent gaze toward something.

The verse’s “fastened” gaze carries an image of sight stretched toward Jesus. Attention is not an afterthought once the book closes; it is the room’s readiness for what the reading means now.

ALSO GROWS

ekteínō: Stretch out, extend.

ἐκτείνω

This related verb makes the shared image of extension concrete: here the gaze extends toward Jesus.

epiteínō: Stretch further, intensify.

ἐπιτείνω

The intensified form echoes the concentrated force of a room whose eyes remain fixed on one person.

THE PATTERN

A fixed gaze marks the threshold before a consequential word or vision comes into focus.

And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

Acts 3:4 · KJVPeter’s intent gaze holds the moment just before he speaks to the man.

And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

Acts 6:15 · KJVThe council’s fixed attention precedes what they see in Stephen.

But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

Acts 7:55 · KJVStephen’s intent gaze opens onto a vision.

THE THREAD

And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

Acts 3:4 · KJV

The same Greek verb translated “fastening” appears here as Peter fixes his eyes on the man before speaking. In both scenes, the gaze holds the instant between attention and the words that follow.

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