And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.
And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.
And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence:
For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:
And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.
And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.
And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
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.
And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?
And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.
And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.
But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;
But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.
And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.
But he passing through the midst of them went his way,
And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.
And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.
And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice,
Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.
And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not.
And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.
And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about.
And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her.
And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.
Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.
And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.
And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them.
And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.
And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.
Luke 4 is a pivotal chapter in understanding the ministry of Jesus Christ. It reveals His preparation through temptation, His bold proclamation in Nazareth, and the demonstration of His power in Capernaum. This chapter sets the stage for the expansion of His ministry and the calling of disciples, vividly illustrating the multifaceted nature of Jesus's mission. Luke 4 serves as a foundation for grasping the essence of the Gospel message.
Jesus's Temptation in the Wilderness (Luke 4:1-13)
Following His baptism, Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, was led by the Spirit into the wilderness for forty days to be tempted by the devil. Luke 4:1-2 highlights a crucial aspect: being filled with the Spirit doesn't guarantee a life free from trials. In fact, the Spirit led Jesus into a place of intense testing. This mirrors the experience of the "last Adam" (1 Corinthians 15:45, 47) facing the same enemy that defeated the first Adam in the Garden of Eden.
The devil presented three temptations, each designed to entice Jesus to act independently of God. The first temptation, recorded in Luke 4:3-4, targeted Jesus's physical hunger after fasting for forty days. Satan urged Him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." The "if" here isn't a question of Jesus's identity, but rather an appeal to His power to satisfy a genuine need in an illegitimate way. Jesus responded by quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, "Man shall not live on bread alone." He affirmed that true life comes not just from physical sustenance but from obedience to God's Word.
The second temptation, depicted in Luke 4:5-8, involved the devil offering Jesus all the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship. Satan claimed that this authority had been given to him, a claim rooted in Adam's abdication of his God-given dominion through sin. Jesus, however, refused to compromise, declaring, "Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only," drawing from Deuteronomy 6:13. He knew that true authority and kingship would come through the Father's plan, not through a shortcut offered by the enemy.
Finally, in Luke 4:9-12, the devil took Jesus to Jerusalem and challenged Him to throw Himself down from the temple, misquoting Psalm 91:11-12 to suggest that God would miraculously intervene. Jesus rebuked this attempt to manipulate God, stating, "You shall not put the Lord your God to the test," referencing Deuteronomy 6:16. He would not create a need for a miracle, trusting that God would provide opportunities in His own way and time.
Jesus's victory over temptation demonstrates how to wage spiritual warfare. Being filled with the Spirit and armed with the Word of God are essential weapons. Satan is allergic to the proper use of Scripture, and consistent resistance in faith will cause him to flee Luke 4:13. This section reminds us that our spiritual condition is not defined by our circumstances. Even in the "wilderness" of life, we can remain in the center of God's will.
Proclamation in Nazareth and Rejection (Luke 4:14-30)
Returning to Galilee, Jesus began teaching in the synagogues, and His reputation spread throughout the region Luke 4:14-15. He then visited Nazareth, His hometown, and, as was His custom, He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath Luke 4:16. He read from Isaiah 61:1-2, a prophecy about the Messiah, and declared, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing" Luke 4:21.
This declaration was revolutionary. Jesus claimed to be the Anointed One, the Messiah, sent to preach good news to the poor, proclaim freedom for the prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, and to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor Luke 4:18-19. This "year of the Lord's favor" echoes the Year of Jubilee, symbolizing social, economic, and spiritual liberation. His message encompasses not only salvation from hell but also the transformation of society through justice and compassion.
Initially, the people were amazed by His gracious words Luke 4:22. However, their familiarity with Jesus as "Joseph's son" led to skepticism. They questioned His authority, expecting Him to perform miracles in Nazareth as He had done elsewhere Luke 4:23. Jesus, knowing their unbelief, reminded them that a prophet is not accepted in his hometown Luke 4:24.
He then cited examples of Elijah and Elisha, who performed miracles for Gentiles rather than for their own people because of the Israelites' lack of faith Luke 4:25-27. This infuriated the Nazarenes, who, filled with nationalistic pride and resentment towards Gentiles, drove Jesus out of the town and attempted to throw Him off a cliff Luke 4:28-29. Yet, miraculously, Jesus passed through the crowd and went on His way Luke 4:30, demonstrating that His death would occur according to His own timing and purpose.
Power Demonstrated in Capernaum (Luke 4:31-44)
Jesus then traveled to Capernaum, a town on the Sea of Galilee, where He continued to teach with authority Luke 4:31-32. His message wasn't merely conveying information but proclaiming the kingdom of God and its impact on every aspect of life.
In the synagogue, He encountered a man possessed by a demon. The demon recognized Jesus as "the Holy One of God" and cried out in fear Luke 4:33-34. Jesus rebuked the demon and commanded it to come out of the man, which it did, throwing the man to the ground but causing him no harm Luke 4:35. This display of power astonished the people, who marveled at His authority over evil spirits Luke 4:36-37.
Leaving the synagogue, Jesus went to Simon Peter's house and healed Peter's mother-in-law, who was suffering from a high fever Luke 4:38-39. Immediately after being healed, she got up and began to serve them, illustrating that experiencing God's grace should always lead to greater service.
As evening approached, people brought their sick and demon-possessed to Jesus, and He healed them all Luke 4:40-41. He silenced the demons who proclaimed Him as the Son of God, as He desired praise from people, not forced acknowledgment from evil spirits.
Despite the crowds wanting Him to stay, Jesus insisted on leaving to preach the good news of the kingdom of God in other towns as well Luke 4:42-44. He recognized that His ministry extended beyond one location and that His primary purpose was to proclaim the Gospel. His miracles authenticated His message, but He was not to be known simply as a miracle worker.
And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.
And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.
And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence:
For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:
And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.
And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.
And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
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.
And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?
And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.
And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.
But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;
But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.
And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.
But he passing through the midst of them went his way,
And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.
And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.
And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice,
Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.
And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not.
And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.
And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about.
And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her.
And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.
Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.
And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.
And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them.
And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.
And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.
Luke 4 is a pivotal chapter in understanding the ministry of Jesus Christ. It reveals His preparation through temptation, His bold proclamation in Nazareth, and the demonstration of His power in Capernaum. This chapter sets the stage for the expansion of His ministry and the calling of disciples, vividly illustrating the multifaceted nature of Jesus's mission. Luke 4 serves as a foundation for grasping the essence of the Gospel message.
Jesus's Temptation in the Wilderness (Luke 4:1-13)
Following His baptism, Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, was led by the Spirit into the wilderness for forty days to be tempted by the devil. Luke 4:1-2 highlights a crucial aspect: being filled with the Spirit doesn't guarantee a life free from trials. In fact, the Spirit led Jesus into a place of intense testing. This mirrors the experience of the "last Adam" (1 Corinthians 15:45, 47) facing the same enemy that defeated the first Adam in the Garden of Eden.
The devil presented three temptations, each designed to entice Jesus to act independently of God. The first temptation, recorded in Luke 4:3-4, targeted Jesus's physical hunger after fasting for forty days. Satan urged Him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." The "if" here isn't a question of Jesus's identity, but rather an appeal to His power to satisfy a genuine need in an illegitimate way. Jesus responded by quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, "Man shall not live on bread alone." He affirmed that true life comes not just from physical sustenance but from obedience to God's Word.
The second temptation, depicted in Luke 4:5-8, involved the devil offering Jesus all the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship. Satan claimed that this authority had been given to him, a claim rooted in Adam's abdication of his God-given dominion through sin. Jesus, however, refused to compromise, declaring, "Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only," drawing from Deuteronomy 6:13. He knew that true authority and kingship would come through the Father's plan, not through a shortcut offered by the enemy.
Finally, in Luke 4:9-12, the devil took Jesus to Jerusalem and challenged Him to throw Himself down from the temple, misquoting Psalm 91:11-12 to suggest that God would miraculously intervene. Jesus rebuked this attempt to manipulate God, stating, "You shall not put the Lord your God to the test," referencing Deuteronomy 6:16. He would not create a need for a miracle, trusting that God would provide opportunities in His own way and time.
Jesus's victory over temptation demonstrates how to wage spiritual warfare. Being filled with the Spirit and armed with the Word of God are essential weapons. Satan is allergic to the proper use of Scripture, and consistent resistance in faith will cause him to flee Luke 4:13. This section reminds us that our spiritual condition is not defined by our circumstances. Even in the "wilderness" of life, we can remain in the center of God's will.
Proclamation in Nazareth and Rejection (Luke 4:14-30)
Returning to Galilee, Jesus began teaching in the synagogues, and His reputation spread throughout the region Luke 4:14-15. He then visited Nazareth, His hometown, and, as was His custom, He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath Luke 4:16. He read from Isaiah 61:1-2, a prophecy about the Messiah, and declared, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing" Luke 4:21.
This declaration was revolutionary. Jesus claimed to be the Anointed One, the Messiah, sent to preach good news to the poor, proclaim freedom for the prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, and to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor Luke 4:18-19. This "year of the Lord's favor" echoes the Year of Jubilee, symbolizing social, economic, and spiritual liberation. His message encompasses not only salvation from hell but also the transformation of society through justice and compassion.
Initially, the people were amazed by His gracious words Luke 4:22. However, their familiarity with Jesus as "Joseph's son" led to skepticism. They questioned His authority, expecting Him to perform miracles in Nazareth as He had done elsewhere Luke 4:23. Jesus, knowing their unbelief, reminded them that a prophet is not accepted in his hometown Luke 4:24.
He then cited examples of Elijah and Elisha, who performed miracles for Gentiles rather than for their own people because of the Israelites' lack of faith Luke 4:25-27. This infuriated the Nazarenes, who, filled with nationalistic pride and resentment towards Gentiles, drove Jesus out of the town and attempted to throw Him off a cliff Luke 4:28-29. Yet, miraculously, Jesus passed through the crowd and went on His way Luke 4:30, demonstrating that His death would occur according to His own timing and purpose.
Power Demonstrated in Capernaum (Luke 4:31-44)
Jesus then traveled to Capernaum, a town on the Sea of Galilee, where He continued to teach with authority Luke 4:31-32. His message wasn't merely conveying information but proclaiming the kingdom of God and its impact on every aspect of life.
In the synagogue, He encountered a man possessed by a demon. The demon recognized Jesus as "the Holy One of God" and cried out in fear Luke 4:33-34. Jesus rebuked the demon and commanded it to come out of the man, which it did, throwing the man to the ground but causing him no harm Luke 4:35. This display of power astonished the people, who marveled at His authority over evil spirits Luke 4:36-37.
Leaving the synagogue, Jesus went to Simon Peter's house and healed Peter's mother-in-law, who was suffering from a high fever Luke 4:38-39. Immediately after being healed, she got up and began to serve them, illustrating that experiencing God's grace should always lead to greater service.
As evening approached, people brought their sick and demon-possessed to Jesus, and He healed them all Luke 4:40-41. He silenced the demons who proclaimed Him as the Son of God, as He desired praise from people, not forced acknowledgment from evil spirits.
Despite the crowds wanting Him to stay, Jesus insisted on leaving to preach the good news of the kingdom of God in other towns as well Luke 4:42-44. He recognized that His ministry extended beyond one location and that His primary purpose was to proclaim the Gospel. His miracles authenticated His message, but He was not to be known simply as a miracle worker.