Luke 4:1-44
1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.
3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.
4 And Jesus answered him, saying,It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
6 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.
7 If thou therefore wilt worship me,a all shall be thine.
8 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.
9 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:
10 For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:
11 And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
12 And Jesus answering said unto him,It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
13 And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.
14 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.
15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.
16 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.
17 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,
18 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,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
20 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.
21 And he began to say unto them,This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
22 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?
23 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.
24 And he said,Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.
25 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;
26 But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.
27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
28 And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
29 And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the browb of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.
30 But he passing through the midst of them went his way,
31 And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.
32 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.
33 And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice,
34 Saying, Let us alone;c 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.
35 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.
36 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.
37 And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about.
38 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.
39 And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.
40 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.
41 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:d for they knew that he was Christ.
42 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.
43 And he said unto them,I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.
44 And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.
Luke’s Good News
Luke
Hilda Bright
Chapter 4
Jesus and the devil 4:1-13
v1-2 Jesus returned from the river Jordan. He was full of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit led him into the desert for 40 days. During that time, the devil tried to make him do wrong. Jesus ate nothing. At the end of 40 days, he was hungry. v3 The devil said to him, ‘If you really are God’s Son, order this stone to turn into bread’. v4 Jesus answered, ‘The *Scripture says, “Bread is not people’s only need” ’. v5 The devil took him up, and showed him all the countries of the world at the same time. v6 He said, ‘I will give all this authority and *glory to you. God has given it to me and I can give it to anyone that I choose. v7 Just *worship me and it will all be yours’. v8 Jesus answered, ‘The *Scripture says, “*Worship the *Lord your God, and serve only him” ’. v9 The devil took Jesus to Jerusalem and put him on top of the *Temple. He said to Jesus, ‘If you really are God’s Son, jump off. v10 The *Scripture says, “God will order his *angels to take care of you. They will keep you safe” v11 and “they will catch you in their arms. You will not even hurt your feet on the stones” ’. v12 Jesus answered, ‘*Scripture also says, “Do not test the *Lord your God!” ’ v13 When the devil had finished every test, he left Jesus until he had another opportunity.
Verse 1 Jesus returned after John had *baptised him in the river Jordan. While Jesus was in the desert for 40 days, he has been thinking about his work as *Messiah. All the verses that Jesus will use against the devil are from Deuteronomy. This suggests that Jesus has been thinking about Moses’ 40 days in the desert (Deuteronomy 9:9-18). During those 40 days, Moses received God’s instructions for his work.
Verses 2-4 The devil tries to make Jesus doubt that he is God’s Son and to use the wrong methods for his work. Jesus is hungry. So, the devil suggests that Jesus could use his power to turn the stones into bread. The hot, flat stones look like bread. The attractive idea would satisfy his own hunger. Also, Jesus could do the same to show his sympathy for the hungry crowds. The *Jews believed that, when the *Messiah came, he would give them bread from heaven (John 6:30-31). Jesus knows that to satisfy someone’s need for food will still leave that person hungry for God. Jesus refuses to do what the devil suggested. Jesus uses words from Deuteronomy (8:3). Those words mean that life is more than being alive. People need more in life than food for their bodies.
Verses 5-8 The devil now takes Jesus to a high place. From there, he can see all the countries of the world. The devil offers them to Jesus, if only Jesus will *worship him. This second test refers to the way in which other countries attracted the ancient *Israelites to follow their gods (Deuteronomy 6:10-15). Jesus knows that *worship belongs to God alone. People must not *worship anything that makes them turn away from God. Jesus again uses words from Deuteronomy (6:13) when he refuses the devil’s offer.
Verses 9–12 Then Jesus imagines that he is on the very top of the *Temple in Jerusalem. Below him, there is a drop of 450 feet (150 metres) into the Kidron Valley. If Jesus jumps off the roof of the *Temple in safety, it will be an extraordinary sight. It will attract people to follow him. The devil uses words from Psalms 91:11-12. He suggests that even the *Scriptures say that Jesus can trust God to keep him safe. But the devil does not go on to mention the next words (Psalms 91:13). They refer to the defeat of a lion. That is a picture of the devil (1 Peter 5:8). Jesus replies and speaks words from Deuteronomy (6:16). He says that it is always wrong to test God. And it is wrong to do something foolish. It is also no use. People who desire the excitement of extraordinary events soon become tired of them.
Verse 13 The devil then left Jesus, but only until he thought that he had another chance.
It was often difficult for Jesus to find enough time to teach. People were always asking him to help them. While Jesus was popular, the people wanted to make him a political leader (John 6:15). Many of his enemies asked Jesus for evidence to prove who he was (Luke 11:16).
Jesus begins to teach 4:14-15
v14 Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee. News about him spread everywhere. v15 He taught in all their *synagogues, and everyone was praising him.
The people of Nazareth refuse to accept Jesus 4:16-30
v16 Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had grown up. He went to the *synagogue on the *Sabbath day. This was his custom. He stood up to read. v17 The official gave him the book of the *prophet Isaiah. Jesus opened the book and found the place where it said, v18-20 ‘The Holy Spirit is upon me, because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me
• to announce freedom for people in prison
• to give sight to blind people
• to give freedom to everyone who is suffering
• to announce that this is the time that the *Lord has chosen to *save people’.
Jesus closed the book and gave it to the official. Then he sat down. Everyone in the *synagogue was looking at him.
Verse 16 The *synagogue was the place where the *Jews met to *worship God. The *Sabbath was the seventh day of the *Jewish week. It was a day of rest that lasted from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday. In part of the service, someone read the *Hebrew *Scriptures. The officials might ask a visitor to read and then explain the words.
Verse 17 This official was responsible for the *scrolls, which he kept in a wooden cupboard. The ‘book’ was a long *scroll that Jesus had to roll open. The verses that he chose to read describe the work of the *Messiah. They are from Isaiah 61:1-2.
Verse 18 The poor are those who have very little. The *Messiah will give freedom to people as he forgives them. The blind will be able to see again. People can also be blind about *spiritual truth. The *Messiah will help these people to understand his words.
Verse 19 Jesus read the news of the arrival of the *Messiah. Then he finished reading. He did not complete the verse with the words about God punishing wicked people.
Verse 20 A teacher usually sat down when he taught.
v21 Jesus said to them, ‘This word has come true today’. v22 Jesus impressed the people by the attractive way in which he spoke. And he astonished them. The man that they had known as Joseph’s son was claiming to be the *Messiah. v23 Jesus said to them, ‘No doubt you will say to me, “Doctor, cure yourself. We have heard about your work in Capernaum. Do the same things here in your home town” ’. v24 Jesus said, ‘People will not accept a *prophet from their own area. v25 I tell you the truth. In the time of Elijah, there was not much food because there had been no rain for three and a half years. There were many widows in *Israel. v26 Yet Elijah did not go to help any of them. He went only to a *Gentile widow in Zarephath in Sidon. v27 There were many people with skin diseases in the time of the *prophet Elisha. But it was only Naaman, who came from Syria, who became clean’ (1 Kings 5:1-14). v28 When they heard this, everyone in the *synagogue was extremely angry. v29 They jumped up and pushed Jesus out of the city. Their city was on a hill. They took Jesus to the top of the hill. They intended to throw him down over the side of the hill. v30 But Jesus walked straight through the crowd and left them.
Verses 22-23 The *Jews in Nazareth thought that they knew everything about Jesus. They had seen him grow up. They knew his family. He had been a carpenter (he made wooden objects). They could not believe that he was the *Messiah. In the same way, we may not give honour to someone who is very familiar to us. Jesus knew that they wanted him to prove that he was speaking the truth. They wanted Jesus to do something wonderful for them. This demand was like the devil’s third test in the desert.
Verses 25-27 In the past, *Jews had not believed the *prophets Elijah and Elisha. In the same way Jesus was saying that the *Jews of his day would not accept their *Messiah.
Verse 28 The idea that *Gentiles were better than *Jews made the *Jews in the *synagogue extremely angry. They wanted to kill Jesus.
Verse 29 The *Jews intended to push him over a steep hill. If he did not die when he fell, they would throw stones at him.
Verse 30 Jesus remained calm. He walked away through the angry crowd. He never returned to Nazareth. The people there had had their chance.
Jesus in Capernaum 4:31-44
1. The authority of Jesus 4:31-37
v31 Jesus went down from Nazareth to Capernaum, which was a town in the region of Galilee. He taught the people in the *synagogue on the *Sabbath. v32 The authority with which Jesus spoke astonished everyone. v33 In the *synagogue there was a man whom a *demon controlled. The *demon made him ‘*unclean’. v34 ‘Go away!’ the *demon screamed. ‘We want nothing to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth. Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are. You are the Holy One of God’. v35 ‘Be silent and come out of him!’ ordered Jesus. The *demon threw the man on the floor in front of them and then left him. The *demon had not hurt him. v36 Jesus’ words astonished everyone. They said to one another, ‘He has authority and power over evil spirits! They come out!’ v37 The news of what Jesus had done spread everywhere in the whole region.
Verse 31 Capernaum was a city on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. It was an important port for trade. Jesus used it as his home. He went out from there to teach in Galilee.
Verse 32 The *scribes taught by referring to traditions. They supported their arguments by what past teachers had said. They taught in a confusing way rather than a helpful way. The *prophets had used the words ‘This is what the *Lord says’, when they gave God’s messages to people. But Jesus spoke with his own authority. He knew that he was the *Messiah.
Verse 33 The *demon was a wicked spirit. It made the person ‘*unclean’.
Verse 34 The word ‘us’ includes other *demons. They were all expecting punishment one day. The *demon, which was in the man, recognised that Jesus came from God. Jesus was ‘holy’, without *sin, and set apart for God’s work. The ‘Holy One of God’ was a title of the *Messiah. The *demon knew that the *Messiah would destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).
Verse 35 People tried to force out *demons by all kinds of methods. Jesus cured the man just by his order. Luke, who was a doctor, noted that the *demon had not hurt the man.
Verse 36 The people recognised that Jesus had authority to make the *demons leave. His words had the power to make them obey him.
Jesus taught in a very different way from the *rabbis. They only repeated what earlier teachers had said. Jesus spoke in a direct way, on his own authority. He did not depend on the authority of what other people had said.
Verse 37 The news spread in the region of Galilee round Capernaum.
2. Simon’s wife’s mother 4:38-39
v38 Jesus left the *synagogue and went to Simon’s home. Simon’s wife’s mother was ill with a high (bad) *fever. They asked Jesus to help her. v39 He went and stood by her bed. He ordered the *fever to leave her. At once, she became well again. She got up and served them.
Verse 38 Jesus calls Simon Peter to be a *disciple in chapter 5. Simon Peter’s home was in Capernaum. Luke, who was a doctor, uses a medical term when he speaks of a ‘high (bad) *fever’.
Verse 39 Jesus shows his authority again when he orders the *fever to go. At once, she is well and able to prepare food for them all.
3. The evening 4:40-41
v40 After sunset, all those who had any sick people with various diseases brought them to Jesus. He put his hands on the people and made them all well. v41 *Demons also came out of many people and they screamed, ‘You are the *Son of God!’ But Jesus ordered them not to speak. They realised that he was the *Messiah.
Verse 40 People remained at home as it was the *Sabbath day. They could not carry anyone to Jesus. It was against the *Jewish *Sabbath tradition to carry something. The *Sabbath ended at sunset. Then friends and relatives were able to bring their sick friends to Jesus. They either carried them on mats or helped them to walk. There were many different diseases among the sick people. On this occasion, Jesus cured by touching people.
Verse 41 Jesus did not want *demons to say who he was. If people believed the *demons, they might try to make Jesus king. Jesus did not want to begin a popular movement against the *Romans. This would cause great trouble. Then he would not be able to do his work.
4. Jesus leaves Capernaum 4:42-44
v42 When day came, Jesus left the town. He went to a quiet place by himself. But people began to look for him. When they found him, they tried to stop him so that he did not leave Capernaum. v43 But he said to them, ‘I must declare the good news about the *kingdom of God in other towns as well. That is what God sent has sent me to do’. v44 So he continued to teach in the *synagogues in all parts of the country.
Verse 42 Early on Sunday morning, Jesus went off by himself. Mark says that he went to pray (Mark 1:35).
Verse 43 ‘The *kingdom of God’ is not a country. It means that God rules as king. It is both a present and a future *kingdom. It was present when Jesus came. Everyone who believes him becomes part of his *kingdom. It is still in the future, when God will establish his rule over the whole world.
This publication is written in EasyEnglish Level B (2800 words)
glory ~ everything that makes God beautiful and great; like a great light from God.worship ~ show honour and respect to God and praise him.
worship ~ show honour and respect to God and praise him.
Lord ~ name for God in the Bible; name that we use for Jesus when we obey him.
Temple ~ special building in Jerusalem where Jews worshipped God.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
worship ~ show honour and respect to God and praise him.
angel ~ God’s servant and messenger in heaven.
messenger ~ person who gives a message.'baptise/baptism ~ to put a person into water to show that he wants to obey God.'Christ/Messiah ~ the Jews’ word for the king whom God would send to rescue them.
Messiah/Christ ~ the Jews’ word for the king whom God would send to rescue them.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.'Israel, Israelites ~ all the people from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
synagogue ~ a building where Jews gather to pray and to study the *Old Testament.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
Sabbath ~ day of rest when people should not work (Saturday for Jews).
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
prophet ~ one who tells God’s messages.'save/salvation ~ rescue from the power and result of sin.
sin/sinner ~ when people do things against God or other people.
Jewish ~ a word that describes a Jew or anything to do with a Jew.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
Hebrew ~ language of the Jews and of the *Old Testament.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
scroll ~ long piece of paper or animal skin with words on it.
spiritual ~ belonging to the spirit.
spirit ~ the part of a person which is alive, which we cannot see. It can speak to other spirits and the soul.
soul ~ the part of a person that we cannot see, that is in us during our life on earth. It continues to live after the body dies.
Gentiles ~ people who are not Jews.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
demons ~ bad or evil spirits. They work for Satan, the chief demon.
Satan ~ chief evil spirit; the Devil.
unclean ~ (1) not pure in a religious meaning. (2) dirty.
religious ~ leaders belonging to a religion.
Scribes ~ teachers of the law of Moses.'sin/sinner ~ when people do things against God or other people.
rabbi ~ teacher of the law of the Jews.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
fever ~ illness that makes the body very hot.
disciple ~ one who follows another and learns from him; a person who believes in Jesus; a person who follows the things that he teaches.
demons ~ bad or evil spirits. They work for Satan, the chief demon.
Satan ~ chief evil spirit; the Devil.'Son of God ~ a title of Messiah.
Christ/Messiah ~ the Jews’ word for the king whom God would send to rescue them.
Messiah/Christ ~ the Jews’ word for the king whom God would send to rescue them.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
Roman ~ person or thing that belongs to Rome.
Rome ~ capital of a great empire in *New Testament times.
empire ~ group of nations under one ruler (emperor).
emperor ~ king who rules over many countries.
kingdom ~ land that a king rules.
Luke: The Man Christ Jesus
Jesus in Galilee
Ian Mackervoy
Chapter 4
The devil tests Jesus – Luke 4:1-4
v1 Jesus was full of the *Holy Spirit as he returned from the Jordan River. Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert. v2 For 40 days in the desert, the devil *tempted him. Jesus did not eat anything during those days. And at the end of those days, he was very hungry.
v3 Then the devil spoke to Jesus. ‘If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.’ v4 Jesus answered him from the Bible. ‘*Scripture says, “A person cannot live on bread alone.’ ”
v5 The devil took Jesus up to a high place. And he showed Jesus all the *kingdoms of the world in an instant. v6 The devil said to Jesus, ‘I will give to you all this power and the *glory of these nations. All of it belongs to me. And I can give it to anyone that I wish. v7 So, if you *worship me, it will all be yours.’
v8 Jesus answered him from the Bible. ‘*Scripture says, “*Worship the *Lord your God.” And it says, “Serve only him.” ’
v9 Then the devil led Jesus to Jerusalem. And he put Jesus on the highest part of the *temple. The devil said to Jesus. ‘If you are the Son of God, jump down from here. v10 The *scriptures say, “God will order his *angels to preserve you from danger.” v11 Also, the *scriptures say, “The *angels will carry you in their hands so that you will not hurt your foot against a stone.” ’
v12 Again, Jesus answered the devil. ‘The *scriptures say, “Do not test the *Lord your God.” ’
v13 After the devil had *tempted Jesus in every way, he left Jesus for a time.
Verses 1-2 The *Holy Spirit came upon Jesus at his *baptism in the Jordan River. The *Holy Spirit came into Jesus so that Jesus was full of the *Holy Spirit. Then Jesus went away from the river. The *Holy Spirit made Jesus go into the desert. Jesus was in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights. During that time, he had nothing to eat. All through these 40 days, the devil *tempted Jesus. But the final attack of the devil came at the end of that time.
Verses 3-4 The devil, who is also called *Satan, opposes God and God’s people. Often he works by means of evil spirits or *demons.
Jesus was by this time very hungry. So, the devil came to him. What he said meant this: ‘You can make bread from a stone. By this, you can prove that you are the Son of God. Do it and satisfy your hunger. Use your power for your own benefit.’ *Satan *tempted Christ to act apart from *faith in God.
Jesus answered the devil from the Bible. He repeated words from Deuteronomy 8:3. In that verse, Moses reminded *Israel that for 40 years in the desert God gave food to them. Then Moses said, ‘Man does not live on bread alone. But man shall live on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’
We need to listen to the words that God speaks. For us today, the normal way that God speaks is by means of the Bible.
Verses 5-8 The devil took Jesus to a high place. We do not know whether this was a physical mountain. But from this place, the devil showed Jesus all the *kingdoms of the world. He could not do this from any one place on earth. So clearly, the devil gave to Jesus a *vision of the whole world. He showed Jesus all the wealth and the *glory of the nations.
*Satan said that he owned all these nations. God has allowed *Satan to have some power over the nations. Jesus calls *Satan ‘the ruler of this world’ (John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11). This does not say that *Satan owns the world. But he does have great authority in the world.
If Jesus *worshipped *Satan, *Satan promised to give all these nations to Jesus. That would mean that Jesus accepted *Satan’s authority. They would not still be enemies. Then Jesus would not have gone to the cross to die for our *sins. And there would have been be no *salvation for us.
Again, Jesus answered the devil from the Bible (Deuteronomy 6:13). It was wrong to *worship *Satan. Jesus would remain completely loyal to God, his Father.
Verses 9-12 A third time *Satan *tempted Jesus. He took Jesus to Jerusalem. This was probably in another *vision. He asked Jesus to throw himself off from a certain high point of the *temple. This would prove that Jesus is the Son of God. *Satan even used the Bible to argue that Jesus would be safe (Psalms 91:11-12).
Jesus did not need to do a *miracle to prove who he was. Instead, Jesus answered *Satan by another *scripture (Deuteronomy 6:16). It is wrong to test God. We must not expect God to do what we want. We must not try to achieve God’s purposes by methods that are not proper.
Verse 13 The devil would continue to *tempt Jesus. But for now, he went away.
The good news of the *kingdom – Luke 4:14–5:16
The people in Nazareth refuse to accept Jesus – Luke 4:14-30
v14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the *Holy Spirit. The news about him spread through all that territory. v15 He taught in their *synagogues and everyone praised him.
v16 Jesus came to the town called Nazareth. He had grown up there. On the *Sabbath day, he went to the *synagogue, as he always did. And he stood up to read. v17 The assistant gave him the *scroll of the *prophet Isaiah. He opened it and he read this passage.
v18 ‘The Spirit of the *Lord is on me. He has chosen me to tell good news to the poor people. He has sent me to tell the prisoners that they are free. He sent me to give sight to blind people. He sent me to free those people who suffer. v19 And he sent me to announce the year of the *Lord’s kindness.’
v20 Jesus closed the *scroll and he gave it back to the assistant. Jesus sat down and all the people in the *synagogue looked at him. v21 Then Jesus began to speak. He said, ‘I have read this from the Bible to you. And today it has happened.’
v22 Everyone said good things about him. They were surprised at the wonderful things that he said. Then they said, ‘But he is the son of Joseph.’
v23 Jesus said to them, ‘You will probably repeat the old story to me. “Doctor, cure yourself.” And, “We have heard what happened in Capernaum. Do the same things here in your own town.” ’
v24 And Jesus said, ‘I will tell you the truth. The people in his own town will not accept a *prophet. v25 I tell you that there were many widows in *Israel during the days of Elijah. It did not rain then for three and a half years. And many people were suffering without food across the whole country. v26 But God did not send Elijah to any of those widows. God sent him to a widow in Zarephath, a town in the country called Sidon. v27 Also, during the time of Elisha, there were many people in *Israel with *leprosy. God did not cure them. But he did cure Naaman who was from the country called Syria.’
v28 When all the people in the *synagogue heard these things, they became very angry. v29 They rose up and they forced Jesus out of the town. They took him up the hill on which they had built the town. There they intended to throw Jesus from a cliff. v30 But Jesus walked through the middle of them and he went away.
Verses 14-17 From the desert, Jesus returned to the region called Galilee. The *Holy Spirit’s power was in him. Jesus taught in the *synagogues. And his fame spread through the entire region.
Then Jesus came to the town called Nazareth. As was his custom, he went to the *synagogue. He stood up to read and the assistant gave to him the Book of Isaiah. The book was in the form of a *scroll. He read from chapter 61 of that book. This may have been the passage for that day or Jesus may have chosen it.
Verses 18-21 In the *synagogue, it was the custom to stand to read. And it was the custom to sit to *preach. So, Jesus stood up and he read the passage. Then he closed the *scroll and he gave it back to the assistant. He sat down and all the people looked at him. Jesus began to *preach.
Jesus told the people that this *prophecy from Isaiah was about him. It was a *prophecy about what the *Christ would do. So, Jesus was telling them that he was the *Christ.
The year of the *Lord’s kindness does not mean a calendar year. It refers to the period in which God offers *salvation to us. That period is now.
Verses 22-27 Jesus grew up in Nazareth. The people there knew him well. They all thought very highly of him because he was such a good person. They knew Jesus as the son of Joseph, a local workman who worked with wood. The way that Jesus taught surprised them. They wondered at the wisdom and authority in what he said. But they refused to believe that Joseph’s son was the *Christ. Because of this, their attitude to Jesus would change.
It is not clear why Jesus told the old story about a doctor. But later in his life his enemies said, ‘He saved other people. But he cannot save himself’ (Matthew 27:42).
The people in Nazareth had heard about the *miracles that Jesus had done in Capernaum. They expected Jesus to perform *miracles for them. If the *prophecy in the Book of Isaiah referred to Jesus, he must prove it. But they did not believe him.
Jesus knew that the people in Nazareth would not accept him. People do not accept *prophets from their own district. People are always more ready to see greatness in strangers than in someone that they know well.
During the life of Elijah, there was no rain for three and a half years. Because of the lack of rain, there was very little food. God did not send Elijah to any widow in *Israel. He sent Elijah to a widow in the foreign town called Zarephath (1 Kings 17:3-24). While Elijah was with her, God supplied food for them. Also, during the life of Elisha, many people in *Israel suffered from the illness called *leprosy. But God did not send any of them to Elisha. He sent Naaman, a foreigner, for Elisha to cure (2 Kings 5:1-14). Jesus used these events to show that *prophets do not have much honour among their own people.
In the *Old Testament, it says that the rain came at the end of the third year (1 Kings 18:1 and 18:45). In the *New Testament, it says that there was no rain for three and a half years (Luke 4:25; James 5:17). In *Israel at that time, there were two seasons of rain. These were in April and October. So, there was an extra period of 6 months when there would usually be no rain. Then for the next three years, the rain failed. That explains why there was no rain for three and a half years.
The word *leprosy could include other skin diseases.
Verses 28-30 The people became very angry. There could be several reasons for this. They did not believe that Jesus was the *Christ. But he said that the *prophecy in Isaiah was about him. He had done many *miracles in other places. But he would not do any *miracles in their town. He spoke about how the *Lord had sent Elijah to foreigners rather than to *Jews. In those days, the *Jews believed that the *Lord was God of the *Jews alone. They could not agree that God would be kind to people from other nations.
Nazareth is on the southern slopes of the hills in the region called Galilee. All the people in the *synagogue took hold of Jesus. They forced him out of their town. They took him to a high place. They intended to throw Jesus down from a cliff. If they did throw him down, it would kill him.
But it was not yet the right time for him to die. And by some means, Jesus left that place safely. We do not know how he did this. He turned and he walked through the crowd. We do not read that he came to Nazareth again.
Jesus sends an evil spirit from a man – Luke 4:31-37
v31 Then Jesus went to Capernaum, a town in the region called Galilee. On the *Sabbath day, he taught the people. v32 He taught with authority and this astonished the people.
v33 In the *synagogue, there was a man who had a *demon, an evil spirit. He shouted with a loud voice. v34 ‘Jesus from Nazareth, what do you want with us? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the holy one of God.’
v35 Jesus spoke firmly to the *demon, ‘Be quiet. Come out of the man.’ The *demon threw the man down to the ground in front of all the people. It then left the man but it did not hurt him.
v36 This astonished all the people. And they spoke with each other. They said, ‘What a powerful word! With authority, he commands evil spirits and they come out.’ v37 So, the news about Jesus spread to every place in the whole area.
Verses 31-37 Jesus returned to Capernaum. He had done *miracles there before (verse 23). Capernaum was on the north and west shore of the sea called Galilee.
On the *Sabbath day, Jesus went to the *synagogue and he taught the people there. What he said astonished the people. Perhaps this was because Jesus was not a teacher in their tradition. But he *preached with power and authority. This was not normal. Other teachers would use the traditions and the opinions of previous teachers (see Mark 1:22). But Jesus had his own authority. Jesus knew the truth of what he taught. He did not need to express the opinions of other men.
The man with an evil spirit shouted out. The evil spirit knew who Jesus was. Jesus from Nazareth was the holy one of God, that is, the *Christ. And the evil spirit was afraid of Jesus. The evil spirit knew that Jesus had the power to defeat him. Jesus did not answer the evil spirit’s questions. ‘What do you want with us?’ means this: ‘There is no connection between us and you!’
Jesus ordered the spirit to be quiet and to come out of the man. Jesus had such authority that the spirit had to obey him. The spirit threw the man to the ground and came out of him. The spirit did not hurt the man but he was free from the evil spirit.
The way that Jesus taught astonished the people. Also, his authority even over evil spirits astonished them. Nobody else had shown such power and authority. News of what Jesus had done spread quickly to the whole region.
This is the first of 21 *miracles in Luke’s *Gospel. And it is the first of 5 *miracles in which Jesus cures a person on the *Sabbath day (4:38-39, 6:6-10, 13:10-13, 14:1-4).
Jesus cures many people – Luke 4:38-44
v38 Jesus left the *synagogue and he went to the home of Simon. The mother of Simon’s wife was sick with a very bad *fever. And they asked Jesus to help her. v39 Jesus bent over her and he ordered the *fever to leave. The *fever left her. She got up at once and she began to serve them.
v40 The sun was going down. The people brought those people who were sick to Jesus. These sick people had various diseases. Jesus put his hands on each sick person and he cured them. v41 *Demons came out of many people. The *demons cried out, ‘You are the Son of God.’ But Jesus ordered them to be quiet. They knew that he was the *Christ. Therefore, he did not allow them to speak.
v42 Early in the morning, Jesus went to a place where he could be alone. The crowds searched for him and they found him. Then they tried to keep him so that he would not go from them. v43 But Jesus said to them, ‘I must declare the good news about the *kingdom of God in other towns as well. That is what God sent me to do.’ v44 And he continued to *preach in the *synagogues in Judea.
Verses 38-39 Jesus left the *synagogue and he went with Simon, Andrew, James and John (Mark 1:29). They went to the house of Simon and Andrew. They found that the mother of Simon Peter’s wife was sick with an illness. She lay in her bed. They asked Jesus for help. At his order, the *fever left her. He took her hand and he lifted her up. She got up and she served them.
Even as the *demon had to obey Jesus, so the *fever had to go. The *fever went immediately and she was completely well. Again, it showed Christ’s authority and power.
Peter and Andrew were from the town called Bethsaida (John 1:44). That town was probably where they were born. It seems that later they moved to this house in Capernaum.
Simon was Peter’s original name. Jesus gave to Simon the name ‘Peter’ (6:14).
Verses 40-41 The *Sabbath day starts on Friday evening and it ends on Saturday evening. The law in the *Old Testament said that the *Jews must not work on the *Sabbath. The *Jews thought that they could not carry anything on the *Sabbath day. The *Pharisees even thought that to cure a person on the *Sabbath day was against the law. So, the people waited until the *Sabbath day had ended. Then they brought the sick people to Jesus.
Jesus put his hands on each sick person. And he cured all their diseases. Jesus did not always put his hands on sick people. But it does show us that the power to cure flows from him.
There were many in the crowd who had *demons. As in the *synagogue, the *demons knew who Jesus was. They knew that he was the Son of God. They knew that Jesus was the *Christ. Again, Jesus told them to be quiet. And Jesus sent them out of the people.
Verses 42-44 Early in the morning, while it was yet dark, Jesus got up. He went to a place alone to pray (Mark 1:35). The people in Capernaum did not want Jesus to go from their town. They searched for him. When they found him, they tried to persuade him to stay with them. But Jesus would not stay there. He had to *preach in other towns. God sent him to declare the good news about the *kingdom of God.
Jesus left Capernaum. He went through Judea and he *preached in their *synagogues. Judea here probably includes Galilee.
The *kingdom of God is where God rules as king. The *kingdom had already come in the life of Jesus. His authority and power showed to us something of the *kingdom. The *kingdom of God is not a physical place. All who believe in Jesus are part of the *kingdom. They have accepted the rule of God in their lives. But the *kingdom of God has not yet come completely. It is still in the future. God will establish his rule over all who are in heaven and on the earth.
Holy Spirit ~ God’s Spirit, whom Jesus has sent to help his people. The Bible also calls the Holy Spirit: the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ and the Comforter. The Holy Spirit is a person but not human. He carries out God’s work on earth. The Holy Spirit is God, equal with God the Father and with God the Son.kingdom ~ the place or territory where a king rules. In the New Testament, this word nearly always refers to the people over whom the king rules and not a territory on earth.
New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, which the writers wrote after the life of Jesus on earth.
glory ~ great honour and beauty.
worship ~ the act when someone shows honour to God (or to a false god). When a person worships, that person praises God. That person thanks God. And that person respects God.
worship ~ the act when someone shows honour to God (or to a false god). When a person worships, that person praises God. That person thanks God. And that person respects God.
Lord ~ a title for God, or Jesus, to show that he is over all people and things. In the Old Testament, LORD was a special name for God.
Old Testament ~ the first part of the Bible; the holy things that the writers wrote before Jesus’ birth.
temple ~ a special building for the worship of God. The Jews had a temple in Jerusalem for the worship of the real God. But at other temples, people worshipped false gods.
worship ~ the act when someone shows honour to God (or to a false god). When a person worships, that person praises God. That person thanks God. And that person respects God.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the families of their children.
angel ~ a servant of God from heaven. God made angels to serve him and to take his messages. So, angels are God’s servants from heaven. But there are evil angels who opposed God. These evil angels now serve the devil.
Satan ~ the name of the devil.
demons ~ evil angels that serve the devil.
angel ~ a servant of God from heaven. God made angels to serve him and to take his messages. So, angels are God’s servants from heaven. But there are evil angels who opposed God. These evil angels now serve the devil.
faith ~ trust in someone or something; belief and trust in God and in Jesus Christ his Son.
Israel ~ the country of the Jews.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the families of their children.
sin ~ sin is the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God.
salvation ~ the result when God saves us from sin and punishment; the new life that God gives to those people who believe in the Lord Jesus.
sin ~ sin is the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God.
Lord ~ a title for God, or Jesus, to show that he is over all people and things. In the Old Testament, LORD was a special name for God.
Old Testament ~ the first part of the Bible; the holy things that the writers wrote before Jesus’ birth.
miracle ~ a powerful deed that does not happen by natural means. Often, miracles seem impossible to explain. Miracles show God’s power.
synagogue ~ a building where Jews gather for prayer; a place where the Jews meet for the purpose of their religion.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the families of their children.
Sabbath ~ the 7th day of the week (Saturday) which was special to the Jews as a holy day.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the families of their children.
scroll ~ a book in the form of a roll of paper or other material.
prophet ~ a person who speaks for God. A prophet can sometimes say what will happen in the future.
leprosy ~ a serious disease of the skin.
preach ~ to speak out God’s message in public and to teach his word.
prophecy ~ a message from God that a person speaks by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit ~ God’s Spirit, whom Jesus has sent to help his people. The Bible also calls the Holy Spirit: the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ and the Comforter. The Holy Spirit is a person but not human. He carries out God’s work on earth. The Holy Spirit is God, equal with God the Father and with God the Son.
Christ ~ the Christ is the name for the person whom God would send to save his people. Jesus is the Christ and he was called Christ.'Old Testament ~ the first part of the Bible; the holy things that the writers wrote before Jesus’ birth.'New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, which the writers wrote after the life of Jesus on earth.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the families of their children.
Gospel ~ one of the four Bible Books about the life of Jesus.
fever ~ an illness that makes the body very hot.
demons ~ evil angels that serve the devil.
angel ~ a servant of God from heaven. God made angels to serve him and to take his messages. So, angels are God’s servants from heaven. But there are evil angels who opposed God. These evil angels now serve the devil.
Pharisees ~ a group of Jews who tried to keep all God’s rules. Many Pharisees did not approve of Jesus.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the families of their children.