Luke 4 - Introduction
CHAPTER 4. THE TEMPTATION AND BEGINNINGS OF THE MINISTRY.... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER 4. THE TEMPTATION AND BEGINNINGS OF THE MINISTRY.... [ Continue Reading ]
δέ : introducing a new theme, closely connected, however, with the baptism, as appears from ἀπὸ τοῦ Ἰορδάνου, the genealogy being treated as a parenthesis. πλήρης Πνεύματος Ἁ., _full_ of the Spirit, who descended upon Him at the Jordan, and conceived of as abiding on Him and in Him. This phrase is a... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Temptation_ (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13). Lk.'s account of the temptation resembles Mt.'s so closely as to suggest a common source. Yet there are points of difference of which a not improbable explanation is editorial solicitude to prevent wrong impressions, and ensure edification in connecti... [ Continue Reading ]
ἡμέρας τεσσ.: this is to be taken along with ἤγετο. Jesus wandered about in the desert all that time; the wandering the external index of the absorbing meditation within (Godet). πειραζόμενος : Lk. refers to the temptation participially, as a mere incident of that forty days' experience, in marked c... [ Continue Reading ]
_First temptation_. τῷ λίθῳ τ.: possibly the stone bore a certain resemblance to a loaf. _Vide_ Farrar's note (C. G. T.), in which reference is made to Stanley's account (_Sinai and Palestine_, p. 154) of “Elijah's melons” found on Mount Carmel, as a sample of the crystallisations found in limestone... [ Continue Reading ]
καὶ ἀπεκρίθη, etc.: the answer of Jesus as given by Lk., according to the reading of [42] [43] [44], was limited to the first part of the oracle: man shall not live by bread only; naturally suggesting a contrast between physical bread and the higher food of the soul on which Jesus had been feeding ... [ Continue Reading ]
_Second temptation_. Mt.'s third. καὶ ἀναγαγὼν, without the added εἰς ὄρος ὑψ. of T.R., is an expression Lk. might very well use to obviate the objection: where is the mountain so high that from its summit you could see the whole earth? He might prefer to leave the matter vague = taking Him up who k... [ Continue Reading ]
ἐξουσίαν, authority. _Vide_ Acts 1:7-8, where this word and δύναμιν occur, the one signifying authority, the other spiritual _power_. ὅτι ἐμοὶ, etc.: this clause, not in Mt., is probably another instance of Lk.'s editorial solicitude; added to guard against the notion of a rival God with independent... [ Continue Reading ]
σὺ, emphatic; Satan hopes that Jesus has been dazzled by the splendid prospect and promise: Thou all Thine (ἔσται σοῦ πᾶσα).... [ Continue Reading ]
ὕπαγε Σατανᾶ is no part of the true text, imported from Mt.; suitable there, not here, as another temptation follows.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Third temptation_. Mt.'s second. Ἱερουσαλήμ, instead of Mt.'s ἁγίαν πόλιν. ἐντεῦθεν, added by Lk., helping to bring out the situation, suggesting the plunge down from the giddy height.... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 4:10-11 give Satan's quotation much as in Mt., with τοῦ διαφυλάξαι σε added from the Psalm.... [ Continue Reading ]
gives Christ's reply exactly as in Mt. The nature of this reply probably explains the inversion of the order of the second and third temptations in Lk. The evangelist judged it fitting that this should be the last word, construing it as an interdict against tempting _Jesus_ the _Lord_. Lk.'s version... [ Continue Reading ]
πάντα π., every kind of temptation. ἄχρι καιροῦ : implying that the same sort of temptations recurred in the experience of Jesus.... [ Continue Reading ]
ὑπέστρεψεν, as in Luke 4:1, frequently used by Lk. ἐν τῇ δυνάμει τ. Π., in the power of the Spirit; still as full of the Spirit as at the baptism. Spiritual power not weakened by temptation, rather strengthened: _post victoriam corroboratus_, Bengel. φήμη (here and in Matthew 9:26), report, caused b... [ Continue Reading ]
_Return to Galilee_ (_cf._ Mark 1:14; Mark 1:28; Mark 1:39).... [ Continue Reading ]
ἐδίδασκεν : summary reference to Christ's preaching ministry in the Galilean synagogues. αὐτῶν refers to Γαλιλαίαν, Luke 4:14, and means the Galileans; construction _ad sensum_. δοξαζόμενος : equally summary statement of the result general admiration. Lk. is hurrying on to the following story, which... [ Continue Reading ]
κατὰ τὸ εἰωθὸς : the reference most probably is, not to the custom of Jesus as a boy during His private life, but to what He had been doing since He began His ministry. He used the synagogue as one of His chief opportunities. (So J. Weiss and Hahn against Bengel, Meyer, Godet, etc.) That Jesus atten... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jesus in Nazareth_ (Matthew 13:53-58; Mark 6:1-6 a). Though Lk. uses an editorial discretion in the _placing_ of this beautiful story, there need be no suspicion as to the historicity of its main features. The visit of Jesus to His native town, which had a secure place in the common tradition, woul... [ Continue Reading ]
Ἡσαίου : the second lesson, _Haphtarah_, was from the prophets; the first, _Parashah_, from the Law, which was foremost in Rabbinical esteem. Not so in the mind of Jesus. The prophets had the first place in His thoughts, though without prejudice to the Law. No more congenial book than Isaiah (second... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 4:18-19 contain the text, Isaiah 61:1-2, free reproduction of the Sept [45], which freely reproduces the Hebrew, which probably was first read, then turned into Aramaean, then preached on by Jesus, that day. It may have been read from an Aramaean version. Most notable in the quotation is the po... [ Continue Reading ]
πτύξας, folding, ἀναπτύξας in Luke 4:17 (T. R.) = unfolding. ὑπηρέτῃ, the officer of the synagogue; _cf._ the use of the word in Acts 13:5. ἀτενίζοντες, looking attentively (ἀτενής, intent, from α and τείνω), often in Acts, _vide_, _e.g._, Luke 13:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἤρξατο : we may take what follows either as the gist of the discourse, the theme (De Wette, Godet, Hahn), or as the very words of the opening sentence (Grotius, Bengel, Meyer, Farrar). Such a direct arresting announcement would be true to the manner of Jesus.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The sequel_.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἐμαρτύρουν α., bore witness to Him, not = δοξαζόμενος in Luke 4:15; the confession was extorted from them by Christ's undeniable power. ἐθαύμαζον, not, _admired_, but, were surprised at (Hahn). λόγοις τῆς χάριτος, _words of grace_. Most take χάρις here not in the Pauline sense, but as denoting attra... [ Continue Reading ]
πάντως, doubtless, of course παραβολὴν = Hebrew _mashal_, including _proverbs_ as well as what we call “parables”. A proverb in this case. Ἰατρέ, etc.: the verbal meaning is plain, the point of the parable not so plain, though what follows seems to indicate it distinctly enough = do here, _among us_... [ Continue Reading ]
Ἀμὴν : solemnly introducing another proverb given in Mt. and Mk. (Matthew 13:57; Mark 6:4) in slightly varied form. δεκτός (_vide_ Luke 4:19, also Acts 10:35), acceptable, a Pauline word (2 Corinthians 6:2; Philippians 4:18).... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse begins, like Luke 4:24, with a solemn asseveration. It contains the proper answer to Luke 4:23. It has been suggested (J. Weiss) that Luke 4:22; Luke 4:24 have been interpolated from Mark 6:1-6 in the source Lk. here used. ἔτη τρία κ. μ. ἕξ, three years and six months. The reference is to... [ Continue Reading ]
Σάρεπτα, a village lying between Tyre and Sidon = modern _Surafend_.... [ Continue Reading ]
ὁ Σύρος. Naaman and the widow of Sarepta both Gentiles: these references savouring of universalism were welcome to Lk., but there is no reason to suspect that he put them into Christ's mouth. Jesus might have so spoken (_vide_ Matthew 8:11).... [ Continue Reading ]
Unsympathetic from the first, the Nazareans, stung by these O. T. references, become indignant. _Pagans_, not to speak of Capernaum people, better than we: away with Him! out of the synagogue, nay, out of the town (ἔξω τῆς πόλεως). ἕως ὀφρύος τ. ὄ., etc., to the eyebrow (_supercilium_, here only in... [ Continue Reading ]
αὐτὸς δὲ, but _He_, emphatic, suggesting a contrast: they infuriated, He calm and self-possessed. διελθὼν : no miracle intended, but only the marvel of the power always exerted by a tranquil spirit and firm will over human passions.... [ Continue Reading ]
_In Capernaum; the demoniac_ (Mark 1:21-28). κατῆλθεν εἰς Κ. He went down from _Nazareth_, not from _heaven_, as suggested in Marcion's Gospel, which began here: “Anno quinto-decimo principatus Tiberiani Deum descendisse in civitatem Galilaeae Capharnaum,” Tertull. c. Marc. Luke 4:7. πόλιν τ. Γ.: ci... [ Continue Reading ]
I ἐν ἐξουσίᾳ : no reference to the scribes by way of contrast, as in Mk., whereby the characterisation loses much of its point.... [ Continue Reading ]
φωνῇ μεγάλῃ, added by Lk.: in Lk.'s narratives of cures two tendencies appear (1) to magnify the _power_ displayed, and (2) to emphasise the _benevolence_. Neither of these is conspicuous in this narrative, though this phrase and ῥίψαν, and μηδὲν βλάψαν αὐτόν in Luke 4:35, look in the direction of ... [ Continue Reading ]
ἔα : here only (not genuine in Mk., T.R.) in N. T. = ha! Vulg [46], _sine_ as if from ἐᾷν; a cry of horror. Ναζαρηνέ : Lk. usually writes Ναζωραῖε. The use of this form here suggests that he has Mk.'s account lying before him. [46] Vulgate (Jerome's revision of old Latin version).... [ Continue Reading ]
μηδὲν before βλάψαν implies expectation of a contrary result.... [ Continue Reading ]
ὁ λόγος οὗτος refers either to the commanding _word_ of Jesus, followed by such astounding results (“quid est hoc verbum?” Vulg [47]), or = what is this _thing?_ what a surprising affair! (“quid hoc rei est?” Beza, and after him Grotius, De Wette, etc.). In either case Lk.'s version at this point is... [ Continue Reading ]
ἦχος (ἀκοὴ, Mk.), a sound, report; again in Luke 21:25; Acts 2:2 = ἠχώ in classics.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Peter's mother-in-law_ (Matthew 8:14-15; Mark 1:29-31). Σίμωνος : another anticipation. In Mk. the call of Peter and others to discipleship has been previously narrated. One wonders that Lk. does not follow his example in view of his preface, where the apostles are called eye-witnesses, ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς.... [ Continue Reading ]
παραχρῆμα, immediately, another word having the same aim: cured at _once_, and perfectly; able to serve.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sabbath evening cures_ (Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 1:32-34). δύνοντος τ. ἡ.: Lk. selects the more important part of Mk.'s dual definition of time. With sunset the Sabbath closed. δύνοντος is present participle of the late form δύνω = δύω. ἑνὶ ἑκάστῳ : laying His hands _on each one_, a touch peculiar to... [ Continue Reading ]
λέγοντα ὅτι, etc.: Lk. alone notes that the demons, in leaving their victims, bore witness in a despairing cry to the Divine Sonship of Jesus. God's power in this Man, our power doomed. Again a tribute to the miraculous might of Jesus.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Withdrawal from Capernaum_ (Mark 1:35-39). γενομένης ἡμέρας, when it was day, _i.e._, when people were up and could see Jesus' movements, and accordingly followed Him. In Mk. Jesus departed very early before dawn, when all would be in bed; a kind of _flight_. οἱ ὄχλοι : in Mk. Simon and those with... [ Continue Reading ]
ὅτι καὶ : the purpose of Jesus is the same in Lk. as in Mk., but differently expressed, in fuller, more developed terms, to preach the good news of the Kingdom of God. Of course all must hear the news; they could not gainsay that. ἀπεστάλην, I was sent, referring to His Divine mission; in place of M... [ Continue Reading ]