Luke 4
4
The Temptation of Jesus
(Mt 4.1–11; Mk 1.12–13)
1Jesus returned from the Jordan full of the Holy Spirit and was led by the Spirit into the desert, 2where he was tempted by the Devil for forty days. In all that time he ate nothing, so that he was hungry when it was over.
3The Devil said to him, “If you are God's Son, order this stone to turn into bread.”
4 #
Deut 8.3
But Jesus answered, “The scripture says, ‘Human beings cannot live on bread alone.’ ”
5Then the Devil took him up and showed him in a second all the kingdoms of the world. 6“I will give you all this power and all this wealth,” the Devil told him. “It has all been handed over to me, and I can give it to anyone I choose. 7All this will be yours, then, if you worship me.”
8 #
Deut 6.13
Jesus answered, “The scripture says, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him!’ ”
9Then the Devil took him to Jerusalem and set him on the highest point of the Temple, and said to him, “If you are God's Son, throw yourself down from here. 10#Ps 91.11For the scripture says, ‘God will order his angels to take good care of you.’ 11#Ps 91.12It also says, ‘They will hold you up with their hands so that not even your feet will be hurt on the stones.’ ”
12 #
Deut 6.16
But Jesus answered, “The scripture says, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”
13When the Devil finished tempting Jesus in every way, he left him for a while.
Jesus Begins his Work in Galilee
(Mt 4.12–17; Mk 1.14–15)
14Then Jesus returned to Galilee, and the power of the Holy Spirit was with him. The news about him spread throughout all that territory. 15He taught in the synagogues and was praised by everyone.
Jesus is Rejected at Nazareth
(Mt 13.53–58; Mk 6.1–6)
16Then Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath he went as usual to the synagogue. He stood up to read the Scriptures 17and was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it is written:
18 #
Is 61.1–2 (LXX) “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind;
to set free the oppressed
19 and announce that the time has come
when the Lord will save his people.”
20Jesus rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. All the people in the synagogue had their eyes fixed on him, 21as he said to them, “This passage of scripture has come true today, as you heard it being read.”
22They were all well impressed with him and marvelled at the eloquent words that he spoke. They said, “Isn't he the son of Joseph?”
23He said to them, “I am sure that you will quote this proverb to me, ‘Doctor, heal yourself.’ You will also tell me to do here in my home town the same things you heard were done in Capernaum. 24#Jn 4.44I tell you this,” Jesus added, “prophets are never welcomed in their home town.
25 #
1 Kgs 17.1
“Listen to me: it is true that there were many widows in Israel during the time of Elijah, when there was no rain for 3.5 years and a severe famine spread throughout the whole land. 26#1 Kgs 17.8–16Yet Elijah was not sent to anyone in Israel, but only to a widow living in Zarephath in the territory of Sidon. 27#2 Kgs 5.1–14And there were many people suffering from a dreaded skin disease who lived in Israel during the time of the prophet Elisha; yet not one of them was healed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”
28When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were filled with anger. 29They rose up, dragged Jesus out of the town, and took him to the top of the hill on which their town was built. They meant to throw him over the cliff, 30but he walked through the middle of the crowd and went his way.
A Man with an Evil Spirit
(Mk 1.21–28)
31Then Jesus went to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, where he taught the people on the Sabbath. 32#Mt 7.28–29They were all amazed at the way he taught, because he spoke with authority. 33In the synagogue was a man who had the spirit of an evil demon in him; he screamed out in a loud voice, 34“Ah! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Are you here to destroy us? I know who you are: you are God's holy messenger!”
35Jesus ordered the spirit, “Be quiet and come out of the man!” The demon threw the man down in front of them and went out of him without doing him any harm.
36The people were all amazed and said to one another, “What kind of words are these? With authority and power this man gives orders to the evil spirits, and they come out!” 37And the report about Jesus spread everywhere in that region.
Jesus Heals Many People
(Mt 8.14–17; Mk 1.29–34)
38Jesus left the synagogue and went to Simon's house. Simon's mother-in-law was sick with a high fever, and they spoke to Jesus about her. 39He went and stood at her bedside and ordered the fever to leave her. The fever left her, and she got up at once and began to wait on them.
40After sunset all who had friends who were sick with various diseases brought them to Jesus; he placed his hands on every one of them and healed them all. 41Demons also went out from many people, screaming, “You are the Son of God!”
Jesus gave the demons an order and would not let them speak, because they knew that he was the Messiah.
Jesus Preaches in the Synagogues
(Mk 1.35–39)
42At daybreak Jesus left the town and went off to a lonely place. The people started looking for him, and when they found him, they tried to keep him from leaving. 43But he said to them, “I must preach the Good News about the Kingdom of God in other towns also, because that is what God sent me to do.”
44So he preached in the synagogues throughout the country.
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Good News Bible with Deuterocanonicals/Apocrypha. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.
Luke 4
4
Jesus Tested in the Wilderness
1-2From the moment of his baptism, Jesus overflowed with the Holy Spirit. He was taken by the Spirit from the Jordan into the wilderness of Judea # 4:1–2 The Holy Spirit’s leading is not always into comfort and ease. The Spirit may lead us, as he did Jesus, into places where we will be proven, tested, and strengthened for our future ministry. After Jesus’ greatest affirmation from heaven came a great time of testing. to experience for forty days the ordeal of testing # 4:1–2 The Greek word here means “to test with a sinister motive.” This test was more than proving that Jesus could overcome this ordeal. It proved that Satan was defeated by Christ’s appearing. by the accuser. # 4:1–2 The words accuser and devil are used interchangeably in this translation. Jesus’ baptism and the forty days of wilderness temptations that followed evoke parallels with the historical narrative of the Hebrew exodus through the Red Sea and the forty years of wilderness testing. He ate no food during this time and ended his forty-day fast very hungry. 3It was then the devil said to him, “If you are really the Son of God, command this stone to turn into a loaf of bread for you.”
4Jesus replied, “I will not! # 4:4 Although Jesus refused to turn stones to bread, today he transforms the stony hearts of human beings and converts us into living bread to give to the nations. For it is written in the Scriptures, # 4:4 Jesus, the living Word, is quoting from the written Word (Deut. 8:3). If the living Word used the written Word against the enemy’s temptations, how much more do we need the revelation of what has been written so that we can stand against all his snares? See 2 Tim. 2:24–25. ‘Life does not come only from eating bread but from God. Life flows from every revelation from his mouth.’ ” # 4:4 This is implied by both the Greek and Aramaic texts. Although this last clause is missing in some Greek manuscripts, it is included in the Aramaic.
5The devil lifted Jesus high into the sky, # 4:5 Implied, for the Greek text simply says, “took him up,” without telling us where. and in a flash showed him all the kingdoms and regions of the world. 6-7The devil then said to Jesus, “All of this, with all its power, authority, and splendor, is mine to give to whomever I wish. Just do one thing, and you will have it all. Simply bow down to worship me, and it will be yours! You will possess everything!”
8Jesus rebuked him and said, “Satan, get behind me! # 4:8 This is found in the majority of later manuscripts. See also Matt. 4:10. For it is written in the Scriptures, ‘Only One is worthy of adoration; therefore, worship only the Lord your God and love him supremely.’ ” # 4:8 Or “serve (as a priest) him.” See Deut. 6:13; 10:20.
9Next, the devil took Jesus to Jerusalem, set him on the highest point of the temple, and tempted him, saying, “If you really are the Son of God, jump down in front of all the people. 10-11For it is written in the Scriptures, ‘God has given his angels instructions to protect you from harm. For angels’ hands will hold you up and keep you from hurting even one foot on a stone.’ ” # 4:10–11 The devil is quoting from Ps. 91:11–12, but he misapplies it.
12Jesus replied, “It is also written in the Scriptures, ‘How dare you provoke the Lord your God!’ ” # 4:12 See Deut. 6:16.
13That silenced the devil’s harassment for the time being. So he retreated until an opportune time.
14Then Jesus, armed with the Holy Spirit’s power, returned to Galilee, and his fame spread throughout the region. 15He taught in the synagogues # 4:15 Synagogues were the meeting places for the Jewish people. Every village that had at least ten families would erect a meeting house where they would come and hear visiting teachers expound the Scriptures. and they glorified him. # 4:15 The Aramaic can be translated, “and he offered everyone glory!”
16-17When he came to Nazareth, # 4:16–17 This is Netzaret, which is taken from the Hebrew word for “branch” or “sprout.” Descendants of King David founded this village (1 Sam. 16:1–13). Thus, the root of Jesse sprouted in Nazareth (Isa. 11:1). where he had grown up, he went into the synagogue, as he always did on the Sabbath. When Jesus came to the front to read the Scriptures, # 4:16–17 It was the custom of the day to read the Scriptures in Hebrew and then paraphrase it into Aramaic, the common language of that day. he was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found where it is written, 18-19“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, and he has anointed me to be hope # 4:18–19 Or “good news.” for the poor, healing for the brokenhearted, and new eyes # 4:18–19 The Greek word is translated “gazed into heaven” in Mark 6:41. for the blind, and to preach to prisoners, # 4:18–19 Literally “prisoners of war.” ‘You are set free!’ I have come to share the message of Jubilee, # 4:18–19 See Lev. 25:8–17; Isa. 58:6; 61:1–2. The Isaiah passage is associated with the proclamation of the Year of Jubilee. The Greek word used here implies a cycle of time. Jesus clearly defined his mission by reading these words of the prophet Isaiah. for the time of God’s great acceptance # 4:18–19 Or “favor.” This phrase can be translated “the years when God will accept man.” has begun.” # 4:18–19 This is quoted from Isa. 61:1. Jesus spoke this bold decree over his life and identity before he worked miracles.
20After he read this he rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. Everyone stared at Jesus, wondering what he was about to say. 21Then he added, “Today, these Scriptures came true in front of you.”
22Everyone was impressed by how well Jesus spoke, in awe of the beautiful words of grace that came from his lips. But they said among themselves, “Who does he think he is? # 4:22 This is the inferred meaning of their criticism of Jesus. His true Father was not Joseph, but Yahweh. Isn’t he Joseph’s son, who grew up here in Nazareth?”
23Jesus said to them, “I suppose you’ll quote me the proverb, ‘Doctor, go and heal yourself before you try to heal others.’ And you’ll say, ‘Work the miracles here in your hometown that we heard you did in Capernaum.’ 24But let me tell you, no prophet is welcomed or honored in his own hometown.
25“Isn’t it true that many widows lived in the land of Israel during the days of the prophet Elijah when he locked up the heavens for three and a half years and brought a devastating famine over all the land? 26But he wasn’t sent to any of the widows living in that region. Instead, he was sent to a foreign place, to a widow in Zarephath of Sidon. # 4:26 Zarephath means “the place of refining.” Sidon means “fishery” and was a Phoenician seaport city. 27Or have you not considered that the prophet Elisha healed only Naaman, # 4:27 Both the Aramaic and Greek texts have “Naaman the Aramean” or “descendant of Aram.” The Arameans inhabited what is now Syria. Naaman means “pleasantness.” the Syrian, rather than one of the many Jewish lepers living in the land?”
28When everyone present heard Jesus’ words, they erupted with furious rage. # 4:28 Jesus’ listeners got the point of his sermon. His statements implied that he would take his miracle ministry to non-Jewish people. Jubilee had come, not only for them, but for those they hated. This infuriated them enough to want to kill Jesus. 29They mobbed Jesus and threw him out of the city, dragging him to the edge of the cliff on the hill on which the city had been built, ready to hurl him off. 30But he walked right through the crowd, leaving them all stunned. # 4:30 The Greek text clearly implies it was a supernatural event. After hearing Jesus’ first sermon, they wanted to throw him off a cliff!
Jesus Confronts a Demonized Man
31Jesus went to Capernaum # 4:31 Capernaum means “the village of Nahum” and Nahum means “comforted.” Jesus did many miracles and made his Galilean base of ministry in “the village of the comforted.” in Galilee and taught the people on the Sabbath day. 32His teaching stunned and dazed # 4:32 The Greek word used here, ekplesso, is a strong verb that means “struck with amazement,” “astonished,” “panic stricken,” “shocked” or “something that takes your breath away” (like being hit with a blow), or “to expel,” “to drive out.” Jesus spoke with such glory and power emanating from him that his words were like thunderbolts into their hearts. May we hear his words today in the same way. them, for he spoke with penetrating words and great authority.
33In the congregation, there was a demonized man, who screamed out with a loud voice, 34“Go away and leave us alone. We know who you are. You’re Jesus of Nazareth, God’s Holy One. What do you want with us? Have you come to destroy us already?” # 4:34 This is an assertive statement made by the demon to Jesus.
35Immediately the demon hurled the man down on the floor in front of them. But Jesus rebuked the demon, “Be quiet and come out of him!” And without causing him any harm, the demon came out of him.
36Great astonishment swept over the people, and they said among themselves, “What kind of man is this who has such power and authority? With a mere word, he commands demons to come out, and they obey him!” 37Reports about Jesus spread like wildfire throughout every community in the surrounding region.
Jesus Heals Many
38After leaving the synagogue, Jesus went into Simon’s house, where Simon’s mother-in-law was sick with a high fever. The disciples begged Jesus to help her. 39Jesus stood over her and rebuked the fever, # 4:39 Five times in this chapter, Jesus corrects and rebukes various things and persons. He rebuked Satan (v. 8) and the unbelieving people in his hometown (vv. 23–27). Twice he rebuked demons (vv. 35 and 41). And in this verse, he rebukes fever. and she was healed instantly. Then she got up and began to serve them.
40At sunset, # 4:40 People came before dark. The Sabbath, which was to be a day of rest for every Jew, began at sunset on Friday and ended at sunset on Saturday. the people brought all those who were sick to Jesus to be healed. Jesus laid his hands on them one by one, and he healed them all of different illnesses.
41Demons also came out of many of them. Knowing that Jesus was the Anointed One, the demons shouted while coming out, “You are the Messiah, the Son of El Shaddai!” # 4:41 Or “Son of God.” El Shaddai is used to emphasize the Hebraic word for God Almighty. See footnote on Ps. 91:1. But Jesus rebuked them and commanded them to be silent.
42At daybreak the next morning, the crowds came and searched everywhere for him, but Jesus had already left to go to a secluded place. When they finally found him, they held him tightly, begging him to stay with them in Capernaum. 43But Jesus said, “Don’t you know there are other places I must go and offer the hope of God’s kingdom? # 4:43 The gospel includes the hope of an eternal kingdom. Conversion is more than believing a historical event but is found in the revelation of God’s kingdom realm that changes our hearts. This is what I have been sent to do.”
44Jesus continued to travel and preach in the synagogues throughout the land.
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