Luke 4

OOOOOOOOO

Luke 4:1–2

(HCSB) 4 Then Jesus returned from the Jordan, full of the Holy Spirit, and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness 2 for 40 days to be tempted by the Devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over, He was hungry.

Jesus was deliberately led by the Hoy Spirit into the wilderness, a place of desolation, perhaps food and water. Between Judea and the Dead Sea there was 35 x 15 mile area called Jeshimmon,, “The Desolation”. Dust heap and shards of broken limestone, the hooves of horses echoed across the unending patches of broken rock The heat of the descending area to wards the Dead Sea was like a furnace [ ahigh of over 100 degrees in summer and 70 degrees in winter. was in northern Israel near red sea which then flowed downward of River Jordan into the Dread see .But most importantly is was a place of isolation, no support from others. Jesus was led into this terrible place by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of him being tested.

In this wilderness he ate nothing

the Greek form of tempted is the present passive participle, which means that this was an ongoing effect- the tempting was ongoing throughout the 40 days. Under starvation, heat and cold, delivered into the hands of the devil while being continuously tempted. Only 3 specific temptations are shown in Luke. Are they supposed to represent the types of temptations?

Why test? In human references, a test reveals to others that a person is qualified. The tester knows that what he has gone through [ tested in battle, tested in academic qualifications, tested for advances in licensing, scientific testing confirming the truth, etc. The testee usually benefits the most, he has passed the test and is capable for the task.

God, the father could see how Jesus would fare in the test.

The test was the 3rd preparation for ministry that Jesus was about to undertake. He was baptized, he was filled with the Spirit, and the final and 3rd prep = testing.

Note that Satan isn’t trying to torture him, nor threaten kill his family [perhaps the testing had some restraints put in place by God as he did with Job] but he tried to lure Jesus away from the Father and from who he was and he tried to bribe him.

OOOOOOOOO

Luke 4:3–4

(HCSB) 3 The Devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 4 But Jesus answered him, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone.” The 1st test addressed the flesh of Jesus, the man[flesh] God [Spirit]. In the flesh Jesus is vulnerable- weak from hunger and mentally dazed from hunger. The devil [ Greek term for Satan] tempted his flesh with food to a starving man. And a challenge if you are the Son then. There is also the implication that the Muslims have had -if you really are the son of god you would not be punished with crucifixion. Your father would never let such a thing happen to a son.

Jesus responded with scripture ref.

Deuteronomy 8:2–6

(ESV) 2 And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. 3 And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. ....... 6 So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him. Keeping his commandment and revering only Him. Note that he is not only answering Satan but he is refuting him with a greater truth from scripture., almost teaching him the truth. Jesus asserts the singularity and by ultimate authority of God and to revere only Him and His commandments not some temptation from a mere angel.

Satan is trying to get Him to doubt who He is. With a new trajectory set, we go from doubt to greater doubt. Am I really a child of God? Will God really meet my need.? Can God meet my need? Is God real?

But we are to bring every thought into captivity is our problem in the flesh when we are threatened or come up against obstacles- “........

2 Corinthians 10:2–5

(ESV) 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

OOOOOOOOO 5 So he took Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 The Devil said to Him, “I will give You their splendor and all this authority, because it has been given over to me, and I can give it to anyone I want. 7 If You, then, will worship me, all will be Yours.”

8 And Jesus answered him, “It is written: Worship the Lord your God,

and serve Him only.” Satan had been given temporary authority and much power over the earth from God. But God still retains the ultimate control over the earth Satan now offers him earthly kingdoms [ was within Satan’s power to do this under God]

Daniel 4:17

(ESV) 17 The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.’

Daniel 4:25

(ESV)

25 that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.

John 16:11

(ESV) 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

John 14:30–31

(ESV) ....30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler [prince, magistrate, official] of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here. Some commentators say that much of the world had been turned over to Satan because of the sin that man carried or desired.

John 3:19

(ESV) 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

Ephesians 2:1–3

(ESV) 2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

The title translated as 'the prince of the power of the air' uses Greek words that imply a lesser ruler with an assigned authority in a lower realm.

Hebrews 2:14–15

(ESV) 14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

2 Corinthians 12:7–9

(ESV) 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Ephesians 6:11–13

(ESV) 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

1 John 5:18–19

(ESV) 18 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.

19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

If Satan was lord over all flesh, then Satan could have prevented the crucifixion or he could of had Jesus flee or deny who he was. He was unable to thwart the overall God of the world.

So, Satan tempts Jesus with power over the world which may not even be within his authority.

OOOOOOOOO

Luke 4:9–13

(HCSB)

9 So he took Him to Jerusalem, had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. 10 For it is written:

He will give His angels orders concerning you,

to protect you, 11 and

they will support you with their hands,

so that you will not strike

your foot against a stone.”

12 And Jesus answered him, “It is said: Do not test the Lord your God.”

13 After the Devil had finished every temptation, he departed from Him for a time.

The pinnacle was at junction of Solomon’s porch and the Royal Porch from there the top you looked 450 down into the Kendron valley.

Satan says if you are the Son then… and Satan quotes excerpts from

Psalm 91:11

& 12 .......

Psalm 91:9–12

(ESV) 9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge 10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. 12 On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. BUT this is a psalm about a believer praying to God. It is not a psalm about the son [ God] praying to the Father. So Stan has pulled this out of context to twist scripture to into a different meaning than what was written. So, Satan is trying to tempt and deceive both typical devises.to deceive Jesus

in typical fashion Jesus does not answer the challenge directly but answers with a higher meaning and quotes

Deuteronomy 6:16–17

(ESV) 16 “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah. 17 You shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and his testimonies and his statutes, which he has commanded you.

OOOOOOOOO

Luke 4:13

(HCSB)

13 After the Devil had finished every temptation, he departed from Him for a time.

At the completion of the given time. Satan exits for a period of time. Satan is not competed his mandatory duty as set out in the plan of God.

OOOOOOOOO

Luke 4:14–21

(HCSB)

Ministry in Galilee

14 Then Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread throughout the entire vicinity. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, being acclaimed by everyone.

Rejection at Nazareth

16 He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As usual, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to Him, and unrolling the scroll, He found the place where it was written:

18 The Spirit of the Lord is on Me,

because He has anointed Me

to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent Me

to proclaim freedom to the captives

and recovery of sight to the blind,

to set free the oppressed,

19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.

20 He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. And the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today as you listen, this Scripture has been fulfilled.”

Area of Galilee [from Hebrew Galil- a circle, since it was encircled by non-Jewish places.] Large population , a trade route hub. Josephus said that there were 204 villages each with at least 15,000 pop., extremely fertile and had water. Nazareth wasn’t a village but called a “polis” ,i.e. a city with pop of about 20,000.

.....15 He was teaching in their synagogues. There was onlu one Temple which was for sacrifice, but the syagoguss were for teaching and community contact. Jewishf las waid thfor every 10 families the must be a syagogoeu. Sounds like the samall group movement of today.Standar format was for worship and then seven men would read from the scipture and then ther would be discussion Since the scrolls were in Hebrew which few spoke a translator [Targumist]would translate a be single verse into Greek or Aramaic for the law or three verses for prophets.

The “Chazzan” wa in charge ofkeepiong the synagogue clean, fetching and putting back the roll of scipture, he also announced the announced the costart of the Sabath with three trumpet blasts, abnd he was athe taacher in the local school.

Afte reading th scipture the reader or rabbi would sit down and answer questions. That is where the English have someone in the unibesity as the “vhair” of the depatment.

.....being acclaimed by everyone.

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Luke 4:22–30

(HCSB)

22 They were all speaking well of Him and were amazed by the gracious words that came from His mouth, yet they said, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”

23 Then He said to them, “No doubt you will quote this proverb to Me: ‘Doctor, heal yourself. So all we’ve heard that took place in Capernaum, do here in Your hometown also.’ ”

24 He also said, “I assure you: No prophet is accepted in his hometown. 25 But I say to you, there were certainly many widows in Israel in Elijah’s days, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months while a great famine came over all the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them—but to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. 27 And in the prophet Elisha’s time, there were many in Israel who had serious skin diseases, yet not one of them was healed —only Naaman the Syrian.”

28 When they heard this, everyone in the synagogue was enraged. 29 They got up, drove Him out of town, and brought Him to the edge of the hill that their town was built on, intending to hurl Him over the cliff. 30 But He passed right through the crowd and went on His way.

OOOOOOOOO

Luke 4:31–37

(HCSB)

Driving Out an Unclean Spirit

31 Then He went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbath. 32 They were astonished at His teaching because His message had authority. 33 In the synagogue there was a man with an unclean demonic spirit who cried out with a loud voice, 34 “Leave us alone! What do You have to do with us, Jesus—Nazarene? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”

35 But Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be quiet and come out of him!”

And throwing him down before them, the demon came out of him without hurting him at all. 36 Amazement came over them all, and they kept saying to one another, “What is this message? For He commands the unclean spirits with authority and power, and they come out!” 37 And news about Him began to go out to every place in the vicinity.

OOOOOOOOO Healings at Capernaum

38 After He left the synagogue, He entered Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Him about her. 39 So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and began to serve them.

40 When the sun was setting, all those who had anyone sick with various diseases brought them to Him. As He laid His hands on each one of them, He would heal them. 41 Also, demons were coming out of many, shouting and saying, “You are the Son of God!” But He rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew He was the Messiah.

OOOOOOOOO

Luke 4:42–44

(HCSB) Preaching in Galilee

42 When it was day, He went out and made His way to a deserted place. But the crowds were searching for Him. They came to Him and tried to keep Him from leaving them. 43 But He said to them, “I must proclaim the good news about the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because I was sent for this purpose.” 44 And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.

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Luke 4:42–44

(HCSB)

Preaching in Galilee

42 When it was day, He went out and made His way to a deserted place. But the crowds were searching for Him. They came to Him and tried to keep Him from leaving them. 43 But He said to them, “I must proclaim the good news about the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because I was sent for this purpose.” 44 And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.