Luke Chapter 4, Part 1

Verses 1-13 Christ Tempted in the Wilderness

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, 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.[1]

Verse 1

Being full of the Holy Ghost – The other gospels mention that the Holy Ghost led Christ to the wilderness, but only Luke mentions that Christ was full of the Holy Ghost.

Returned from the Jordan – This links this account with the baptism account from the previous chapter. In the other synoptic gospels, the baptism is placed after the wilderness temptations. In Luke, the baptism is the last preparatory actions for His ministry.

Led into the wilderness – It has been unclear if this meant to actual wilderness or the desert around the region. In the Old Testament, the wilderness was seen physically, but it was also seen spiritually, as a place to connect with God, and in other contexts, was seen as the abode of demons.

Verse 2

Forty days – I instantly think about Noah’s Ark and the forty years in the wilderness when I hear forty days. Forty is a number in the Bible that is often symbolic of a generation.

Tempted of the devil - We only receive three temptations in the account, but the Greek grammar is in the present tense, meaning Christ was tempted the entire forty days.

In those days ate nothing – In Matthew, it says that Christ had fasted, and Matthew uses the word for a religious fasting. Christ’s abstinence from food then was a spiritual matter.

Was hungry – Who wouldn’t be after forty days of no food? The hunger of Christ is the basis for the specific temptation we will encounter next.

Verse 3

The devil said to Him – I only know of three people to be directly confronted by the devil in the entirety of our history. Eve, Job, and Christ. The devil is directly confronting Jesus to temp Him.

If thou be the Son of God – Jesus has just heard a voice come from the Heavens declaring Him as the Son of God. Satan challenges this, “are you the Son of God?” “Are you sure?” “If you are then you can…”

Command this stone be made to bread – This temptation was not to draw a following or make Christ popular. The accounts do not discuss or leave room for any witnesses. The temptation instead appears to be tempting Christ to use the Power of God, as God’s Son, to meet His own end.

Verse 4

It is written – In each of the temptations Christ faces, He answers and is victories with the Word of God.

Men shall not live off bread alone – We live not just a mere existence, but we are Spiritual creatures with spiritual needs. This quotation from Duet 8:3 Goes back to Israel relying on God for His provision and care.

“3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.[2]”

Verse 5

It is not indicated how the devil took Christ, whether by walking or teleporting. For Luke, the how was not as important as the what. What did satan do and why did he do it? Satan showed Christ the kingdom’s of the world. Perhaps if His hunger could not turn Him then the kingdoms of the earth can.

Verse 6

All this power and glory I will give thee – This next temptation would be a hard one to turn down. Satan offers all the power and glory of the earths kingdoms to Christ. The reality is, Christ would already receive all the kingdoms and glory. Rather, the specific temptation was to receive of the kingdoms without going to the cross. Like us, Christ had to make a choice to trust in God’s ways and take the cross or do it satans way, the easy way.

For that is delivered to me – God is always in control, but He has temporarily given the earth as satans domain.

And I can give it to whom I please – Satan temps Christ with “These kingdoms are mine, they were given to me, so I can give them as I please”.

Verse 7

If you would only worship me – This is what satan really desires. To take what is God’s alone and have it given to Him. This is the cost of what satan offers, that you should forsake God and worship him.

Verse 8

It is written – Again, Christ quotes the scriptures as His defense. This time quoting from Duet 6:13

“Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.[3]”

Thou shall worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shall thy serve – Christ selects a scripture relevant to the temptation. Anytime we are faced with a temptation, we should seek the word of God to see if it agrees. Then we could know of the correct choice. Satan desired of Christ to worship him, and Christ referred to the scriptures which prohibited such an action.

Verse 9

The pinnacle of the temple – In Matthew this is identified with the highest point of the temple. For Luke, he wasn’t concerned as much with the exact geographical spot on the temple as he was concerned with the temptation itself.

If thou be the Son of God – Satan again tempts Jesus by trying to make Him doubt His deity.

Cast thyself down from thence – The temptation is to jump from the top of the temple. As before, this is not for an audience, or to gain attention, but to specifically tempt Christ to doubt.

Verse 10

For it is written – Satan can quote scripture too. Where the last two times he was defeated with scripture, he will now attempt to twist scripture to temp Christ the specific temptation is to force God into protecting Him – If thou be the Son of God, then He must protect you and cause you no harm when you jump.

But scripture must be properly applied. A true follower of God would not seek to force God into a position such as this, especially in the context of “a test”.

Psalms 91:11-12

“11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee,

To keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands,

Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.[4]”

Verse 12

It is said – Jesus will once again defeat satan by using the scriptures. Jesus sets forth the example of how we should deal with temptations in our life. Jesus met the devil with the sword, from the armor of God, which is the word. This is why we must continually be in the scriptures.

This is quoted from Duet 6:16

“16 Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God, as ye tempted him in Massah. [5]”

Verse 13

Ended all the temptation – This does not mean that Christ was done with satan, but that He was not being directly tempted. This foreshadows the ultimate victory Christ will have over satan, but Christ still dealt with satan indirectly throughout his ministry and death on the cross.

Verses 14-15 Jesus Ministry Begins

14 nAnd 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.[6]

Verse 14

In the power of the Spirit – Jesus was filled with the Spirit, led of the Spirit, and is in the power of the Spirit.

Galilee – This is the region that Christ will begin His ministry in.

There went about fame – It is uncertain what has caused this fame. At this point, Christ has just started beginning His ministry and is not yet recorded of performing any miracles. It is possible fame has spread regarding the events in His baptism or because it is evident that He is full of the Holy Spirit.

Verse 15

Taught in their synagogues – Luke does not mention what exactly is being taught. But Christ set’s forth a pattern that Paul later would follow. To preach first in the synagogues to the Jew, and then to the gentiles.

Being glorified of all – Early on, Christ was well received. This is literally being glorified, in the sense of praise that you would give to God alone.

Verses 16-21 Jesus Teaches in Nazareth

16 tAnd 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.[7]

Verse 16

Nazareth, where He had been brought up – Jesus now returns to His hometown of Nazareth. Luke mentions again, where He had been brought up to prepare us for verse twenty-four.

As His custom was – The Jewish people went to synagogue on the Sabbath day to worship the Lord. A practice the early church continued for some time. This is the first and oldest recording we have of a synagogue service, which included singing, readings of the law, and of the prophets.

Stood to teach – Reading took place standing up, and exposition was usually done sitting down.

Verse 17

Delivered to Him the book of Isaiah – Evidence suggest they were on a three year plan that cycled through which books would be read. The synagogue leader who invited Christ to stand a read gave Him the book of Isaiah.

He found the place where it was written – Luke has the impression that Christ specifically located this passage to read. As the dead sea scrolls have proven, it was possible to fit the entire book of Isaiah onto a single scroll.

Verse 18

The quotation from which Christ reads comes from Isaiah 61:1-2 and Isaiah 58:6, with some omissions from each of the verses. The most significant of the omissions being “And the day of vengeance of our God.” From verse 2. Luke omits that with the idea that today, the present day, is a day of salvation.

61:18-20

“ The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me;

Because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek;

He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives,

And the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,

And the day of vengeance of our God;

To comfort all that mourn;[8]”

58:6

“ Is not this the fast that I have chosen?

To loose the bands of wickedness,

To undo the heavy burdens,

And to let the oppressed go free,

And that ye break every yoke?[9]”

The spirit of the Lord anointed me – This refers to the Spirit descending like a dove in the previous chapter. This anointing was not prophetic, but messianic, because Jesus is the bringer of salvation. Luke is the only gospel to record that Jesus was anointed by the Spirit at baptism.

To preach the good news – To Luke, the good news is the gospel. Luke specifically points out that preaching to the poor, which is a recurring theme in Luke’s gospel. Luke heavily points out that God has a heart for the poor.

To proclaim freedom for the prisoners….. To release the oppressed – The word for freedom and release are the exact same word. There is a metaphorical symbolism going on here, but there is a literal element as well – such as the exorcisms Christ proclaimed, as well as healings. But this is dealing more particularly with the forgiveness of sins.

Recovery of sight for the blind – Christ has healed several blind people that we know of. However, this again has a more spiritual aspect to it, in which blind is not physical, but spiritual blindness.

Verse 19

The acceptable year of the Lord – In the last verse, we discussed the day of the Lord’s vengeance being omitted with the idea that today is a day for salvation. The acceptable year of the Lord is another way of saying the good news of the kingdom of God. But this has a deadline. It will not always be a day of salvation, for there will be a day of judgement. So, the acceptable year of the Lord refers to the era of salvation.

Verse 20

The eyes of everyone were fastened on Him – Jesus had just gotten the attention of those in the room with them. This phrasing is used positively and functions to get the attention of us, the readers, to pay attention to what Christ says next, in verse twenty-one.

Verse 21

This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears – Jesus is announcing that the scriptures are being fulfilled, starting with the anointing of the Spirit at His baptism. Today does not mean, in the last twenty-four hours it has been completed, but that it has started. Salvation is accessible to anyone who would call upon the Lord. It was expected of the religious that God’s kingdom would come someday, but Christ taught that it was actively being worked by God in the present, and not some future date.

Verses 22-30 Jesus Rejected in Nazareth

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 brow 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,[10]

Verse 22

All bare Him witness – Many commentators have interpreted that Luke used this phrase in a negative sense due to the next eight verses. However, Luke’s intention was positive, as they literally bare witness to the truth of His claims.

Wondered at – Notice that Luke mentions they were marveling at His words. They were amazed that someone from their own town, who they knew to not have received scriptural education could talk like that. What Luke does not state is also just as important. Luke does not state they took the teachings to heart.

Is this not Josephs son? – In the other accounts (Mark and John) this was a negative question. It is likely to be negative here as well.

Verse 23

Ye will surely say unto me this proverb – As in other places throughout the Bible, Jesus reads the minds of those who oppose Him. They will say unto Him “Physician, heal thyself”. The proverb is found in many forms, including a physician for others, but himself teeming with sores and physician, physician heal thine own limp – This parable, which is not explicitly spoken of them to Christ here, is found in a alternative in Luke 23:35, where they challenge Christ if He be the Son of God to remove Himself from the cross.

We have heard done in Capernaum – These events in Capernaum have not happened yet. Luke’s account is written for an orderly account, but not a chronological account. In addition, Christ invitation to read from Isaiah earlier in the chapter likely took place sometime later chronologically. This desire to have Him perform in Nazareth what He did in Capernaum is to prove what they have heard. They have heard of His fame, but they have not believed.

Verse 24

And He said – the proper and literal translation should read “but He said”, because this was not an addition to what He has spoken, but a rebuttal from the thoughts He knows they are thinking.

Verily – Meaning, I tell you the truth. These words were usually added at the end of a statement to verify the truthfulness of it – Christ usually spoke them prior to speaking something significant to stress what He was about to say.

No prophet is accepted in his own country - As Leon Morris said, “People are always more ready to see greatness in strangers than in those they know well.” We find the same today, which is why most people do not easily reach their own families. Those who know you best are the last to accept what you do or teach.

Verse 25

But I tell you of a truth – The same with verily used in the last verse, this is to stress the words which Christ will speak next.

Many widows of Israel – At the time, there were many widowed women who lived in Israel

In the days of Elias – This is the prophets Elijah and Elisha – The next statement will give us the context by what we identify who Elias is. Luke has a special interest in Elijah and we find several clear references to the prophet throughout the gospel. This may perhaps link to the nature of Elijah and Elisha’s ministry to the gentiles.

Three and a half years – In the 1 kings account, it was stated as a three year period. It is perhaps that Luke was perhaps using the phrase as a time of distress and not being exact, or perhaps the 1 Kings account rounded down and Luke is rounding up.

Great famine – In the 1 Kings 17-18 account, Elijah withheld the rain for three years until Israel would repent and follow God.

Verse 26

Yet Elijah was not sent – God did not send His prophet to the widows of Israel. Instead, God sent His servant to a widowed women in Sarepta, a City of Sidon, where a gentile women took care of Him. This was the women who was making a cake for her and her son to eat and die, and the flour and oil was blessed to never run out until the famine had ended.

Verse 27

Many lepers in Elishas time – Just as there had been many widows, there were also many lepers. Now Luke transitions from Elijahs ministry to Elishas ministry.

None of them were cleansed – Again, of the people of Israel was the prophet not sent to. This famine was a period of judgement because they have turned on God. Instead…

Save Naaman the Syrian - Another gentile, who was a military general (specifically called the Captain of the army of the king of Aram (Syria)). This account is found in 2 Kings 5:1-14

Verse 28

Ironically, as with in other verses throughout the gospels, and the book of Acts, it is the dealing with gentiles that pushes the Israelites over the edge. This was too much for them, and they were then filled with wrath.

Verse 29

Took Him to the brow of the hill – It is unclear exactly where Luke is discussing here because there are no cliffs around the area of Nazareth. He may be alluding to the martyrdom of Stephan or making a general statement to the customary practice of throwing a person down from a great height before stoning them.

To throw Him down – From the very beginning of Christs ministry, the devil was trying to remove Him. These acts of aggressions continue on until the cross and then continue to those of the early church.

This first insult came from those of His own house (Nazareth)

Verse 30

It is not explained by Luke how Christ escaped, but this is evidently in a miraculous way that only God could accomplish. This alludes to the fact that satan could not touch Christ until the hour of His time has come.

[1] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Lk 4:1–13). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[2] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Dt 8:3). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[3] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Dt 6:13). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[4] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ps 91:11–12). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[5] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Dt 6:16). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[6] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Lk 4:14–15). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[7] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Lk 4:16–21). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[8] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Is 61). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[9] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Is 58:6). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[10] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Lk 4:22–30). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.