Read the Passage: Luke 4:23–44

Identity Rejected (4:23–30)

From John 2:12, we know that very early in His public ministry, Jesus was serving in and around the city of Capernaum. Yet, none of the gospel writers record many details about Christ’s ministry in Capernaum (cf. John 4:46–54). Whatever His ministry here may have entailed, Luke observes “news of Jesus went out through the surrounding region” (Luke 4:14). Thus, when Jesus “came to Nazareth” (Luke 4:16), reports about His ministry activities were already well-known. So, when Christ declared that He was fulfilling Isa. 61:1–2, the people had context to grasp His claim. Indeed, Jesus knew the people wanted Him to do the miracles “we have heard done in Capernaum” (Luke 4:23). In Luke 4:24–27, however, Christ’s reply is somewhat unexpected, as here Jesus refers to the provision of food for the widow of Zarephath (cf. 1 Ki. 17:8–24) and the healing of Naaman the Syrian (cf. 2 Ki. 5:1–19).

In appealing to these somewhat obscure Old Testament examples, Jesus was implying at least two things. First, note that both the widow of Zarephath—for whom God supplied food, via Elijah—and Naaman the Syrian—to whom God provided healing, via Elisha—were Gentiles. Christ, then, was indicating that His ministry would include Gentiles. Second, the era during which God performed the miracles for the widow of Zarephath and for Naaman were spiritual low points in the history of Israel. With this teaching, then, Jesus was recognizing there was little faith among those in the synagogue (cf. Mark 6:1–6). These two implications were not lost upon Christ’s hearers, for “when they heard these things, [they] were filled with wrath” (Luke 4:28). Subsequently, the crowd thrust Jesus out of the synagogue, they led Him to a cliff, and they intended to throw Him off the cliff. Miraculously, however, Jesus walked away unnoticed.

Demons Expelled (4:31–37)

Jesus performed 37 separate miracles in the Gospels, 22 of which are recorded by Luke. In summary, Christ’s miracles displayed His control over nature, His ability to heal, His authority over the spirit world, as well as His victory over death itself. Given that Luke was a physician, it is not surprising that 12 of the 22 miracles he records are healing miracles. Yet, here in the passage at hand, Luke records the restoration of a demon-possessed man. In short, Luke 4:31–32 reports Jesus made the twenty-mile trip from Nazareth to Capernaum, and He began teaching on the Sabbaths. Christ’s teaching astonished the crowds, for He taught as One having authority. As Jesus taught in the synagogue, Luke writes that He was confronted by a demon-possessed man. Luke 4:34 records that the demons knew that Jesus was the Son of God, as well as the fact that their own future is one of eternal destruction.

As was the case with the demon-possessed man in region of the Gadarenes (cf. Matt. 8:28–34), so here with the man in the Capernaum synagogue, the demons clearly knew Jesus’ identity as the Holy One of God. As James would later write, “Even the demons believe, and tremble” (Jas. 2:19). Here in Luke 4:35, Jesus rebuked the demon and commanded it to leave the man. While the demon did throw the man on the ground, “It came out of him and did not hurt him” (Luke 4:35). Christ’s deliverance of this man amazed the crowd and they declared, “What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out” (Luke 4:36). Observe, however, that there is no indication in the text that either the formerly demon-possessed man or the crowds came to faith in Christ. Rather, the passage merely says that news of Jesus spread in the region.

Ministry Performed (4:38–44)

In the closing verses of this chapter Luke summarizes certain aspects of Jesus’ Galilean ministry. This included the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law (cf. Luke 4:38–39), the healing of many who were sick (cf. Luke 4:40), the casting out of demons (cf. Luke 4:41), and Christ’s continued preaching throughout the region of Galilee (cf. Luke 4:42–44). Observe that as was the case earlier with the Capernaum demoniac, so the demons Luke mentions here knew Jesus’ identity; yet, He did not allow them to speak (cf. Luke 4:41). Luke 4:42–44 gives some insight as to why Christ sometimes instructed that His healing miracles be kept secret—that is, miraculous signs would attract crowds, which ironically could hinder Jesus’ “preach[ing] the kingdom of God” (Luke 4:43). Note that Jesus never instructed his hearers to keep quiet about His message concerning the Kingdom of God.

Application Questions:

1. Why did Jesus perform miracles? How many miracles did Jesus perform? Can miracles produce faith in a lost person?
2. How can we explain Jesus’ miraculous escape from the angry mob as is recorded in Luke 4:30 (cf. John 7:30; 8:59; 10:39)?
3. Why did Jesus often instruct those whom He healed to keep quiet, as well as commanding the demons to not reveal His identity?
4. What is the significance of the fact that this demon-possessed man was in the Capernaum synagogue?
5. Why do many people place a high-value on the miraculous, and a low-value on the reading and teaching of Scripture?