Luke4
English Standard Version
1 , of the , the was the the
2for , the . he . when were , he was .
3The to , you the of , .
4 , It is , .
5 the and the of the a of ,
6 to , To I will , it has been to , I I .
7 , then, , it .
8 , It is , You shall the , shall you .
9 he the of the to , you the of , from ,
10 it is , He will , to ,
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14 the of the , and a the .
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21 he to , has .
22 of the were . they , ?
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24 he , , I to , his .
25 , I , there the of , the were , a over the ,
26 of but , in the land of , a who was a .
27 there in the the Elisha, of was , but the .
28When these , all the were with .
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30 their , he .
31 he went , a of . he was the ,
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33 the there a who the of an , he with a ,
34 ! have to do with , of ? Have to ? I you — the of .
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39 he and the , it , she and .
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41 , , the of ! he them and would to , they that the .
42 when it , he and a . the , and would have from ,
43 he , preach the of the of to the as ; I was for this .
44 he was the of .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Luke 4.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The temptation of Christ. (1–13). Christ in the synagogue of Nazareth. (14–30). He casts out an unclean spirit and heals the sick. (31–44).
vv1-13
Christ's being led into the wilderness gave an advantage to the tempter; for there he was alone, none were with him by whose prayers and advice he might be helped in the hour of temptation. He who knew his own strength might give Satan advantage; but we may not, who know our own weakness. Being in all things made like unto his brethren, Jesus would, like the other children of God, live in dependence upon the Divine Providence and promise. The word of God is our sword, and faith in that word is our shield. God has many ways of providing for his people, and therefore is at all times to be depended upon in the way of duty. All Satan's promises are deceitful; and if he is permitted to have any influence in disposing of the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, he uses them as baits to insnare men to destruction. We should reject at once and with abhorrence, every opportunity of sinful gain or advancement, as a price offered for our souls; we should seek riches, honours, and happiness in the worship and service of God only. Christ will not worship Satan; nor, when he has the kingdoms of the world delivered to him by his Father, will he suffer any remains of the worship of the devil to continue in them. Satan also tempted Jesus to be his own murderer, by unfitting confidence in his Father's protection, such as he had no warrant for. Let not any abuse of Scripture by Satan or by men abate our esteem, or cause us to abandon its use; but let us study it still, seek to know it, and seek our defence from it in all kinds of assaults. Let this word dwell richly in us, for it is our life. Our victorious Redeemer conquered, not for himself only, but for us also. The devil ended all the temptation. Christ let him try all his force, and defeated him. Satan saw it was to no purpose to attack Christ, who had nothing in him for his fiery darts to fasten upon. And if we resist the devil, he will flee from us. Yet he departed but till the season when he was again to be let loose upon Jesus, not as a tempter, to draw him to sin, and so to strike at his head, at which he now aimed and was wholly defeated in; but as a persecutor, to bring Christ to suffer, and so to bruise his heel, which it was told him, he should have to do, and would do, though it would be the breaking of his own head, Ge 3:15. Though Satan depart for a season, we shall never be out of his reach till removed from this present evil world.
vv14-30
Christ taught in their synagogues, their places of public worship, where they met to read, expound, and apply the word, to pray and praise. All the gifts and graces of the Spirit were upon him and on him, without measure. By Christ, sinners may be loosed from the bonds of guilt, and by his Spirit and grace from the bondage of corruption. He came by the word of his gospel, to bring light to those that sat in the dark, and by the power of his grace, to give sight to those that were blind. And he preached the acceptable year of the Lord. Let sinners attend to the Saviour's invitation when liberty is thus proclaimed. Christ's name was Wonderful; in nothing was he more so than in the word of his grace, and the power that went along with it. We may well wonder that he should speak such words of grace to such graceless wretches as mankind. Some prejudice often furnishes an objection against the humbling doctrine of the cross; and while it is the word of God that stirs up men's enmity, they will blame the conduct or manner of the speaker. The doctrine of God's sovereignty, his right to do his will, provokes proud men. They will not seek his favour in his own way; and are angry when others have the favours they neglect. Still is Jesus rejected by multitudes who hear the same message from his words. While they crucify him afresh by their sins, may we honour him as the Son of God, the Saviour of men, and seek to show we do so by our obedience.
vv31-44
Christ's preaching much affected the people; and a working power went with it to the consciences of men. These miracles showed Christ to be a controller and conqueror of Satan, a healer of diseases. Where Christ gives a new life, in recovery from sickness, it should be a new life, spent more than ever in his service, to his glory. Our business should be to spread abroad Christ's fame in every place, to beseech him in behalf of those diseased in body or mind, and to use our influence in bringing sinners to him, that his hands may be laid upon them for their healing. He cast the devils out of many who were possessed. We were not sent into this world to live to ourselves only, but to glorify God, and to do good in our generation. The people sought him, and came unto him. A desert is no desert, if we are with Christ there. He will continue with us, by his word and Spirit, and extend the same blessings to other nations, till, throughout the earth, the servants and worshippers of Satan are brought to acknowledge him as the Christ, the Son of God, and to find redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.
Key Words
δέ (dé): but, and, etc.
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs): Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
πλήρης (plḗrēs): replete, or covered over; by analogy, complete
ἅγιος (hágios): sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
πνεῦμα (pneûma): a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit
ὑποστρέφω (hypostréphō): to turn under (behind), i.e. to return (literally or figuratively)
ἀπό (apó): "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
Ἰορδάνης (Iordánēs): the Jordanes (i.e. Jarden), a river of Palestine
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἄγω (ágō): properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce
Cross References
Luke 4Jesus quotes this verse to defeat Satan's first temptation to turn stones into bread.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Jesus quotes this command to worship God alone, soundly rejecting Satan's offer of the kingdoms.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Satan quotes and misapplies this promise of angelic protection to tempt Jesus to presumption.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Jesus quotes this command to rebuff Satan's invitation to test God's protection by jumping.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Jesus directly reads and quotes this passage as His prophetic manifesto, which is explicitly fulfilled in Him.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Jesus cites Elijah being sent exclusively to the Gentile widow of Zarephath, prefiguring His own ministry.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Jesus cites Elisha cleansing Naaman the Syrian to illustrate God's sovereign favor extending to Gentiles.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Jesus is led as one 'full of the Holy Ghost,' whom God gives without measure.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Jesus' forty-day fast typologically mirrors Moses' forty-day fast on Mount Sinai before giving the Law.
Supported by John Calvin
Satan's departure 'for a season' points forward to the bruising of Christ's heel at the Passion.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Peter's sermon echoes Luke 4:18, summarizing Jesus' ministry as being anointed with the Holy Ghost.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The 'acceptable year of the Lord' directly alludes to the liberty proclaimed during the Jubilee.
Supported by JFB
The crowd wonders at Jesus' 'gracious words,' fulfilling the Messianic prophecy of grace poured into His lips.
Supported by JFB
Parallel proverb regarding a prophet having no honor or acceptance among his own countrymen.
Supported by JFB
Parallel escape where Jesus miraculously passes through a hostile crowd attempting to kill Him.
Supported by Matthew Henry