Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Review Questions on Chapter Four

Review Questions on Chapter Four

• Describe Christ’s temptation by the Devil.
• What happened to Jesus in his own hometown?
• What cures did Jesus perform in Capernaum?
• What was the central theme of Christ’s preaching?

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Preceding

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:1-13 – Tempted by the Devil

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:14-15 – Good Reports as Jesus Taught

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:16-21 – In His Hometown Synagogue

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:22-30 – From Approval to Rage

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:31-37 – In Capernaum a Demon Exorcised

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:38-41 – More Miracles by Jesus

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:42-44 – From Lonely Places Back to Preaching

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:42-44 – From Lonely Places Back to Preaching

Luke 4:42-44 – From Lonely Places Back to Preaching

LK4:42 Now when day dawned Jesus left for a private spot. So the crowds continued to look for him and when they found him they tried to prevent him from leaving them. LK4:43 Because of this Jesus told them: “It is necessary that I must also preach to other towns about the kingdom of The God,[1] for this is the reason I was sent.” LK4:44 And so Jesus continued to preach in the synagogues of Judea.

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[1] The kingdom of The God: The central theme of Christ’s message. The key word “kingdom” occurs 55 times in Matthew, 23 times in Mark, 45 times in Luke, and 5 times in John. The term may refer to a] the Realm of the King, that is, the Church; and, b] the seat of government under the sovereignty of God.

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Preceding

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:1-13 – Tempted by the Devil

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:14-15 – Good Reports as Jesus Taught

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:16-21 – In His Hometown Synagogue

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:22-30 – From Approval to Rage

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:31-37 – In Capernaum a Demon Exorcised

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:38-41 – More Miracles by Jesus

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:38-41 – More Miracles by Jesus

Luke 4:38-41 – More Miracles by Jesus

|| Matthew 8:14-17;[1] Mark 1:29-34, 35-39[2]

LK4:38 After leaving the synagogue Jesus entered into the house of Simon [Peter] whose mother-in-law was suffering with a great fever.[3] And so they all asked Jesus about her. LK4:39 Then standing over her, Jesus rebuked the fever and it left her instantly. And afterward she rose and began to wait on them all. LK4:40 Now at sunset everyone who had sick among them with a variety of illnesses brought them to Jesus. And he would lay his hands upon every one, curing them. LK4:41 Also, many demons were exorcised, screaming: “You are God’s Son!”[4] [Psalm 2:7] But, Jesus rebuked them and forbid them to speak because they realized he was the Christ. [Psalm 2:2; Daniel 9:25]

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[1] Matthew 8:14-17: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] Mark 1:29-34, 35-39: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Mark.

[3] A great fever: Only doctor Luke mentions the degree of the fever.

[4] You are God’s Son: God’s Son and Christ are synonymous. It is possible this is an allusion to Christ’s pre-existence.

 

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Preceding

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:1-13 – Tempted by the Devil

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:14-15 – Good Reports as Jesus Taught

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:16-21 – In His Hometown Synagogue

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:22-30 – From Approval to Rage

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:31-37 – In Capernaum a Demon Exorcised

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:31-37 – In Capernaum a Demon Exorcised

Luke 4:31-37 – In Capernaum a Demon Exorcised

|| Matthew 7:28, 29;[1] Mark 1:21-28[2]

LK4:31 Then Jesus went down to Capernaum a town in Galilee, and there he continued teaching on the Sabbaths. LK4:32 And they were all amazed at his teaching[3] because his message was delivered with authority.[4] LK4:33 Now in the synagogue there was someone possessed by an unclean demon, and he screamed in a loud voice: LK4:34 “Ahhhhh, what is there between you and us,[5] Jesus the Nazarene? Did you come to destroy us?[6] I know who you are – the Holy One of The God!”[7] LK4:35 Then Jesus rebuked him, saying: “Shut up! Come out of him!” And after knocking him down right in the middle of them all, the demon came out of him without any harm. LK4:36 Everyone was awestruck and they began telling one another: “What is this message? For with authority and power he commands unclean demons and they come out!” LK4:37 So a report about Jesus continued to spread into every corner of the surrounding area.

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[1] Matthew 7:28, 29: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] Mark 1:21-28: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Mark.

[3] Amazed at his teaching: Or, KJV: astonished at his doctrine; RHM: struck with astonishment; MON: deeply impressed.

[4] His word was with authority: Or, KJV: his word was with power; NEB: what he said had the note of authority; RIE: his words had the ring of authority.

[5] What is there between you and us: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on this phrase compare John 2:4.

[6] Did you come to destroy us: This is a possible suggestion that the demons were aware of Christ’s pre-existence.**

[7] The Holy One of The God: Possibly a reference to the pre-existent Word. [John 1:1]

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Jesus did not have a pre-existence. He came only into life when he was born at the beginning of our era. The Word that became flesh refers to Jesus, the one spoken of in the Garden of Eden, by his birth becoming in the flesh.

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Preceding

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:1-13 – Tempted by the Devil

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:14-15 – Good Reports as Jesus Taught

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:16-21 – In His Hometown Synagogue

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:22-30 – From Approval to Rage

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:22-30 – From Approval to Rage

Luke 4:22-30 – From Approval to Rage

LK4:22 Afterward everyone spoke well of Jesus, as they were amazed at the gracefulness of the words[1] coming out of his mouth. They were all saying: “Is this not Joseph’s son?” LK4:23 So Jesus responded to them: “Without a doubt you will tell me about the parable: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’[2] And you will tell me: ‘Everything we heard you do in Capernaum do here also in your own hometown.’”[3] LK4:24 But, then Jesus said: “I tell you this truth: no prophet is welcome in his own hometown. LK4:25 Really, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah – when the sky was shut up for three years and six months, causing a great famine throughout the land – LK4:26 and Elijah was not sent to one of these widows except to that widow in Zarephath of Sidon. [1 Kings 17:9] LK4:27 Also, there were many lepers in Israel during Elisha the prophet’s time, and not one of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” [2 Kings 5:14] LK4:28 As a result all of those in the synagogue were filled with rage[4] when they heard these things. LK4:29 So they rose up and drove Jesus outside of the town to a hilltop where the village had been built intent on throwing him off. LK4:30 But Jesus went right through the middle of them and walked away.

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[1] The gracefulness of the words: Or, NEB: words of such grace; TCN: beautiful words. We must assume Christ said more than what is recorded in Luke, for such a brief reading and comment are not likely enough to arouse such a response.

[2] Physician, heal yourself: Only doctor Luke includes this proverb.

[3] Do here also in your own hometown: They are trying to direct Jesus to perform miracles in Nazareth as he did elsewhere. They want a show. The Nazarene is aware of their motives.

[4] As a result all of those in the synagogue were filled with rage: Or, filled with wrath, infuriated, enraged. Jesus has pointed out that in the cases of Elijah and Elisha only non-Jews experienced the prophets’ miracles. The intimation irritates those in Jesus’ hometown.

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Preceding

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:1-13 – Tempted by the Devil

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:14-15 – Good Reports as Jesus Taught

Luke 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 4:16-21 – In His Hometown Synagogue