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

CHAPTER FOUR:
WILDERNESS TESTS THE NAZARETH TO CAPERNAUM

[“Satanic Tests and Nazarene Anger”]
Key word: Nazarene

Luke 4:1-13 – Tempted by the Devil

|| Matthew 4:1-11;[1] Mark 1:12, 13[2]

LK4:1 Now, Jesus full of holy Pneuma, returning from the Jordan, was guided by the Pneuma into the desert, LK4:2 and throughout forty days he was tempted[3] by the Devil. During those days Jesus had nothing to eat and so at the end he was hungry. LK4:3 So the Devil said to him: “If you are a son of God tell this rock to become a loaf of bread.” LK4:4 Jesus told the Devil: “It is written: ‘Humans do not live on bread alone.’” [Deuteronomy 8:3] LK4:5 And then the Devil took Jesus and showed him in just a moment of time all the kingdoms of the inhabited earth. LK4:6 The Devil told Jesus: “I will give you all of this authority and their glory as it has been given to me and I may give it to anyone I want. LK4:7 So it will all be yours[4] if you bow down before me.” LK4:8 But, Jesus answered him: “It is written: ‘YHWH your God you shall bow down before and Him alone shall you worship.’” [Deuteronomy 6:13] LK4:9 So then the Devil led Jesus to Jerusalem and placed him upon the highest point of the temple area and told him: “If you are a son of God jump off, LK4:10 for it is written: ‘He will give His angels commands regarding you to protect you.’ [Psalm 91:11] LK4:11 And also: ‘They will carry you in their hands lest you strike your foot on a rock.’” [Psalm 91:12] LK4:12 But Jesus responded to the Devil: “It is written: ‘You shall not put YHWH your God to the test.’” [Deuteronomy 6:16] LK4:13 Now after the Devil had finished all his temptation he left Jesus until another opportune moment.[5]

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[1] Matthew 4:1-11: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] Mark 1:12, 13: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Mark.

[3] Throughout forty days he was tempted: The temptation of Christ covered a forty-day period. We are only told about three of the temptations near the end.

[4] It will all be yours: At his parousia, the “kingdom of the world” becomes that of Christ anyway. [Revelation 11:15; Psalm 2:8; Daniel 2:44; 7:13, 27]

[5] Until another opportune moment: Or, NEB: biding his time; RHM: a fitting season; RIE: until a fresh occasion should present itself. This is unique to Luke. It indicates the Devil did not give up on Jesus but continued to tempt him at other times.

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Preceding

Luke 3 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 3 – Review Questions on Chapter Three

Mark 10 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 10:35-40 – Nespotism and Baptism

Mark 10:35-40 – Nespotism and Baptism

|| Matthew 20:20-23[1]

MK10:35 Now later James and John,[2] the sons of Zebedee, approached Jesus, asking: “Teacher, we want you to do whatever we wish to ask you.” MK10:36 So Jesus said to them: “What do you want me to do for you?” MK10:37 Then they said to Jesus: “Give us permission to sit, one on your right hand and one on your left hand, during your glory.”[3] MK10:38 However, Jesus responded: “You have no idea what you ask! Are you willing to drink the cup[4] I will drink? Are you willing to be baptized in my baptism?”[5] MK10:39 Then [James and John] said: “We can!” But, Jesus told them: “You shall for a certainty drink from my cup,[6] and you will be baptized in my own baptism. MK10:40 However, this sitting on my right or left hand is not mine to grant, but will be granted to those to whom it has been prepared.”[7]

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[1] Matthew 20:20-23: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] James and John: Two of the three Jesus took into the mountain of transfiguration. In other accounts it is the mother of these two brothers who makes this request, though likely prompted by them.

[3] During your glory: Though likely not understanding the full meaning of these words, they probably refer to his Return or Parousia and the subsequent rule and judgment. Compare notes on Matthew 25:31-46.

[4] Cup: Compare notes on Matthew 20:22; Luke 12:50; John 18:11; Romans 6:3.

[5] Baptism: Both the cup and baptism are symbols for a life of self-sacrifice with the possibility of martyrdom.

[6] You shall for a certainty drink from my cup: James was martyred as the record in Acts shows. John lived a long life of self-sacrifice dying at about the age of 100.

[7] Those to whom it has been prepared: It would appear that such places will be assigned. It is possible these would turn out to be Peter and John.

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Preceding

Matthew 20:20-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: A Selfish Request Rejected

Mark 10 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 10:1-12 – Pharisees Debate About Divorce

Mark 10 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 10:13-16 – Kingdom Belongs to Child-like

Mark 10 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 10:17-22 – Sell and Give to Poor

Mark 10 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 10:23-31 – The Difficulty of Money

Mark 10 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 10:32-34 – Predicts His Suffering

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4. Sons of Thunder
5. Jesus said to the sons of Zebedee – what do you want me to do for you
6. Morning Prayer for Friday October 15

Mark 8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 8:34-38 – Disown Self and Follow Constantly

Mark 8:34-38 – Disown Self and Follow Constantly

|| Matthew 16:24-28;[1] Luke 9:23-27

MK8:34 Now after he assembled the crowd, as well as his disciples, he said to them all: “Whoever wants to follow me must first renounce self,[2] and then shouldering a stake,[3] follow me. MK8:35 For whoever tries to preserve the soul will lose it. But, whoever loses the soul in my behalf and the Good News, the same person will preserve it. MK8:36 For what does it profit a person if the whole world is gained but the soul lost? MK8:37 Or, what would a person ever give in exchange for the soul?[4] [Psalm 49:8] MK8:38 So then, whoever is ashamed of me and my teachings among this adulterous and sinful generation the Son of Humankind [Daniel 7:13] will be ashamed when he returns in the glory of his Father[5] [Daniel 7:22] with the holy angels.”[6] [Zechariah 14:5]

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[1] Matthew 16:24-28: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] First renounce self: Or, KJV: deny himself; WMS: say ‘No’ to self; PME: give up all right to himself.

[3] Stake: Or, cross. See notes elsewhere on STAUROO.

[4] Give in exchange for the soul: Possibly an echo of Psalm 49:8.

[5] When he ‘returns in the glory of his Father’: Or, comes, arrives. The Greek ELTHE means arrive and may imply “return.” The same word appears in the 3^rd Century BC Jewish Greek version of Daniel 7:22 which foretells the advent of Messiah in his Parousia as his Father’s representative.

[6] With the holy angels: Possibly an echo of Zechariah 14:5.

 

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Preceding

Mark 8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 8:1-9 – 4000 Fed

Mark 8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 8:10-13 – Pharisees Seek Sign

Mark 8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 8:14-21 – Warning About Doctrinal Leaven

Mark 8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 8:22-26 – A Blind Man in Bethsaida

Mark 8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 8:27-33 – Death Foretold in Caesarea

Mark 8:27-29 Simon Peter said Jesus is the Messiah,the Son of The Living God!

Matthew 16:24-28 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: A Disciple Must Disown Self

Demanding signs or denying yourself

To follow Christ

Matthew 28 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Risen Christ appears #6 Matthew 28:16-19 – The King’s Commission

Matthew 28:16-19 – The King’s Commission

MT28:16 Now the eleven disciples traveled to Galilee to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them.[1] MT28:17 When they saw Jesus they bowed to the ground before him[2] but some doubted. MT28:18 Upon approaching Jesus he said to them, “All authority[3] in heaven and upon earth was given to me. MT28:19 Therefore, go your ways and make disciples[4] of all the nations, baptizing persons in the name of[5] the Father, the Son and the holy Pneuma. MT28:20 Teach them to observe everything I commanded you.[6] And, look! I am with you[7] [apostles] until the consummation of the Age.”[8] [Daniel 9:26, 27]

THE END OF THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

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[1] To meet them: Compare the additional information in the gospel of Luke 24:12-49 and John 20:1-21:19.

“Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.” (Lu 24:12 NIV)

“1  Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” 3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes, 11  but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. 13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realise that it was Jesus. 15 “Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned towards him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. 19  On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” 24 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” 26  A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. 21:1  Afterwards Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way:” (Joh 20:1-21:1 NIV)

[2] They bowed to the ground before him: The Greek is PROSEKUNESAN (to bow before and kiss).

[3] All authority: Note this celestial and terrestrial authority has been given the Risen Lord. It is not something he possessed before. Compare Ephesians 1:20-22.

[4] Go your ways and make disciples: These instructions are directed to the eleven apostles.

[5] In the name of: This was never a formula used by these apostles in their baptizing. The recorded Acts shows they always baptized “in the name of Jesus.” Therefore, this pronouncement is likely more of an authorization or commission upon the apostles. Regarding so-called triune formulas research the phrase.

[6] Teach them to observe everything I commanded you: It seems this suggest preliminary instruction before a person is baptized. A Christian should at least know the “commandments” of Jesus. Indeed, the Friends of the Nazarene are those who observe his commandments (John 15:14).

[7] I am with you: These words are directed to his eleven apostles not necessarily a statement to all disciples throughout all time. See notes on Matthew 18:20.

[8] Until the consummation of the Age: The Greek is TES SYNTELEIAS TOU AIONOS. Judging from Matthew 24:3 (Daniel 9:26, 27) and Hebrews 9:26, 27 Jesus means the Jewish Temple Age which ended in 70 CE (1 Corinthians 10:11; Hebrews 1:2). Research last days. Or, KJV: the end of the world; RHM: conclusion of the age; RIEU: to the end of time; WEY: until the close of the Age. This does not mean the King has abandoned his disciples throughout the Gospel Age until the consummation of the Age at his Parousia and the angelic Harvest (see notes on Matthew 13:40).

Luke 24:45-49 adds, “Then he opened up their minds fully to grasp the meaning of the Scriptures, and he said to them: ‘In this way it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from among the dead on the third day, and on the basis of his name repentance for forgiveness of sins would be preached in all the nations-starting out from Jerusalem, you (apostles) are to be witnesses of these things. And, look! I am sending forth upon you (apostles) that which is promised by my Father. You (apostles), though, abide in the city until you (apostles) become clothed with power from on high.’” (NW)

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Preceding

Matthew 28 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Risen Christ appears #1 Matthew 28:1 – Two Marys Visit the Grave

Matthew 28 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Risen Christ appears #2 Matthew 28:2-4 – An Angel Rolled Away the Stone

Matthew 28 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Risen Christ appears #3 Matthew 28:5-7 – “Jesus Was Raised Up!”

Matthew 28 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Risen Christ appears #4 Matthew 28:8-10 – The Two Marys Met by the Risen Christ

Matthew 28 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Risen Christ appears #5 Matthew 28:11-15 – The False Report the Body Was Stolen

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #13 Matthew 26:59-68 – False Witnesses and the Charge of Blasphemy

Matthew 26:59-68 – False Witnesses and the Charge of Blasphemy

|| Mark 14:55-65; Luke 22:63-71

MT26:59 But the religious hierarchy[1] and the entire Sanhedrin Court[2] were seeking false testimony against Jesus[3] so that they might execute him. MT26:60 They discovered none who would come forward as pseudo evidentiary.[4] But at last two ‘witnesses’ came forward. MT26:61 One person claimed, “[Jesus] said, ‘I can tear down this Sanctuary[5] of The God and within three days reconstruct[6] it.’” MT26:62 Now the chief priest Caiaphas rose and said to Jesus, “Have you no answer? What about these testimonies against you?” MT26:63 However, Jesus remained silent.[7] Then the chief priest Caiaphas told Jesus, “I put you under oath down here before the Living God[8] so that you should tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of The God.”[9] MT26:64 Jesus said to the priest, “You said it.[10] Yet I tell all of you: In the future[11] all of you will see the Son of Humankind sitting on the right-hand[12] of the Power and returning[13] upon the clouds of the sky.” [Daniel 7:13; Psalm 110:1] MT26:65 At that the chief priest Caiaphas ripped his outer garments, screaming, “He blasphemed![14] Why do we need witnesses? See, you just heard the blasphemy! MT26:66 How does it seem to you?” But, these answered, ‘He is liable to death!’ MT26:67 Then they all spit into his face and hit him with their fists. Others slapped Jesus, MT26:68 asking, “Prophesy[15] to us, ‘Messiah’! Who just slapped you?”

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[1] Religious hierarchy: The Greek is HARCHIEREIS from which “hierarchy” comes.

[2] Sanhedrin Court: Or, BECK: the whole Jewish court. Research Sanhedrin for notes elsewhere.

[3] Seeking false testimony against Jesus: Or, RIEU: were casting about for evidence against Jesus; NEB: some allegation against Jesus on which a death-sentence could be based.

[4] Pseudo evidentiary: The Greek is PSEUDO-MARTYRON. Or, KJV: false witnesses. Mark 14:59 adds, “But neither on these grounds was their testimony in agreement.”

[5] Sanctuary: The Greek is NAON a Divine Habitat and refers to the inner shrine of the Temple. Research temple or NAOS. Or, KJV: temple; RHM: shrine; GDSP: sanctuary.

[6] Reconstruct: Or, RIEU: build it. This charge is taken from John 2:19.

[7] Jesus remained silent: In fulfillment of Isaiah 53:7.

[8] I put you under oath down here before the Living God: This is the adjuration formula inferred in Leviticus 5:1. Or, KJV: I adjure you; RHM: I put thee on oath; NEB: I charge you.

[9] The Messiah, the Son of The God: The high priest has in mind Psalm 2:1, 7 and whether Jesus claims to be the Anointed One of that Psalm. Peter quotes this Psalm at Acts 4:24-26 and Paul refers to it in a Jewish synagogue (Acts 13:33-35).

[10] You said it: A Hebraism meaning “Yes.” In English it remains a positive statement to this day. Or, KNX: your own lips have said it; MON: I am he; GDSP: it is true. And, thus the response from the priest.

[11] In the future: Or, RIEU: the time has come; NEB: from now one, you will see; BER: shortly you shall see; MOF: in the future you will all see. It is possibly a Hebraism which means, “You will live to see…” or, “you will still be alive when such and such is fulfilled.”

[12] The Son of Humankind sitting on the right-hand: This is a conflate or compound paraphrase of Daniel 7:13 and Psalm 110:1 – a combination which appears several times. Note Daniel 7:13 refers to the ascension to heaven of “a son of man” and is seen from Daniel’s heavenly perspective (Daniel 7:15).

[13] Returning: The Greek word in both Daniel 7:13 (LXX) and here is a form of ERCHOMENON which may meaning coming, leaving, returning. It is virtually a synonym for PAROUSIA judging from the uses in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. It seems to some that it is possible Jesus is referring to his foretold ascension to heaven as Daniel 7:13 predicts. On these details see commentaries in Nazarene Apocalypse© under Daniel 7:13 or ERCHOMENON (Parousia). Compare the parallel readings at Mark 14:62 and Luke 22:69. See how this was fulfilled in Acts 7:54-57 and note who was present then (John 6:62; Acts 1:9-11).

[14] He blasphemed: The priest realizes the answer of Jesus is, “Yes.”

[15] Prophesy: Note that the word PROPHETEUSON may be used in a broader since of speaking rather than just predicting something. Mark 14:65 adds, “… to spit on him and to cover his whole face and hit him with their fists.” Luke 22:65 adds, “And they went on saying many other things in blasphemy against him.”

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Preceding

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #1 Matthew 26:1-2 – Two Days Before Execution

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #2 Matthew 26:3-5 – Plotting to Seize Jesus

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #3 Matthew 26:6-13 – A Woman to Be Remembered

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #4 Matthew 26:14-16 – The Price of Betrayal

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #5 Matthew 26:17-19 – Passover Preparations

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #6 Matthew 26:20-25 – The Last Passover

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #7 Matthew 26:26-30 – Keep Doing This in My Memory

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #8 Matthew 26:31-35 – How All Will Be Stumbled This Night

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #9 Matthew 26:36-39 – Garden Prayer

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #10 Matthew 26:40-47 – Two More Prayers for the Cup to Pass

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #11 Matthew 26:48-56 – Betrayal by Judas and Arrest of Jesus

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #12 Matthew 26:57-58 – To Caiaphas