Luke 4

Jesus tempted in the wilderness

And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Luke 4:1–2

Jesus fasts forty days and faces the devil's temptations. He was tempted in every way we are, yet did not sin — so He can help us in our temptations.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 4:1-2 — Matthew's account of the forty-day fast and temptation.
• interpreted by Hebrews 4:15 — In all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
• typified by Exodus 34:28 — Moses fasted forty days and nights with the LORD, eating no bread.

Son of God

And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. Luke 4:3

Right after the Father declared 'Thou art my beloved Son,' Satan attacks that identity with 'If.' Even the devil's words acknowledge the title.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Luke 3:22 — The Father's declaration that Satan challenges.

Jesus answers with scripture

And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. Luke 4:4

Jesus answers temptation with scripture from Deuteronomy, the lesson Israel learned from the manna. He shows us how to resist Satan.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Deuteronomy 8:3 — Man doth not live by bread only.
• a parallel account in Matthew 4:4 — Same reply.

Jesus rebukes Satan

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. Luke 4:8

Offered all the kingdoms of the world, Jesus commands Satan to leave and chooses to worship only God. He would receive His kingdom only through obedience to the Father.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Deuteronomy 6:13 — Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him.
• a parallel account in Matthew 4:10 — Same rebuke.

Son of God

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: Luke 4:9–11

Satan again challenges His Sonship and twists a psalm of protection. The devil knows the scriptures speak of Him but uses them to tempt.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Psalms 91:11-12 — He shall give his angels charge over thee.
• a parallel account in Matthew 4:6 — Same temptation.

Jesus answers with scripture

And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Luke 4:12

Jesus refuses to test God by forcing a miracle. There is a quiet irony: the one being tempted is Himself the Lord God of Israel in the flesh.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Deuteronomy 6:16 — Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God.
• a parallel account in Matthew 4:7 — Same reply.

Ministry in Galilee

And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. Luke 4:14–15

After overcoming temptation, Jesus begins His public ministry filled with the Spirit's power, teaching in the synagogues.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him

The Anointed One

Messiah — the Anointed One ('he hath anointed me')

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, Luke 4:18–19

Jesus chooses Isaiah's prophecy of the One anointed by the Spirit to heal, free, and give sight. 'Anointed' is exactly what Messiah and Christ mean, and the 'acceptable year' recalls the jubilee when captives were freed.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Isaiah 61:1-2 — The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me.
• alludes to Leviticus 25:10 — The jubilee year of liberty, a type of His deliverance.

Messiah declared

And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. Luke 4:21

In His hometown Jesus openly declares that He is the Anointed One Isaiah described. It is one of His plainest early claims to be the Messiah.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Isaiah 61:1-2 — Jesus declares the prophecy fulfilled in Himself.

Rejected at 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? Luke 4:22–30

His own town sees only 'Joseph's son' and tries to kill Him. It foreshadows how His own people would reject Him, though His hour had not yet come.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils John 1:11 — He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
• a parallel account in Mark 6:1-4 — A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country.

Teaching with power

And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days. Luke 4:31–32

In Capernaum people are astonished because Jesus teaches with power and authority of His own.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

Holy One of God

Holy One of God — the One set apart and perfectly holy, belonging wholly to God

Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God. Luke 4:34–36

Even an evil spirit recognizes Jesus and names Him the Holy One of God. Jesus silences it and casts it out with a word, showing His authority over the powers of darkness.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 1:24 — I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
• alludes to Psalms 16:10 — Neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Healer

And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. Luke 4:38–40

Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law and then lays His hands on every sick person brought to Him, one by one. Matthew says this fulfilled Isaiah's word that He would bear our sicknesses.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Mark 1:29-34 — Same evening of healings.
• fulfils Isaiah 53:4 — Surely he hath borne our griefs (applied to these healings in Matthew 8:17).

Christ the Son of God

Christ — the Anointed One

And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ. Luke 4:41

Devils cry out that He is the Christ, the Son of God, and Luke confirms 'they knew that he was Christ.' Jesus will not accept testimony from evil spirits.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 1:34 — He suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.
• the same title in Matthew 16:16 — Peter's true confession: Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Sent by the Father

And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. Luke 4:43–44

Jesus explains He was sent by the Father to preach the kingdom of God everywhere, not to stay where He is popular.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 1:38 — That I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.