Luke 4

Luke 4:1-13

We left Christ nearly baptized, and owned by a voice from heaven, and the defects of the Holy Ghost upon him. Now in this chapter we have, 1. of further preparation of him for his public ministry by his being tempted in the wilderness. 2. His entrance upon his public work in Galilee, ver. 14, 15. particularly, (1.) At Nazareth, the city where he had been fired up, ver. 15—20, which we had no account of before in Matthew. (2.) At Caporona, where, having pretended to admonition, ver. 31, 32. he cast the devil out of a man that was possessed, ver. 33—37. Cured Peter’s mother-in-law of a Jew, ver. 38, 39. And many others that were sick and possessed, ver. 40, 41. And then were and did the same in other cities of Galilee, ver. 42—44.

1. AND Jesus, being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. 2. Being forty days tempted of the devil; and in those days he did eat nothing; and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. 3. And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. 4. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. 5. And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6. And the devil said unto him, All this power will give thee, and the glory of them; for that is delivered unto me, and to whomsoever I will give it. 7. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. 8. 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. 9. 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 thylèlf down from hence. 10. For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee. 11. And in their hands they shall bear thee up, left at any time thou daft thy foot against a stone. 12. And Jesus, answering, said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 13. And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a feafion.

As the great enemy of souls had failed the first man in the midst of a paradise of delights, the second man, the Lord from heaven, who came to destroy the works of the devil, that he might render his victory more illustrious, gives the tempter every advantage. Though deep retired in a dreary desert, without human converse, without food, during forty days, to satisfy his hunger, he stood like a rock in the midst of the sea, defying the impotent attacks of the raging shred of darkness. Every full of the Holy Ghost, and just then mounted for his mediatorial office, and furnished with the fallants of divine grace, Satan, to his bitter shame and vexation, found him immoralable, and every attack he made but signaled his own defeat.

1. He tempted him to distrust his Father’s care, and insinuated his supplicans of the character he assumed as the Son of God; seeking to shake the faith of the Redeemer, and challenging him to give a proof of it by working so needed a miracle for his own supply. But Jesus refused to gratify him; and by the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, found his affailless, satisfying his confidence in his Father’s provision for him, refusing to take the matter out of his hands, and persuaded that he could by other means than by bread alone preserve his life and satisfy his hunger. Hereby teaching us, (1.) Under every temptation to have recourse to the word and promises of God. (2.) Not to give place to the devil, by harbouring for a moment his suggestions. (3.) Never to desire to be out own caverns, or think by our own contrivance and wisdom, exclusive of God, to extricate ourselves from our difficulties, or gain our own ends, but quietly to resign ourselves to him, themselves to his providences, and constantly depending upon his blessing and support. (4.) That we should not subpoena God’s favour by his outward dissertations, nor call in question our adoption of him, though never so severely exercised. Many of God’s dearest children have known the teachings of hunger, to prove their faith and try their patience.

2. He tempted him with the enticing offers of temporal grandeur. This St. Matthew places the last, and such it seems to have been; though Luke invests the order. Taking him up into a mountain, the devil in a moment carried all the kingdoms of the world in their greatest glory to pass in review before our

Lord,

Lord, as if to donate and charm him with their united splendor: then boldly challenging them as his own, as if delivered to him, either by the Most High, which was false; or by the willing subjection of these nations and their kings, who yielded themselves up to the devil’s power; and, as Lord of all, he pretends therefore a right to dispose of them at his pleasure: on one condition he proffers to lay them all at the feet of Jesus, and constitute him the universal foreword, if thou wilt worship me, all shall be there. With indignation and abhorrence at such insistence and impiety, he repels the tempera’s offer; and, still drawing his weapons from the sacred magazine of Scripture, condemns the daring attempt of this hateful spirit thus to invade the divine prerogative, and confounds him with producing that eternal and invariable rule of worship, Thou flattit worship the Lord thy God, and him only flattit thou ferve. Nate, All adoration of Satan, angels, and the Virgin, is in fact but the worship of Satan, and as much a sacrifice to devils, (1 Cor. x. 20.) as the religious services of Paganism.

3. Once more the devil returns to the charge, and, since Christ is unmoved with grandeur, and unshaken with delhath, he tries to fill him with unwarrantable presumption; and, setting him on a pinnacle of the temple, hid him with himself down into the court of worshippers below; and, if he was really the Son of God, to prove it by such a sign from heaven as the Jews fought, which, he suggests, would not fail of engaging them to receive him as the Messiah; nor could there be danger in the experiment, since God had given him an express promise of protection, and he was under angelic care, Pfaile xci. 11. 12. Christ seemed to lay such fires upon the Scripture, therefore Satan quotes it too to support his cause. The word of God, in the hands of wicked men, is thus often perverted and wrestled to serve the vilest purposes. But Jesus detects Satan’s fallacy. God is to be trusted, not tempted, as it is written, Deut. vi. 16. In the way of duty he will hold us up: if, without any warrant from him, we expels ourselves to needless danger, we have not the truth ground to hope for preservation.

Utterly defeated now, the devil quits the field, covered with shame; in malice still inveterate. Waiting therefore for a more favourable reason, he departed, resolving to seize the first occasion of returning with sharpened malignity; See Luke xxii. 23.

14. ¶ * And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilæ: and there went out a flame of him through all the region round about. 15. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. 16. ¶ And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and as his custom was he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath-day, and stood up for to read. 17. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Efraim: and when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written. 18. The Spirit of the Lord it upon me, because he hath amassed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. 19. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 20. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and for down: and the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. 22. And all have him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, ‘Is not this Joseph’s son? 23. And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Phylician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. 24. And he said, Verily I say unto you, ‘No prophet is accepted in his own country. 25. But I tell you of a truth, Many widows were in Israel in the days of Efraim, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land: 26. But unto none of them was Efraim sent? save unto Sarapta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. 27. And many logers were in Israel in the time of Efraim the prophet: and none of them was cleansed saving Naaman the Syrian. 28. And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath. 29. And rose up and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the + brow of the hill whereon their city was built; that they might cast him down headlong. 30. But he, passing through the midst of them, went his way.

15. 14—30. Having vanquished his infirmal for so the wilderness, Jesus enters upon his ministerial office, and publickly appears, destroying, by his doctrine and miracles, the power of Satan over the bodies and souls of men.

16. In the power of the Spirit he returned to Galilee, strengthened with might in the inner man for the arduous work which he had undertaken; and immediately he for himself to discharge his high commission, preaching in their synagogues the gospel of the kingdom; and such power accompanied his word, and such miracles confirmed his doctrine, that the people in general admoned and extolled him, and his fame quickly spread through all that country.

17. After passing through other parts of Galilee he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up; and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath-day, and stood up to read some section of Scripture, as was usually done on that day: and a most laudable custom is this, in every worshipping assembly, to read the word of God. The volume, which was delivered to him for this purpose by the minister of the synagogue, contained the prophecy of Haah; and, unrolling the parchment on which it was written, he found the place, Isa. 1. 2., which spoke so evidently of himself. Whether it was the portion of Scripture for the day, or that he chose it as the proper introduction to his discourse, is uncertain; but, whichever was the case, it gave him the fourth opportunity to describe his own office and character, and left them inexcusable who should reject him, notwithstanding the voice of the prophets read every Sabbath-day.

(1.) The text gave a full account of the Redeemer’s undertaking. 1. He was eminently qualified for his arduous work by that plenitude of gifts and graces conferred upon him by the Spirit of the Lord; and fully commissioned by this sanction from the Holy One for the discharge of his meditated office. 2. The great end of his mission is set forth. (1.) To preach the gospel to the poor, to evangelize them; not only to speak to their ears, but to make his work effectual, to convert their hearts. And by the poor are meant not merely the indigent and common people, though of such were Christ’s disciples chiefly taken, but the poor in Spirit, who, convinced of their spiritual wants and overbeliefness, would gladly embrace that free pardon, righteousness, and salvation, which the gospel revealed to them. (2.) To heal the broken-hearted, which thus pierced their souls with sorrow, and which troubled consciences and corrupted hearts nothing but the balm of his blood and grace could relieve and cure. (3.) To preach deliverance to the captives, to sinful souls enslaved by Satan’s power. Their chains of guilt are broken through the atonement of Jesus, and by his it out they are delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. (4.) To preach recovering of sight to the blind, to open the darkened understanding of fallen man, and to shine into his heart, communicating the knowledge of the salvation which is by grace. (5.) To set at liberty them that are bruised, to break off the galling yoke of the law from the necks of those who, under a spirit of bondage, continued miserable and unhappy; and, in its head, to give them the spirit of adoption, and liberty from every shawl fear. (6.) To preach the acceptable year of the Lord, that joyful year of gospel jubilee, when insolvent benners shall obtain free remission of all their sins, deliverance from their miseries, reformation to the divine favour, and their forfeited inheritance in the heavenly Caesars.

(2.) Having read this text, and delivered the roll again to the minister, he set down, as was the custom of the Jewish doctors, and began to discourse at large on all the various particulars; shewing how the words referred to the Messiah and his office, and were that very day fulfilled in himself.

3. The audience hung with attention on his lips, their eyes eagerly fastened on him, and admiration seized every hearer; such eminent wisdom, such energy of disarm, such misery and grace, appeared in all his words and his adderers, that they were astonished above measure, especially manifesting the manner of his birth and education. Is not this ‘Joseph’s son, the carpenter? Which, though it increased their wonder at his discourse, prejudiced them against his person, and would not suffer them to admit the application to himself of this high office of the Messiah. Nate, (1.) To have our eyes directed to the minister serves often to fix the attention to his discourse. (2.) Many admire the preaching, and are pleased with the deance, whose hearts are never truly converted by what they hear.

4. He anticipates and answers the objection he saw rising in the hearts of many against him. Ye will surely say to me this proverb, Phylician, heal thyself: if thou art the wondrous Preludence, as reported, shew it, by working the same miracles at home which we have heard done in Capernaum. But, in answer hereunto, he assures them, that, if he did the same or greater wonders amongst them, he knew their prejudices against him were such, they would notwithstanding reject him, no prophet being accepted in his own country; they would still think mostly of him who had known his parentage and education, and both used for so long a time to regard him as vastly their inferior. But he shows them, that though he with-held his favour from them it would be no proof against him, since he had the examples of former prophets to plead, and God was the foregoing dispoise of his own gifts, and bestows them not on those whom men judge most fit, but on such as he pleases. Thus Elijah supported

ported miraculously a widow of Sarepta, a Gentile city, during the famine which raged, whilst many as necessitous remained in Israel without any such relief; and Elifba also, puffing by the multitude of his own leprous countrymen, cleansed only Nasman the Syrian, a Genuile, and hereditary enemy to Israel. As great or greater objections would therefore lie against these prophets than they suggested against him.

5. The people were highly exasperated at the reproach which they apprehended was couched under these instances, as if they of Nazareth were as wicked as the Israelites in the days of Ahab, and that even Gentiles would be preferred before them in the divine regard. Though so lately they admired his gracious words, this application cut them to the heart; and, rising in a popular tumult, they cast him out of the synagogue, hurried him through the city, and, dragging him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, intended to hurt him headlong down, and dash him in pieces. Note, It is a mercy that even the madness of the people is under a divine refitment: else how many of God’s faithful ministers had met an untimely death?

6. Jesus did appoints their malice. His time to suffer was not yet come, and therefore, by his divine power, either holding their eyes, or rendering himself invisible, or striking them to the earth, as the guard who afterwards came to arrest him, he passed safe through the midst of them, leaving them to their impenitence and ruin. Note, They who reject Jesus and his gospel are justly given up to a reprobate mind.

7. And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the Sabbath-days. 32. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for this word was with power. 33. And in the synagogue there was a man which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, 34. 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. 35. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And, when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not. 36. And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this? for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out. 37. And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about. 38. 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 brought him for her. 39. And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and ministered unto them. 40. Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him: and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. 41. 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. 42. And when it was day, he departed, and went into a desert place: and the people fought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them. 43. And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. 44. And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.

Luke 4:31-44

When Jesus departed from Nazareth he returned to Capernaum, and, as usual, on the Sabbath-day he taught the people in their synagogues, to the astonishment of all who heard him; such divine authority and commanding energy accompanied his word. In proof of the doctrine he advanced, we have here,

1. A notable miracle performed in the presence of the congregation where he preached; for Mark I. 23. A man with the spirit of an unclean devil was in the synagogue. Filled with enmity against Christ and his gospel, and terrified with just fears that Jesus would dispossess him, the devil, using the man’s organs of speech, cried out, Let us alone, &c. Their wicked spirits dread their doom, and fearfully look forward to their terrible judgment. They knew the power of Jesus of Nazareth, for they had proved it in the wilderness; and, fully satisfied concerning his mission, they confess him to be the Holy One of God, though with no kind intention; malice dictated here the language of truth, and they would fain fix upon him the suspicion of a confederacy with them, by bearing such an honourable testimony to him. But Jesus in a moment silences this foul send, and with a word rescued the miserable sinner from his power. With rage, compelled to depart, the devil vented his

last efforts, throwing the man down with violent convulsions, as if he would have torn him in pieces; but his power was broken, he was unable to hurt him, and the cure was complete. Amused, the whole congregation beheld and questioned with each other concerning a miracle so wondrous and uncontellable. Never had such power and authority appeared before, that with a word the internal spirits should thus be dispossessed, without the least ability to make resistance. And immediately the same of the cure spread far and wide. Note, The power of Satan, as an unclean spirit, over the souls of men, is still exceeding great, and nothing but the powerful word of gospel-grace can cast him out.

2. No sooner was he returned from the synagogue than Peter’s wife’s mother, who lay ill of a fever, experienced his healing grace. At the request of some of the company, who mentioned her disorder, he arose, stood by her bed-side, rebuked the fever with a word, and instantly she was so perfectly relieved to health as to be able to wait on the gordin who were in the house. Note, (1.) When they who are near and dear to us are sick, we must beseech Jesus on their behalf; and the prayer of faith still availeth much. (2.) They who are relieved to spiritual health by the Sanious’s grace, will be ready to discharge every kind office of love and service to the least of his people.

3. A multitude of other cures were performed by him the same day at even. All who had friends or relations diseased applied to him, and, whatever was their malady, he with a touch healed them all: even devils, unable to stand before his word, came out of those that were possessed, confessing him to be the Messiah; but he silenced them, refusing to receive any testimony from such as they were. Note, When they who we know bear enmity towards us speak us most respectfully, their civilities are to be most suspected of design.

4. Early next morning he departed from Capernaum to a solitude for retirement. Thither the people followed him, and intreated him to return to their city: but he chose to diffuse the favour of his gospel, and dispense his miracles of mercy in the country around; for this was the design of his mission, to be a general blessing. Note, (1.) They who have much public work have especial need of seasonable retirement also. To be alone with God is the best preparative for the gospel. (2.) They who have found Christ’s presence so desirable, naturally wish for its continuance. And though he refused his bodily presence to them, he hath engaged to his people, who seek him, that he will abide with them for ever.