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Luke Chapter Four

 

Luke 4

The unknown Son of God on earth Jesus is led (chap. 4) into the wilderness by the Holy Ghost with whom He had been sealed to undergo the temptation of the enemy beneath which Adam fell. But Jesus endured this temptation in the circumstances in which we stand not those in which Adam stood; that is to say He felt it in all the difficulties of the life of faith tempted in all points like as we are sin excepted. Take notice here that it is no question of bondage to sin but of conflict. When it is a question of bondage it is a question of deliverance not of conflict. It was in Canaan that Israel fought. They were delivered out of Egypt; they did not fight there.

In Luke the temptations are arranged according to their moral order: first that which bodily need required; second the world; third spiritual subtlety. In each the Lord maintains the position of obedience and of dependence giving God andHis communications to man-His word-their true place. Simple principle which shelters us in every attack but which by its very simplicity is perfection! Nevertheless let us remember that this is the case; for raising ourselves to marvellous heights is not the thing required of us but the following that which applies to our human condition as the normal rule for its guidance. It is obedience dependence-doing nothing except as God wills it and reliance on Him. This walk supposes the word. But the word is the expression of the will the goodness and the authority of God applicable to all the circumstances of man as he is.-It shews that God interests Himself in all that regards him: why then should man act of himself without looking to God and to His word? Alas! speaking of men in general they are self-willed. To submit and be dependent is precisely that which they will not. They have too much enmity to God to trust in Him. It was this therefore which distinguished the Lord. The power to work a miracle God could bestow on whom He would. But an obedient man who had no will to do anything with respect to which the will of God was not expressed a man who lived by the word a man who lived in complete dependence upon God and had a perfect trust which required no other proof of God's faithfulness than His word no other means of certainty that He would intervene than His promise of so doing and who waited for that intervention in the path of His will-here was something more than power. This was the perfection of man in the place where man stood (not simply innocence for innocence has no need of trusting God in the midst of difficulties and sorrows and questions raised by sin and the knowledge of good and evil) and a perfection which sheltered one who possessed it from every attack Satan could make upon him; for what could he do to one who never went beyond the will of God and to whom that will was the only motive for action? Moreover the power of the Spirit of God was there Accordingly we find that simple obedience directed by the word is the only weapon employed by Jesus. This obedience requires dependence on God and trust in God in order to accomplish it.

He lives by the word: this is dependence. He will not tempt (that is put God to the test) to see if He is faithful: this is trust.

He acts when God wills and because He wills and does that which God wills. All the rest He leaves with God. This is obedience; and remark not obedience as submission to God's will where there was an adverse one but where God's will was the one motive for action. We are sanctified to the obedience of Christ.

Satan is overcome and powerless before this last Adam who acts according to the power of the Spirit in the place where man is found by the means which God has given to man and in the circumstances in which Satan exercises his power. Sin there was none or it would have been to yield not to conquer. It was shut out by obedience. But Satan is overcome in the circumstances of temptation in which man is found. Bodily need which would have become lust if self-will had entered into it instead of dependence on the will of God; the world and all its glory which so far as it is the object of man's covetousness is in fact the kingdom of Satan (and it was on that ground that Satan tried to bring Jesus and shewed himself to be Satan in so doing); and lastly self-exaltation in a religious way through the things which God has given us-these were the points of the enemy's attack. But there was no self-seeking in Jesus.

We have found then in these things which we have been looking at a man filled with the Holy Ghost and born of the Holy Ghost on earth perfectly well-pleasing to God and the object of His affection His beloved Son in the position of dependence; and a man the conqueror of Satan amid those temptations by which he usually gains advantage over man-conqueror in the power of the Holy Ghost and by making use of the word as dependent obedient and trusting in God in the ordinary circumstances ofman. In the first position Jesus stood with the remnant; in the second alone-as in Gethsemane and on the cross. Nevertheless it was for us; and accepted as Jesus we have in a certain sense the enemy to overcome. But it is a conquered enemy whom we resist in the strength of the Holy Ghost who is given unto us in virtue of redemption. If we resist him he flees; for he has met his conqueror. The flesh does not resist him. He finds Christ in us. Resistance in the flesh does not lead to victory.

Jesus conquered the strong man and then spoiled his goods; but it was in temptation obedience having no will but that of God dependence the use of the word abiding in subjection to God that Jesus gained the victory over him. In all this the first Adam failed. After Christ's victory we also as servants of Christ gain actual victories or rather the fruits of the victory already gained in the presence of God.

The Lord has now taken His place so to speak for the work of the last Adam-the man in whom is the Spirit without measure the Son of God in this world by His birth. He has taken it as the seed of the woman (nevertheless conceived of the Holy Ghost); He has taken it as the Son of God perfectly well-pleasing to God in His Person as man here below; and He has taken it as the conqueror of Satan. Owned to be the Son of God and sealed with the Holy Ghost by the Father heaven being open to Him as man His genealogy is however traced up to Adam; and the descendant of Adam without sin full of the Holy Ghost He conquers Satan (as the obedient man having no motive but the will of God) and sets Himself to accomplish the work which God His Father committed to Him in this world and that as man by the power of the Holy Ghost.

He returns in the power of the Spirit into Galilee [1] and His fame spreads through all the region round about.

He presents Himself in this character: "The Spirit of Jehovah is upon me because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted ... to preach the acceptable year of Jehovah." Here He stops. That which follows in the prophet respecting the deliverance of Israel by the judgment which avenges them of their enemies is omitted by the Lord.

Now Jesus does not announce promises but their fulfilment in grace by His own presence. The Spirit is upon this man full of grace; and the God of grace in Him manifests His goodness. The time of deliverance is come; the vessel of His favour to Israel is there in their midst.

The examination of the prophecy renders this testimony so much the more remarkable that the Spirit having declared the sin of the people and their judgment in the chapters that precede these words speaks (when introducing the Christ the Anointed) only of grace and blessing to Israel: if there is vengeance it should be executed upon their enemies for the deliverance of Israel.

But here it is grace in His Person this man the Son of God full of the Holy Ghost in order to proclaim the mercy of a God who is faithful to His promises and to comfort and lift up the bruised and the poor in spirit. Blessing was there presenting itself before them. They could not misunderstand it but they do not recognise the Son of God. "Is not this Joseph's son?" We have here the whole history of Christ-the perfect manifestation of grace in the midst of Israel His land and His people; and they knew Him not. No prophet is accepted in his own country.

But this rejection opened the way to a grace which went beyond the limits that a rebellious people would set to it. The woman of Sarepta and Naaman were testimonies of this grace.

Wrath fills the heart of those who reject grace. Unbelieving and incapable of discerning the blessing that had visited them they will not have it go elsewhere. The pride which rendered them unable to appreciate grace would not hear of its communication to others.

They seek to destroy Jesus but He goes on His way. Here is the whole history of Jesus among the people traced beforehand.

He went His way; and the Spirit preserves to us the acts and the cures which characterise His ministry in the aspect of the efficacy of grace and of its extension to others besides Israel.

Power was in Him whose grace was rejected. Acknowledged by devils if not by Israel He expels them by a word. He heals the sick. All the power of the enemy all the sad outward effects of sin disappear before Him. He heals He withdraws; and when entreated to remain (the effect of His works that procured Him that honour from the people which He did not seek) He goes away to labour elsewhere in the testimony committed to Him. He seeks to accomplish His work and not to be honoured.

He preaches everywhere among the people. He casts out the enemy He removes sufferings and proclaims the goodness of God to the poor.

Footnotes

[1] And here note as anointed with the Holy Ghost and led by Him He goes to be tempted and returns in the power of it. None was lost and this power was as much shewn in the apparently negative result of overcoming as in the miraculous manifestation of power afterwards on men.

── John DarbySynopsis of Luke

 

Luke 4

Chapter Contents

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)

Commentary on Luke 4:1-13

(Read Luke 4:1-13)

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 Genesis 3:15. Though Satan depart for a season we shall never be out of his reach till removed from this present evil world.

Commentary on Luke 4:14-30

(Read Luke 4:14-30)

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.

Commentary on Luke 4:31-44

(Read Luke 4:31-44)

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.

── Matthew HenryConcise Commentary on Luke

 

Luke 4

Verse 4

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

Deuteronomy 8:3.

Verse 6

[6] And the devil said unto him All this power will I give thee and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

I give it to whomsoever I will — Not so Satan. It is God not thou that putteth down one and setteth up another: although sometimes Satan by God's permission may occasion great revolutions in the world.

Verse 8

[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.

Deuteronomy 6:13.

Verse 10

[10] For it is written He shall give his angels charge over thee to keep thee:

Psalms 91:11.

Verse 12

[12] And Jesus answering said unto him It is said Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Deuteronomy 6:16.

Verse 13

[13] And when the devil had ended all the temptation he departed from him for a season.

A convenient season — In the garden of Gethsemane Luke 22:53.

Verse 14

[14] 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.

Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit — Being more abundantly strengthened after his conflict.

Verse 15

[15] And he taught in their synagogues being glorified of all.

Being glorified of all — So God usually gives strong cordials after strong temptations. But neither their approbation continued long nor the outward calm which he now enjoyed.

Verse 16

[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.

He stood up — Showing thereby that he had a desire to read the Scripture to the congregation: on which the book was given to him. It was the Jewish custom to read standing but to preach sitting. Matthew 13:54; Mark 6:1.

Verse 17

[17] And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book he found the place where it was written

He found — It seems opening upon it by the particular providence of God.

Verse 18

[18] 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

He hath anointed me — With the Spirit. He hath by the power of his Spirit which dwelleth in me set me apart for these offices.

To preach the Gospel to the poor — Literally and spiritually. How is the doctrine of the ever-blessed trinity interwoven even in those scriptures where one would least expect it? How clear a declaration of the great Three-One is there in those very words The Spirit - of the Lord is upon me! To proclaim deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind to set at liberty them that are bruised - Here is a beautiful gradation in comparing the spiritual state of men to the miserable state of those captives who are not only cast into prison but like Zedekiah had their eyes put out and were laden and bruised with chains of iron. Isaiah 61:1.

Verse 19

[19] To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

The acceptable year — Plainly alluding to the year of jubilee when all both debtors and servants were set free.

Verse 21

[21] And he began to say unto them This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

To-day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears — By what you hear me speak.

Verse 22

[22] 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?

The gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth — A person of spiritual discernment may find in all the discourses of our Lord a peculiar sweetness gravity and becomingness such as is not to be found in the same degree not even in those of the apostles.

Verse 23

[23] And he said unto them Ye will surely say unto me this proverb Physician heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum do also here in thy country.

Ye will surely say — That is your approbation now outweighs your prejudices. But it will not be so long. You will soon ask why my love does not begin at home? Why I do not work miracles here rather than at Capernaum? It is because of your unbelief. Nor is it any new thing for me to be despised in my own country. So were both Elijah and Elisha and thereby driven to work miracles among heathens rather than in Israel.

Verse 24

[24] And he said Verily I say unto you No prophet is accepted in his own country.

No prophet is acceptable in his own country — That is in his own neighbourhood. It generally holds that a teacher sent from God is not so acceptable to his neighbours as he is to strangers. The meanness of his family or lowness of his circumstances bring his office into contempt: nor can they suffer that he who was before equal with or below themselves should now bear a superior character.

Verse 25

[25] But I tell you of a truth many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias when the heaven was shut up three years and six months when great famine was throughout all the land;

When the heaven was shut up three years and six months — Such a proof had they that God had sent him. In 1 Kings 18:1 it is said The word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year: namely reckoning not from the beginning of the drought but from the time when he began to sojourn with the widow of Sarepta. A year of drought had preceded this while he dwelt at the brook Cherith. So that the whole time of the drought was (as St. James likewise observes) three years and six months. 1 Kings 17:19; 18:44.

Verse 27

[27] And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed saving Naaman the Syrian.

2 Kings 5:14.

Verse 28

[28] And all they in the synagogue when they heard these things were filled with wrath

And all in the synagogue were filled with fury — Perceiving the purport of his discourse namely that the blessing which they despised would be offered to and accepted by the Gentiles. So changeable are the hearts of wicked men! So little are their starts of love to be depended on! So unable are they to bear the close application even of a discourse which they most admire!

Verse 30

[30] But he passing through the midst of them went his way

Passing through the midst of them — Perhaps invisibly; or perhaps they were overawed; so that though they saw they could not touch him.

Verse 31

[31] And came down to Capernaum a city of Galilee and taught them on the sabbath days.

He came down to Capernaum — And dwelt there entirely quitting his abode at Nazareth. Mark 1:21.

Verse 34

[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.

What have we to do with thee — Thy present business is with men not with devils.

I know thee who thou art — But surely he did not know a little before that he was God over all blessed for ever; or he would not have dared to tell him All this power is delivered to me and I give it to whomsoever I will.

The Holy One of God — Either this confession was extorted from him by terror (for the devils believe and tremble ) or he made it with a design to render the character of Christ suspected. Possibly it was from hence the Pharisees took occasion to say He casteth out devils by the prince of the devils.

Verse 38

[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 besought him for her.

Matthew 8:14; Mark 1:29.

Verse 40

[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.

When the sun was set — And consequently the Sabbath ended which they reckoned from sunset to sunset. Matthew 8:16; Mark 1:32.

Verse 42

[42] And when it was day he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him and came unto him and stayed him that he should not depart from them.

Mark 1:35.

── John ‘WesleyExplanatory Notes on Luke

 

Chapter 4. Filled with the Holy Spirit

All Kinds of Temptation
Depart Temporarily

I. Jesus Triumphs over temptation

  1. Lusts of the Flesh
  2. Lusts of Eyes
  3. Pride of This Life

II. Jesus Begins His Ministry

  1. Declare Salvation
  2. Rejected in Hometown
  3. Pass Right Through

III. Jesus' Three Kinds of Authority

  1. Authority of Teaching
  2. Authority of Casting out Demons
  3. Authority of Healing
── Chih-Hsin ChangAn Outline of The New Testament