Tyndale Open Study NotesLuke 4

The devil tried to tempt Jesus to ignore his Father's plan of salvation by seeking power and glory for himself. The temptation in the wilderness for 40 days is similar to Israel's 40 years of testing there. Israel failed the test, but Jesus succeeded.

tempted by the devil: The term diabolos ("devil") is a Greek translation of the Hebrew satan, meaning “accuser” or “adversary” (1 Chronicles 21:1; Job 1:1–2:13; Zechariah 3:1–2). Luke uses both terms ("devil," Luke 4:3, 6, 13; 8:12; "Satan," 10:18; 11:18; 13:16; 22:3, 31).

Satan tempted Adam and Eve and failed. Jesus is called the second Adam because he is a new beginning for humanity. He resisted temptation, unlike Adam and Eve. Because of this, he reversed the judgment against Adam and Eve.

If You are the Son of God: Both Israel and Adam are called God’s son (3:38; Exodus 4:22–23; Hosea 11:1). Jesus, the Son of God in the fullest sense, succeeded where Adam and Israel failed.

Man shall not live on bread alone: Israel complained constantly about hunger in the wilderness, but Jesus depended on God’s strength to sustain him.

I can give it to anyone I wish: The New Testament elsewhere describes Satan’s limited rule over the present world order (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Ephesians 2:2; 1 John 5:19).

Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only: When Israel encountered difficulties in the wilderness, they started to worship false gods (Deuteronomy 9:12). Jesus refused to worship Satan.

After being driven back twice by Scripture, the devil quoted Scripture to Jesus. He cited a passage that speaks of God’s protection for his people.

Do not put the Lord your God to the test: In the wilderness, Israel constantly tested God’s faithfulness, but Jesus responded with complete trust in God.

The next opportune time could have been when Judas betrayed Jesus (22:3–6, 21–22, 47–48). The greatest test occurred in the garden of Gethsemane (22:39–46).

• Jesus returned to Galilee: The story of the ministry of Jesus in Galilee begins here, and continues through 9:50.

• in the power of the Spirit: At his baptism, Jesus was anointed and empowered to accomplish his role as the Messiah (see 3:22; 4:1, 14, 18).

The sermon Jesus gave in Nazareth showed what his whole public ministry would be about. He returned to the synagogue in his hometown to announce the good news that God’s salvation had come. The people were pleased at first. But then Jesus reminded them that God also reaches out to Gentiles, not only to Jews. This made the crowd so angry that they tried to kill him.

the year of the Lord’s favor: This refers to the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:8–55). During this time, people forgave debts, freed slaves, and returned land to its original owners. In Isaiah 61, the Year of Jubilee is a metaphor for God’s salvation.

• is fulfilled: Jesus announced that his presence marked the new age of salvation (God’s saving work among his people).

• Today: Compare 2:11; 5:26; 19:9; 23:43.

• Physician, heal yourself!: This was a common saying in ancient times. It could mean something like, "show your ability to heal" or "help your own people, not just others."

• that You did in Capernaum: See 4:31–44.

widow of Zarephath: See 1 Kings 17–18.

Naaman the Syrian: See 2 Kings 5.

The people in the synagogue were angry because Jesus mentioned that God had shown favor to Gentiles (non-Jewish people). Many Jews believed that only they received God’s favor. They were also living under Roman rule, and Gentiles ruled over them. So Jesus’s words felt very offensive to them.

Jesus passed through the crowd: The main emphasis is on the royal status and authority of Jesus. His time had not yet come. His time had not yet come (compare John 7:30, 44; 8:20, 59). This attempt to kill Jesus pointed ahead to his crucifixion. His escape also points ahead to his resurrection.

Jesus left Nazareth and made Capernaum his main base during his work in Galilee (see Mark 2:1).

the spirit of an unclean demon: Here unclean means "defiled" or "wicked."

• Have you come to destroy us?: Although there was only one demon present, the use of us suggests that all of Satan’s forces knew about and were fearful of the coming of Jesus.

• I know who You are: In ancient times, people believed that naming a spiritual power gave them control over it. The demon might have been trying to gain power over Jesus.

With authority and power He commands: Magicians and exorcists often used long rituals and special spoken formulas (incantations). The people were amazed that Jesus simply spoke a word with his own authority and drove out the demon.

• the home of Simon: Simon was from Bethsaida (John 1:44), but he currently lived and worked as a fisherman in Capernaum.

• whose mother-in-law: Peter was married (see 1 Corinthians 9:5). The text does not mention his wife's name.

rebuked the fever: Luke uses the same Greek word when Jesus "rebuked the demon" (4:35). Jesus has full authority over both physical and spiritual powers.

• You are the Son of God!: This was a title used for the Christ (God’s chosen king and deliverer, the Messiah; see 2 Samuel 7:14; Psalms 2:7; 89:26–27). Luke often connects the titles Christ and the Son of God (Luke 9:35; 22:66–71; Acts 9:20, 22).

• would not allow them to speak: Jesus often showed his authority over demons by making them silent. He wanted to reveal his identity in his own way, not through their announcement.

• preach the good news: The Greek verb here is related to the noun often translated as "gospel" or "good news" (see study note on 2:9–10; see also 1:19; 7:22; Matthew 4:23; 24:14; Mark 1:1, 15; 16:15; Acts 8:4, 12; Romans 1:1–6, 15–17; 10:15–17; Galatians 1:6–9; Ephesians 2:14–18; 3:6–7).

• The kingdom of God was the main message of Jesus (see Mark 1:15). God began to show his rule (his kingly authority) through what Jesus said and did.

Luke likely used the word Judea in a broad sense, meaning “the land of the Jews.” At that time, Jesus was ministering in Galilee in the north (see 5:1), not in Judea in the south.