ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Luke 4

Luke 4:2 forty days. Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the wilderness corresponds to Israel’s 40 years of testing in the wilderness (Deut. 8:2–3). Moses also fasted and prayed for 40 days and nights on two occasions (Ex. 24:18; 34:28). Fasting was a means of focusing on prayer. Being tempted indicates Jesus was tempted the entire 40 days and that the three temptations mentioned marked the end of the temptations. devil. He is God’s supreme enemy.

Luke 4:3–4 command this stone . . . bread. Satan tempted Jesus to use his power to satisfy his own desires rather than trusting in God to supply all that he needed during this temptation. Jesus’ reply tells what the people of Israel should have learned in the wilderness: “Man shall not live by bread alone” (Deut. 8:3). Satisfying one’s feeling of need for food is not as important as trusting and obeying God.

Luke 4:5–8 And the devil took him up introduces another temptation but does not imply that the temptations occurred in this order (compare Matt. 4:1–11). all this authority and their glory . . . has been delivered to me. Though in some sense Satan is the “ruler of this world” (John 12:31; see 1 John 5:19), his claim here should not be accepted as fully true, for all authority belongs to God (see Rom. 13:1–4; Ps. 24:1). This is a temptation to break the first commandment (Ex. 20:3).

Luke 4:9–12 The next temptation takes place on the pinnacle of the temple, the southeastern corner of the Temple Mount, overlooking the Kidron Valley (see note on Matt. 4:5). “He will . . . guard you.” This time the Devil quotes Scripture (Ps. 91:11–12), but the psalmist did not mean that a person should try to force God to protect him. Jesus replies, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test” (Deut. 6:16).

Luke 4:13–15 Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee. For the connection between “power” and “Spirit,” see note on 1:16–17. That Luke describes Jesus as being glorified by all shows Luke’s strong belief in Jesus’ deity.

Luke 4:16–9:50 The Ministry of Jesus in Galilee. Except for 8:26–39, this next section of Luke takes place in Galilee.

Luke 4:16–5:16 Jesus began his ministry by preaching in his hometown of Nazareth. Soon thereafter he was preaching in many places, healing many people, and calling disciples to work with him.

Luke 4:16 as was his custom. Jesus faithfully attended services at the synagogue. Synagogues usually had large rooms with bench seating along the wall (see The Synagogue and Jewish Worship). There is evidence from some synagogues of a special decorative seat called the “Seat of Moses” (see note on Matt. 23:2). Sabbath services at a synagogue involved singing, Scripture and prayer readings, a sermon based on the weekly Scripture reading, and a priestly blessing. Those who did not follow accepted belief and practice were sometimes “put out of the synagogue” (John 9:22).

Luke 4:17 He . . . found the place. Jesus chooses to read Isa. 61:1–2a, but also quotes from Isa. 58:6.

Luke 4:18–19 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. Jesus claims to be the messianic servant of the Lord who is speaking in Isaiah 61 (see Luke 4:21). Jesus’ mission involves proclaiming good news to the poor (see 6:20) and liberty to the captives (“liberty” elsewhere in Luke–Acts refers to forgiveness of sins). Sight to the blind includes both physically and spiritually blind. Liberty for those who are oppressed includes healing the sick, casting out demons, forgiving sins, and teachings on social justice. Proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor quotes Isa. 61:2, but the Year of Jubilee (Lev. 25:10) is also in view.

Luke 4:24 The word Truly occurs more than 70 times in the Gospels, emphasizing the truth of Jesus’ words.

Luke 4:25–27 The examples Jesus cites from the ministries of Elijah and Elisha show that, when Israel rejects God’s prophets, God sends them elsewhere, even to Gentiles.

Luke 4:28–29 Throw him down the cliff describes one method of stoning. Like other NT stoning incidents, which usually involved throwing rocks, this is a mob activity. Under Roman rule, only government officials could carry out a death penalty.

Luke 4:30 passing through their midst. Luke does not explain how Jesus escaped, but it seems to have been miraculous.

Luke 4:32 his word possessed authority. The rabbis merely cited other rabbis’ opinions; Jesus’ teachings had authority of their own (see Matt. 5:22).

Luke 4:34 I know who you are. The demons know who Jesus is (v. 41) but they do not put their personal trust in him (see also note on Mark 1:23–25).

Luke 4:35 Be silent. Compare v. 41.

Luke 4:36 they were all amazed. Jesus’ triumph over demons was a clear indication that God’s kingdom was breaking into the present age in a new and decisive way (see note on Matt. 12:28).

Luke 4:38 Simon was also called “Peter” (6:14).

Luke 4:40 the sun was setting. See note on Mark 1:32–34. every one of them. Though it was late, Jesus did not perform a “group healing” but paid individual attention to each person.

Luke 4:41 And demons also. Luke clearly distinguishes between the casting out of demons and healing (compare 13:10–17).

Luke 4:42–44 Luke often refers to what must be, emphasizing the necessity of God’s plan being fulfilled. The kingdom of God refers to his reign in people’s hearts, not to geographical territory.