Bible Commentaries
Luke 4

Verse 1

Luke 4:1

full ... explained in Matthew 4:14;

power ... to work miracles

Verse 2

Luke 4:2

tempted ... Hebrews 2:17-18

The temptations

1) To use power selfishly

2) To use powers for "power"

3) To use power for vainglory

1) the flesh

2) the eye

3) the pride of life

Mattahew’s order: Luke’s order

1. stones 1. stones

2. pinnacle 2. kingdoms

3. kingdoms 3. pinnacle

Matthew summary:

1. Jesus decided to never bribe men

2. The way of sensationalism was not of Him

3. There was to be no compromise in the message He preached

Verse 3

Luke 4:3

If ... Three "ifs" of the temptation

Luke 4.3 "If" of despairing doubt

Luke 4.9 "If" of spectulative vainglory

Luke 4?7 "If" of moral or spiritual compromise

The temptations

1) To use power selfishly

2) To use powers for "power"

3) To use power for vainglory

Verse 16

Luke 4:16

And, as his custom was, he went -- From this it appears that the Saviour regularly attended the service of the synagogue. In that service the Scriptures of the Old Testament were read, prayers were offered, and the Word of God was explained. See the notes at Matthew 4:23.

the synagogue -- see Matthew 4:23.

stood up for to read -- The books of Moses were so divided that they could be read through in the synagogues once in a year. To these were added portions out of the prophets, so that a large part of them was read also once a year.

It is not known whether our Saviour read the lesson which was the regular one for that day, though it might seem “probable” that he would not depart from the usual custom. Yet, as the eyes of all were fixed on him; as he deliberately looked out a place; and as the people were evidently surprised at what he did, it seems to be intimated that he selected a lesson which was “not” the regular one for that day.

The same ceremonies in regard to conducting public worship which are here described are observed at Jerusalem by the Jews at the present time. Professor Hackett (“Illustrations of Scripture,” p. 232) says: “I attended the Jewish worship at Jerusalem, and was struck with the accordance of the ceremonies with those mentioned in the New Testament. The sacred roll was brought from the chest or closet where it was kept; it was handed by an attendant to the reader; a portion of it was rehearsed; the congregation rose and stood while it was read, whereas the speaker, as well as the others present, sat during the delivery of the address which formed a part of the service.” - Barnes

Verse 17

Luke 4:17

And there was delivered unto him,.... By the "Chazan", or minister, to whom he gave it again, Luke 4:20, for the "Chazan" of the synagogue, was, ùîù, "the minister" (r); one part of whose business was, to deliver the book of the law to, and take it from him that read: when an high priest read, the method taken was this (s); - Gill

the book of the prophet Esaias -- it is very likely, that the lesson out of the prophets for that day, was to be read out of the prophecy of Isaiah; and it seems probable, that it was the single book of Isaiah, or that prophecy rolled up by itself, in one volume, that was delivered to Christ; - Gill

he found the place where it was written -- as is expressed in the following verse, and which is to be seen in Isaiah 61:1, and which was either the lesson of the day, or what Christ particularly sought for, and looked out; or was providentially directed to, as what was pertinent to himself, and proper to read and insist on at this time; for it was not by chance that he hit on this place, and read it, but it was according to purpose, and with design. - Gill

, that it contained the prophetic lesson for the day. In the calendar of modern Jews, the lessons from Isaiah run parallel with those from Deuteronomy. The chapter which He read stands as the second lesson for the day of Atonement. We cannot prove that the existing order obtained in the time of our Lord’s ministry, but everything in Judaism rests mainly on old traditions; and there is therefore nothing extravagant in the belief that it was on the day of Atonement that the great Atoner thus struck what was the key-note of His whole work. - Ellicott

Isaiah: 22 vs 22 matches : (ESV) Matthew 3:3; Matthew 4:14; Matthew 8:17; Matthew 12:17; Matthew 13:14; Matthew 15:7; Mark 1:2; Mark 7:6; Luke 3:4; Luke 4:17; John 1:23; John 12:38; John 12:39; John 12:41; Acts 8:28; Acts 8:30; Acts 28:25; Romans 9:27; Romans 9:29; Romans 10:16; Romans 10:20; Romans 15:12;

Prophet Isaiah -- 12 verse (ESV) Matthew 3:3; Matthew 4:14; Matthew 8:17; Matthew 12:17; Mark 1:2; Luke 3:4; Luke 4:17; John 1:23; John 12:38; Acts 8:28; Acts 8:30; Acts 28:25;

scroll / book / Isaiah Luke 3:4

Scroll Luke 4:17

Book of Psalms; Book of Moses; book of the prophets Acts 7:42; Book of the Law Galatians 3:10

Verse 32

Luke 4:32

power ... "authority", Jesus’ teaching was verified with wonders, miracles, signs

Verse 34

Luke 4:34

Come to destroy us ... "demons" were to pass out of the land Zechariah 13:1-2. There would come a time when such "demon" possession would pass away, like the "miraculous, and speaking on tongues." 1 Corinthians 13:8