Imagine being alone in the wilderness for 40 days with nothing to eat - just you and the whispers of doubt. In Luke 4, Jesus faces such a test, but this chapter is about far more than hunger; it marks the beginning of His powerful ministry.
The Reading: Luke 4
World English Bible1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness
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2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. He ate nothing in those days. Afterward, when they were completed, he was hungry.
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3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”
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4 Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’”
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5 The devil, leading him up on a high mountain, showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
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6 The devil said to him, “I will give you all this authority, and their glory, for it has been delivered to me; and I give it to whomever I want.
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7 If you therefore will worship before me, it will all be yours.”
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8 Jesus answered him, “Get behind me Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’”
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9 He led him to Jerusalem, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down from here,
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10 for it is written, ‘He will put his angels in charge of you, to guard you;’
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11 and, ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest perhaps you dash your foot against a stone.’”
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12 Jesus answering, said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”
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13 When the devil had completed every temptation, he departed from him until another time.
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14 Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and news about him spread through all the surrounding area.
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15 He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
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16 He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. He entered, as was his custom, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.
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17 The book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the book, and found the place where it was written,
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18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed,
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19 and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
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20 He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him.
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21 He began to tell them, “Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
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22 All testified about him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth, and they said, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”
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23 He said to them, “Doubtless you will tell me this parable, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done at Capernaum, do also here in your hometown.’”
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24 He said, “Most certainly I tell you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown.
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25 But truly I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land.
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26 Elijah was sent to none of them, except to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.
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27 There were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed, except Naaman, the Syrian.”
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28 They were all filled with wrath in the synagogue, as they heard these things.
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29 They rose up, threw him out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill that their city was built on, that they might throw him off the cliff.
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30 But he, passing through the middle of them, went his way.
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31 He came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. He was teaching them on the Sabbath day,
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32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word was with authority.
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33 In the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice,
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34 saying, “Ah! what have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know you who you are: the Holy One of God!”
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35 Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” When the demon had thrown him down in the middle of them, he came out of him, having done him no harm.
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36 Amazement came on all, and they spoke together, one with another, saying, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!”
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37 News about him went out into every place of the surrounding region.
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38 He rose up from the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a great fever, and they begged him for her.
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39 He stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her. Immediately she rose up and served them.
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40 When the sun was setting, all those who had any sick with various diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.
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41 Demons also came out of many, crying out, and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!” Rebuking them, he didn’t allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.
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42 When it was day, he departed and went into an uninhabited place, and the multitudes looked for him, and came to him, and held on to him, so that he wouldn’t go away from them.
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43 But he said to them, “I must preach the good news of God’s Kingdom to the other cities also. For this reason I have been sent.”
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44 He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.
What This Chapter Is Really Saying
Temptation in the Wilderness
At the start of Luke 4, Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit and heads into the wilderness for 40 days of fasting and spiritual testing. Hungry and exhausted, He encounters the devil, who tempts Him three times. First, the devil challenges Jesus to turn a stone into bread. Jesus replies that real life comes from God's word, not just food.
Next, the devil shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and offers them to Him if He worships him. Jesus boldly rejects this, stating that only God deserves worship. Finally, the devil tempts Him to jump from the temple's pinnacle, quoting scripture about divine protection. Jesus counters this by saying we shouldn't test God. After these tests, the devil leaves.
Jesus Begins His Ministry
Empowered by the Spirit, Jesus returns to Galilee, where His teaching captures attention. In His hometown of Nazareth, He reads from the prophet Isaiah, declaring His mission: to bring good news to the poor, heal the broken-hearted, and free captives. This proclamation astonishes the crowd, but their admiration quickly turns to skepticism as they remember Him as Joseph's son.
Rejection and Healing
Jesus foresees their doubt and shares stories about prophets Elijah and Elisha who helped outsiders, hinting that His ministry would extend beyond Israel. This enrages the people, leading them to attempt to throw Him off a cliff, but Jesus walks through the crowd unharmed. Later, in Capernaum, He teaches with authority, casts out demons, and heals the sick, demonstrating His power and compassion. News of His miracles spreads rapidly, drawing crowds eager for His touch and teaching.
Why It Matters
Resisting Temptation
Jesus' responses to temptation remind us that spiritual strength is essential. In our own challenges, we can draw on scripture and faith to resist what pulls us away from our true purpose.
Recognizing Our Purpose
Jesus clearly articulates His mission, inviting us to reflect on our roles in our communities. Are we reaching out to those in need? Are we bringing healing and hope to those around us?
Handling Rejection
Jesus faced rejection even from those closest to Him. It reminds us that not everyone will accept our paths, but we must remain true to our calling and mission.
If you're looking to connect with a community of believers, Sancta can help you find a church near you. Gathering in fellowship can strengthen our resolve and support our journeys.
The Power of Healing
The miracles performed by Jesus show that compassion drives His ministry. They inspire us to be agents of healing and kindness in our own lives, extending love to those who are hurting.
Coming Up Next: Luke 5
In the next part of our journey through Luke 5, Jesus continues to call unlikely followers and performs more miracles that challenge the norms of society, illustrating His radical approach to faith and community. Don't miss it!