Luke 4:31-37
Chapter 4
31
Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and started teaching the people at the Sabbath gatherings.
32
They were amazed at how he taught them because his words were spoken with authority.
33
In the synagogue, there was a man possessed by an evil spirit who shouted loudly:
34
“What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I recognize you: you are the Holy One of God.”
35
Then Jesus said to him sharply:
“Be silent and leave this man!”
The evil spirit then threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without harming him.
36
Amazement overwhelmed all these people, and they said to one another:
“What does this mean? He commands the evil spirits with authority and power. He orders, and you see how they come out!”
37
And news about Jesus spread throughout the surrounding area.
Commentaries
Teaches and Cast Out Demons in Capernaum.
We must assume that the hostility of the unclean spirit stems from Jesus’ teachings, which are none other than those he already proclaimed in the synagogue of Nazareth: “The Good News to the poor, freedom to the captives, sight to the blind, liberation to the oppressed, and the year of the Lord’s favor” (4:18ff). The demon, who can represent the attitude of any believer, is also capable of declaring his faith, knowing Jesus, and defining him as “sent,” “anointed,” “Messiah” of God (34:41); but is that enough? Shouldn’t there be a radical change of life from the moment someone knows Jesus and hears his word?