Luke 4:34 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are — the Holy One of God."

NIV: "Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!"

NASB: Leave us alone! What business do You have with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!'

CSB: "Leave us alone! What do you have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!"

NLT: Go away! Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are — the Holy One of God!'

KJV: Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.

NKJV: saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are— the Holy One of God!”

This verse begins with a simple exclamation in Greek: Ea! This is somewhat like English shouts of "Oh!" or "Ahh!" In this context, one could imagine a person shaking their head and waving their hands, as if brushing something away. This is why some translations render the demon saying, "leave us alone!" The spirit's immediate reaction to Jesus (Luke 4:31–33) is a desire that He would go away.

Luke's phrasing here uses a plural word: the demon does not say "me" or "I," but specifically says "us." That might mean there is more than one demon involved (Mark 5:9). It might be the demon speaking on behalf of itself and the possessed man. Or this might be a reference to the entire realm of evil spirits—asking what Jesus plans to do with the demons who are in the world.

Beyond mentioning Jesus by name, the demon refers to Him as "the Holy One of God." This echoes the prediction made by Gabriel to Mary before Jesus was born (Luke 1:35). It matches Peter's description of Him (John 6:69). The person to Whom this evil spirit speaks is both fully human (Acts 19:15), as well as God the Son (James 2:19).

Luke 4:31–44 contains examples of Jesus healing as He teaches in Capernaum. These events include exorcising demons and curing diseases. Jesus' work is so popular that He finds it hard to be alone; the people demand He stay and continue. However, His mission includes other cities and towns. Jesus leaves to preach elsewhere, and the next passages record His calling of the disciples.

Jesus is taken into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. While fasting there, He is tempted by Satan. These temptations share an element of ignoring God in favor of what seems easier or quicker. Jesus resists all of these, citing Scripture as He does. When Jesus returns, He preaches and heals to great publicity in Judea and Galilee. While His hometown responds with stubborn skepticism, others are eager to hear His teaching and experience His miraculous power.

Chapter 3 explained how John the Baptist preached to prepare others to receive Jesus Christ. Luke then provided Jesus' earthly ancestry. Chapter 4 begins with Jesus in the wilderness being tempted by Satan. He returns to preach and perform healing miracles in Judea and Galilee. Chapter 5 shows Him calling disciples and demonstrating further proofs of His authority.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.