Luke 4:41 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And demons also came out of many, crying, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.

NIV: Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.

NASB: Demons also were coming out of many, shouting, 'You are the Son of God!' And yet He was rebuking them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that He was the Christ.

CSB: Also, demons were coming out of many, shouting and saying, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Christ.

NLT: Many were possessed by demons; and the demons came out at his command, shouting, 'You are the Son of God!' But because they knew he was the Messiah, he rebuked them and refused to let them speak.

KJV: And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.

NKJV: And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!” And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ.

In the Gospels, Jesus takes two different approaches to publicity about His role as Messiah. In areas further from Jerusalem, or around more Gentiles, He is more open about being the Anointed One (John 4:25–26), though He doesn't often tell people to spread that truth. In heavily Jewish areas, He is more reserved (Matthew 16:20), seemingly to avoid people overreacting and attempting to overthrow Roman control (John 6:15). This changes at the triumphal entry into Jerusalem: the intended moment when Messiah was to be announced to Israel (Matthew 21:8–9).

In almost all cases, however, Jesus works against being proclaimed by demons and evil spirits. Their statements are true—Jesus is "the Holy One of God" (Luke 4:34). The expelled demons mentioned here are not lying when they declare Jesus the Son of God (Matthew 4:3; Mark 1:1). What Jesus seems to be avoiding is confusion on the part of others. He doesn't want the truth to be tainted, in the eyes of the world, through a connection to evil. Later, Paul will point out that even those with bad intentions can preach parts of the truth (Philippians 1:15–18). Even Paul, however, occasionally cut off demonic speech so it wouldn't confuse those who needed to hear the gospel (Acts 16:16–18).

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.