Luke 4:28 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath.

NIV: All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this.

NASB: And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things;

CSB: When they heard this, everyone in the synagogue was enraged.

NLT: When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious.

KJV: And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,

NKJV: So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,

After reading from the book of Isaiah (Luke 4:16–20), Jesus indicates Himself as the fulfillment of that prophecy (Luke 4:21–22). The people react with skepticism. Sensing they will demand a miraculous sign, Jesus points out that God will use miracles for Gentiles and withhold them from Israel when Israel is stubborn (Luke 4:23–27). At this time, Israel was harshly oppressed by the Roman Empire. The people's angst meant any hint that Israel's God could love Gentiles was met with resistance (Acts 22:21–22).

Even in Jesus' own hometown, the reaction is swift and violent. The people listening to Him are enraged. They will drag Jesus out of the synagogue and attempt to throw Him off a nearby cliff (Luke 4:29–30).

Luke 4:14–30 records the earliest days of Jesus' public ministry. He begins teaching in synagogues before returning to His hometown of Nazareth. There, He reads a prophecy from Isaiah and claims that He has fulfilled it. When those familiar with Him imply that Jesus has no place making such claims, Jesus implies that God will send signs to Gentiles if Israel refuses to believe. This results in an uproar, though Jesus makes what seems to be a miraculous escape.

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.

Accessed 5/5/2024 11:23:34 AM