Luke 4:37 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.

NIV: And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.

NASB: And the news about Him was spreading into every locality of the surrounding region.

CSB: And news about him began to go out to every place in the vicinity.

NLT: The news about Jesus spread through every village in the entire region.

KJV: And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about.

NKJV: And the report about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region.

Luke noted, earlier, that Jesus' preaching and healing made a great impact on the region of Galilee (Luke 4:14–15). His teaching was impressive (Luke 4:22). It demonstrated confidence and assurance, with the tone of someone speaking from their own first-hand wisdom (Luke 4:31–32). Jesus further demonstrated His divine power through miracles. One example was the healing of a man in the synagogue in Capernaum (Luke 4:33–35). Those who witnessed this exorcism noted that Jesus was able to remove the demon with a single command (Luke 4:36).

As news spreads, Jesus will have the opportunity to heal many more people (Luke 4:40). Before long, He will seek rest from the constant crowds (Luke 4:42) and adapt His speaking venues to accommodate more people (Luke 5:1–3).

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.

Accessed 5/5/2024 7:37:22 PM