HarperCollins Study Bible

by Harold W. Attridge

  ‘He will command his angels concerning you,

  to protect you,’

  11and

  ‘On their hands they will bear you up,

  so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”

  12Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 13When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

  The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry

  14Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. 15He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

  The Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth

  16When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

  18“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

  because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.

  He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives

  and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free,

  19to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

  20And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 22All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” 23He said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ And you will say, ‘Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.’” 24And he said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown. 25But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; 26yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. 27There were also many lepersd in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” 28When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. 29They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. 30But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.

  The Man with an Unclean Spirit

  31He went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and was teaching them on the sabbath. 32They were astounded at his teaching, because he spoke with authority. 33In the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, 34“Let us alone! 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.” 35But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” When the demon had thrown him down before them, he came out of him without having done him any harm. 36They were all amazed and kept saying to one another, “What kind of utterance is this? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and out they come!” 37And a report about him began to reach every place in the region.

  Healings at Simon’s House

  38After leaving the synagogue he entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked him about her. 39Then he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and began to serve them.

  40As the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various kinds of diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on each of them and cured them. 41Demons also came out of many, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Messiah.e

  Jesus Preaches in the Synagogues

  42At daybreak he departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowds were looking for him; and when they reached him, they wanted to prevent him from leaving them. 43But he said to them, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.” 44So he continued proclaiming the message in the synagogues of Judea.f

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  a Gk he

  b Gk he

  c Gk he

  d The terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases

  e Or the Christ

  f Other ancient authorities read Galilee

  4.1–13 Cf. Mt 4.1–11; Mk 1.12–13. Jesus rebuffs Satan with scripture.

  4.1–2 Forty days in the wilderness fits the pattern of Moses’ and Elijah’s fasts (Ex 34.28; Deut 9.9, 18; 1 Kings 19.8) and God’s testing of Israel for forty years in the wilderness (Deut 8.2). There are also “forty days” between the resurrection and the ascension (Acts 1.3).

  4.3 If here means “since” (see also 23.37), granting that Jesus is the Son of God (see 1.32, 35; 2.49; 4.41) but challenging how he will exercise that authority (4.6).

  4.4 Jesus’ three responses (also vv. 8, 12) refer to Deuteronomy, here Deut 8.3.

  4.5 Luke transposes the second and third temptations compared to Mt 4.5–10 so that Jerusalem is accented in the final position of emphasis (and the sensitive issue of political authority is not).

  4.7 Worship me, i.e., acknowledge my legitimate dominion.

  4.8 Jesus quotes Deut 6.13.

  4.10–11 The devil quotes Ps 91.11–12, which counsels trusting God, not testing.

  4.12 Jesus quotes Deut 6.16.

  4.13 On the opportune time of the devil’s return, see 22.3–6.

  4.14–30 Cf. Mt 13.53–58; Mk 6.1–6a. Jesus’ appearance in Nazareth is paradigmatic for the plot of the rest of the Gospel.

  4.14–15 Luke typically notes the wide-ranging impact of Jesus’ activity (see v. 37; 5.15, 17; 6.17; 7.17; see also 8.39; 9.6).

  4.14 The Spirit remains active at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry (see also 3.22; 4.1, 18).

  4.16 As was his custom. Jesus is faithful to Israel’s practices, here observing synagogue worship on the sabbath (see also 2.21–38). The guest was invited to read from the prophetic scroll (v. 17) and comment (see Acts 13.15).

  4.18–19 The reading includes portions of Isa 61.1–2;58.6 (see also Lk 7.22). The poor. See 1.52; 6.20; 7.22;14.13, 21; 16.20, 22. The year of the Lord’s favor, a “year of jubilee” and restoration in Lev 25.8–12.

  4.20 According to Jewish custom one stood to read scripture but sat down to teach (see also 5.3).

  4.21 Today (see note on 2.11) indicates the actualization of the Isaiah text in vv. 18–19, though fulfillment in your hearing does not guarantee acceptance (see Isa 6.9–10; Acts 28.26–27).

  4.22 Joseph’s son. Cf. 2.48–49; 3.23.

  4.23 This proverb (lit. “parable” see note on 6.39) was common in Greek and Jewish lore. In Luke’s story, Jesus arrives only later in Capernaum (v. 31).

  4.24 Jesus proclaims the year of the Lord’s favor (Greek dektos, v. 19) but is not accepted (dektos).

  4.25–27 The stories of Elijah in Sidon (1 Kings 17.1–16) and Elisha and the Syrian (2 Kings 5.1–14) recall times of judgment on Israel in which the respective prophets turn to Gentiles and thus highlight the Lukan theme of the universalization of the gospel. The stories also anticipate Jesus’ miracles in 5.12–14; 7.11–17.

  4.29–30 Hurl him off the cliff may imply the stoning of a heretic, but somehow Jesus went on (Greek poreuomai) his determined way (see 13.31–35). The same verb (poreuomai) describes Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem (see 9.51; 10.38; 17.11; 19.28).

  4.31–37 Cf. Mt 4.13; 7.28–29; Mk 1.21–28. Luke now tells of Jesus’ healings in Capernaum (see v. 23), which were narrated earlier in Mark’s sequence.

  4.32 They were astounded. The context is again sabbath teaching in the synagogue (see v. 16), but the astonishment of these hearers is evidently positive.

  4.3
3 With a loud voice. See 8.28.

  4.34 The Holy One of God. See 1.35; 2.23. For the evil spirits’ recognition of Jesus as Son of God, see vv. 3, 9, 41; 8.28.

  4.35 Jesus’ rebuke of the demon is a power confrontation, demonstrating his dominion over evil and effecting liberation for those oppressed by demons (see v. 18; Acts 10.38).

  4.36 Jesus’ authority and power are demonstrated, but not on the devil’s terms (see vv. 1–13).

  4.37 A report. See note on 4.14–15.

  4.38–44 Cf. Mt 8.14–17; 4.23; Mk 1.29–39. Additional Capernaum episodes illustrate a successful and popular ministry (cf. vv. 28–29).

  4.38 In Luke’s sequence, Jesus appears at Simon’s house before Simon is called as a disciple (5.1–11; cf. Mk 1.16–20, 29–31).

  4.39 Luke presents Jesus’ rebuke of the high fever in the same terms as Jesus’ confrontations with the demons (vv. 35, 41). Immediately signals the miraculous occurrence; see 5.25; 8.44, 47, 55 (at once); 13.13;18.43; Acts 3.7; 5.10; 12.23; 13.11; 16.26. The healing of a woman follows the exorcism of a man (see note on 2.38).

  4.40–41 These summary verses (see also vv. 14–15, 31–32) offer additional description of the promised liberation from physical and spiritual restraints (see vv. 18–19). Once again, the demons correctly recognize Jesus as the Son of God (see note on 4.34).

  4.42–43 Luke’s portrait of Jesus often includes retreats to a deserted place for solitude and prayer (see note on 5.16), balanced with the recurring theme of Jesus’ determined purpose (see notes on 2.49; 9.51) to declare and inaugurate the kingdom of God.

  4.43 The kingdom (or “reign”) of God is the substance of Jesus’ preaching (see, e.g., chs. 13, 18). It is made present in some sense by Jesus’ person and deeds (11.20; 17.21), yet is also spoken of as a future hope (12.31; 22.16, 30).

  4.44 Luke seems to use Judea here in a sense that includes Galilee (vv. 14, 16, 31; see text note b).

  Luke 5

  Jesus Calls the First Disciples

  1Once while Jesusa was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, 2he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. 4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” 5Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. 8But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” 9For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; 10and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” 11When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

  Jesus Cleanses a Leper

  12Once, when he was in one of the cities, there was a man covered with leprosy.b When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” 13Then Jesusc stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do choose. Be made clean.” Immediately the leprosyd left him. 14And he ordered him to tell no one. “Go,” he said, “and show yourself to the priest, and, as Moses commanded, make an offering for your cleansing, for a testimony to them.” 15But now more than ever the word about Jesuse spread abroad; many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. 16But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray.

  Jesus Heals a Paralytic

  17One day, while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting near by (they had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem); and the power of the Lord was with him to heal.f 18Just then some men came, carrying a paralyzed man on a bed. They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus;g 19but finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the middle of the crowdh in front of Jesus. 20When he saw their faith, he said, “Friend,i your sins are forgiven you.” 21Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, “Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? 23Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? 24But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the one who was paralyzed—“I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go to your home.” 25Immediately he stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went to his home, glorifying God. 26Amazement seized all of them, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen strange things today.”

  Jesus Calls Levi

  27After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” 28And he got up, left everything, and followed him.

  29Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house; and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others sitting at the tablej with them. 30The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31Jesus answered, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; 32I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

  The Question about Fasting

  33Then they said to him, “John’s disciples, like the disciples of the Pharisees, frequently fast and pray, but your disciples eat and drink.” 34Jesus said to them, “You cannot make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you? 35The days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.” 36He also told them a parable: “No one tears a piece from a new garment and sews it on an old garment; otherwise the new will be torn, and the piece from the new will not match the old. 37And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. 38But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. 39And no one after drinking old wine desires new wine, but says, ‘The old is good.’”k

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  a Gk he

  b The terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases

  c Gk he

  d The terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases

  e Gk him

  f Other ancient authorities read was present to heal them

  g Gk him

  h Gk into the midst

  i Gk Man

  j Gk reclining

  k Other ancient authorities read better; others lack verse 39

  5.1–11 Cf. Mt 13.1–2; 4.18–22; Mk 4.1–2; 1.16–20; see Jn 21.1–11. This story echoes earlier scriptural accounts of the calls of Moses while tending sheep (Ex3), Gideon while beating wheat (Judg 6), and Isaiah in the temple (Isa 6). These biblical call stories take mortals from their usual tasks and direct them toward God’s mission to the people.

  5.1 Lake of Gennesaret, a local name for the Sea of Galilee. The crowd is so great it requires special arrangements to address them. Word of God occurs here for the first time and refers to Jesus’ proclamation; in Acts it refers to the message about God’s action in Jesus (Acts 6.7; 12.24; 19.20).

  5.3 Jesus sat down and taught. See note on 4.20.

  5.5 Though Simon’s answer expresses hesitation, his address to Jesus as Master is deferential to his authority (see 8.24, 45; 9.33, 49; 17.13).

  5.8 Peter’s recognition of being a
sinful man indicates his sense of divine presence (cf. Ex 3.6; Judg 6.22; Isa 6.5).

  5.9 Their amazement is the mortal fear or awe evoked by an encounter with divine holiness (see notes on 1.12; 1.13; Acts 3.10).

  5.10 On the image of fishing for people, see also Jer 16.16.

  5.11 On leaving everything, see v. 28; 14.33; 18.22–23. And followed. To follow Jesus is a fundamental metaphor in Luke for discipleship (see vv. 27–28; 9.23, 49, 57, 59, 61; 18.22, 28, 43; 22.39, 54).

  5.12–16 Cf. Mt 8.1–4; Mk 1.40–45. A cure of one who is ritually unclean marks the extension of Jesus’ ministry to social outcasts.

  5.12 Luke presents a person with an extensive condition of leprosy rather than a leper (but see 4.27;7.22; 17.12). The term probably includes what modern diagnosis would identify as several diseases, but ancient Israel understood such unpleasant and disabling skin disorders to require measured separation from the community as much for reasons of ritual purity as hygiene (see Lev 13–14).

  5.13 It is especially significant in this case that Jesus heals with a touch.

  5.14 The priest certified a person clean, or healed, according to established standards (see also 17.14). As Moses commanded. Careful observance of the law is also noted in 1.6; 2.22–24. The offering for your cleansing provided a public testimony to the cure and led to reintegration into the community.

  5.15 The clamor to be cured stands in tension with Jesus’ command tell no one (v. 14; see also Mk 1.44–45).

  5.16 On Jesus’ retreat to pray, see note on 4.42–43; see also 3.21; 6.12; 9.18, 28, 29;11.1; 22.32, 41, 44.

  5.17–26 Cf. Mt 9.1–8; Mk 2.1–12. This healing story has a profound theological controversy about forgiveness at its center (vv. 20b–24a).