Probably Luke narrated these events step by step because his Gentile readers would have been unfamiliar with synagogue worship. His description also heightens the sense of anticipation in the story. The people present were alert and expectant, waiting to hear Jesus’ comments on the passage. read more
When He announced the fulfillment of this passage, Jesus revealed that He was the predicted Messiah and that the time for God’s gracious deliverance had arrived. [Note: See Daniel Doriani, "The Deity of Christ in the Synoptic Gospels," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 37:3 (September 1994):333-50.] This is one of only two instances in which Luke recorded the fulfillment of Scripture by Messiah, the other being in Luke 24:44. These occurred at the beginning and at the end of Jesus’... read more
4:17 written, (i-24) Isaiah 61:1 . read more
4:19 Lord. (d-8) 'Jehovah;' 'do homage' here is proskuneo . 'serve' is latreuo . see Matthew 4:10 . read more
4:20 attendant, (k-15) As ch. 1.2. read more
The Temptation. Nazareth. Capernaum1-13. The Temptation (Matthew 4:1; Mark 1:12). See on Mt.5. Lk inverts 2nd and 3rd Temptations.13. For a season] ’These words signify “until a favourable time.” The conflict foretold so precisely, can be none other than that of Gethsemane. “This is your hour and the power of darkness,” said Jesus at this very time (Luke 22:53), and a few moments before He had said, “The prince of this world cometh” (John 14:30)’ (Godet).14, 15. Return to Galilee. Beginning of... read more
(17) The book of the prophet Esaias.—The Law—i.e., the Pentateuch—was commonly written on one long roll. The other books, in like manner—singly or combined, according to their length—were written on rolls of parchment, and were unrolled from the cylinder to which they were fastened. Here, it is clear, Isaiah formed a roll by itself. It is a natural inference from the fact that it was given to Him, that it contained the prophetic lesson for the day. In the calendar of modern Jews, the lessons... read more
(18) The Spirit of the Lord is upon me.—The passage that follows reproduces, with a few unimportant variations, the LXX. version of Isaiah 61:1-2. The words “to heal the broken-hearted” are not in the best MSS. “To set at liberty them that are bruised” is not found in the present text of Isaiah. It is a legitimate inference that the passage which Jesus thus read was one in which He wished men to see the leading idea of His ministry. Glad tidings for the poor, remission of sins, comfort for the... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 4:18-19
The passage Jesus read was Isaiah 61:1-2 a (cf. Isaiah 58:6). This passage prophesied the mission of Messiah. It is appropriate that Jesus should have read it at the beginning of His ministry and that Luke should have recorded it here. As the Servant of the Lord, which the context of the Isaiah passage contributes, Messiah would possess the Spirit. He would also be the bearer of good news (Luke 1:19; cf. Deuteronomy 18:18; Isaiah 40:9; Isaiah 41:27; Isaiah 52:7). Luke highlighted Jesus’... read more