Luke 4:31-32

Jesus had to go down topographically from Nazareth, that stood approximately 1,200 feet above sea level, to Capernaum, that lay almost 700 feet below sea level. This notation, and the mention that Capernaum was a city of Galilee, were undoubtedly for Luke’s original readers’ benefit many of whom were unfamiliar with Palestinian geography. Again Luke recorded that Jesus was teaching in the synagogue (cf. Luke 4:16). There He demonstrated the liberating work that Isaiah wrote that Messiah would do (Luke 4:18).

"Teaching [Gr. didache] in Luke-Acts is seen as a broad term encompassing much more than the offer of the gospel, whereas preaching [kerygma] in Luke-Acts [only in Luke 11:32] tends to be limited to the salvation message." [Note: Idem, "A Theology . . .," p. 119.]

Jesus’ unusual authority amazed (Gr. exeplessonto) those present (cf. Deuteronomy 18:18). Later Jesus’ works elicited the same response (Luke 9:43). It was particularly Jesus’ word (Gr. logos, cf. Luke 1:1-4) that impressed them here. As a prophet, Jesus spoke directly from God and for God. The people of Capernaum recognized Jesus’ authority, but the Nazarenes did not.