Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Luke 4

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Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Luke 4


Verse Commentaries:



Chapter Level Commentary:
Luke 4

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

UBS4 NKJV NRSV TEV NJB
The Temptation of Jesus Satan Tempts Jesus Jesus' Temptation The Temptation of Jesus Testing in the Desert Luk_4:1-13 Luk_4:1-13 Luk_4:1-4 Luk_4:1-2 Luk_4:1-4 Luk_4:3 Luk_4:4 Luk_4:5-8 Luk_4:5-7 Luk_4:5-8 Luk_4:6 Luk_4:9-13 Luk_4:9-11 Luk_4:9-13 Luk_4:12 Events and Teachings in Galilee

(Luk_4:14 to Luk_9:50) Luk_4:13 The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry Jesus Returns to Galilee Jesus Begins His Work in Galilee Jesus Begins to Preach Luk_4:14-15 Luk_4:14-15 Luk_4:14-15 Luk_4:14-15 Luk_4:14-15 The Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth Jesus Rejected at Nazareth In the Synagogue at Nazareth Jesus is Rejected at Nazareth Jesus at Nazareth Luk_4:16-30 Luk_4:16-30 Luk_4:16-30 Luk_4:16-19 Luk_4:16-22 a Luk_4:20-21 Luk_4:22 Luk_4:22-24 Luk_4:23-27 Luk_4:25-27 Luk_4:28-30 Luk_4:28-30 The Man with an Unclean Spirit Jesus Casts Out an Unclean Spirit The Synagogue at Capernaum A Man with an Evil Spirit Jesus Teaches in Capernaum and Cures a Demoniac Luk_4:31-37 Luk_4:31-37 Luk_4:31-37 Luk_4:31-34 Luk_4:31-32 Luk_4:33-35 Luk_4:35 Luk_4:36-37 Luk_4:36-37 The Healing of Many People Peter's Mother-in-law Healed Healing and Preaching Jesus Heals Many People Cure of Simon's Mother-in-law Luk_4:38-41 Luk_4:38-39 Luk_4:38-39 Luk_4:38-39 Luk_4:38-39 Many Healed After Sabbath Sunset A Number of Cures Luk_4:40-41 Luk_4:40-41 Luk_4:40-41 a Luk_4:40-41 Luk_4:41 b A Preaching Tour Jesus Preaches in Galilee Jesus Preaches in the Synagogue Dawn Departure from Capernaum and Travels Through Judea Luk_4:42-44 Luk_4:42-44 Luk_4:42-44 Luk_4:42-43 Luk_4:42-44 Luk_4:44

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO Luk_4:1-13

A. It is extremely significant that immediately following God's affirmation of the Messianic Sonship of Jesus (cf. Luk_3:22) the Spirit "drives" Jesus into the desert to be tempted (cf. Mar_1:12). Temptation was in the will of the Father for the Son. Temptation can be defined as the enticement of a God-given desire beyond God-given bounds. Temptation is not a sin. This temptation was initiated by God. The agent was Satan (cf. 2Ki_22:13-20; Job 1-2; Zechariah 3).



B. Could Christ really have sinned? This is really the mystery of the two natures of Christ. The temptation was real. Jesus, in His human nature, could have violated the will of God. This was not a puppet show. Jesus is truly human though without a fallen nature (cf. Php_2:7-8; Heb_4:15; Heb_7:26). In this respect He was like Adam. We see this same true, but weak, human nature in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed three times for another way of redemption other than the cross (cf. Luke 26:36-46; Mar_14:32-42). This tendency is the essence of each one of Satan's temptations in Matthew 4, cf. James S. Stewart, The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ). How will Jesus use His Messianic gifts to redeem mankind? Any way other than substitutionary atonement was the temptation!



C. Jesus must have told this experience to His disciples later because He was alone in the desert. This implies that this account not only teaches us about Christs temptation, but also helps us in our temptations (cf. Heb_2:18; Heb_4:15).



D. The Synoptic parallels of Luke 4 are found in Mar_1:12-13 and Mat_4:1-11. Since only Matthew and Luke record this full event, and it does not occur except briefly in Mark (Luk_1:12-13), scholars say this comes from a list of Jesus' sayings (possibly written by Matthew in Aramaic), which they call Quelle, the German for "source." The account of the temptations is similar (order of temptations vary, but same three temptations and dialogue) that there "must" have been a common source. The problem is that "Q" has never been found, not even a part of it. It is assumed because of logic and church tradition.



READING CYCLE THREE (from "hyperlink")

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph

2. Second paragraph

3. Third paragraph

4. Etc.



DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

1. Could Jesus have been tempted to sin?

2. Is temptation a sin?

3. Does God ever cause temptation?

4. How is Jesus' Messianic task related to these temptations?

5. Why are the temptations listed in different order (cf. Mat_4:1-11; Luk_4:1-12)?

6. Why did the Gospels leave out such large sections of Jesus' ministry?

7. Why did Jesus regularly teach in the synagogue?

8. Why were the people in Nazareth so angry?

9. Explain why Jesus' message was so different from the rabbinical teachers of His day.

10. Why were the people astounded at Jesus' teachings?

11. What about demons? Who are they? What is their purpose?

12. What does Peter's having a mother-in-law imply about celibacy?

13. What is the significance concerning Jesus' healing everyone who was brought to Him?

14. What is the Kingdom of God? Define it in your own words.

15. What is the problem with the word "Judea" in Luk_4:44?