Luke chapter 4

vs 22

I read this verse, and read it again and again. I just can't get the word "gracious" to fit in there. If it were "graceful" I would believe it - if it were saying that his words were sleek and elegant and nice to listen to. As if he were a master Scripture reader. But surely that's how they would have translated it if that were the case.

The words he said, of course, are very gracious. So perhaps the fact that he claimed them as his own, the whole idea that an era of good news for the poor was about to break out, is a very gracious idea.

But then, as if awaking from a dream, they realise who said the words. It was almost believable - if it had been someone from another town, they might well have believed it. But it was Jesus, Joseph's son. He's that same little boy who used to play dust-soccer. Who's parents nearly lost him in Jerusalem that year. How can he be anything special?

vs 23

What did he do in Capernaum? Did we miss something? It seems really odd to write something like that without having reference to it. Which to me suggests a source that Luke is borrowing from.

vs 24

This is true for anyone who seeks greatness - there is always going to be that group of people who knew you where you were young and stupid. Because all people have been young and stupid. My personal belief is that Jesus tripped over and grazed his knee and cried home to mum just like any of us did. The whole point of his incarnation was to be human, not to be some sort of omniscient omniscient person. That's my belief anyway.

vs 25-26

Is Jesus saying here that the whole of Israel is going to be apostate? He is referring to what is possibly one of the lowest points in the rule of the northern kingdom (before it got carried off). But I think the context makes it clear he's talking more just about Nazereth.

vs 27

Again, his point is that a non-Israelite is the one who benefits from the existence of a prophet in the land of Israel. The striking thing about these stories is that they are true. But Jesus putting it in this way is quite inflammatory.

vs 28

It had the desired effect.

vs 29

What he said got them so angry that they were ready to throw him off a cliff. So don't take this lightly. That's how insulting the insinuation was.

vs 30

Obviously God wasn't going to allow Jesus to get thrown off a cliff so early in his ministry, so instead he just walks through the crowd and leaves. I think it's meant to be as unbelievable as it sounds.

vs 31

Back to Capernaum (it does say then, flowing on from the previous story, so I don't think we can assume this is the trip to Capernaum he was already talking about) and he returns to their synagogue to teach.

vs 32

Here is the same message, probably, but with a different reaction because he's not from 'round these parts. Y'hear? Instead, they are simply amazed at his authority without being shocked at his humble beginnings.

vs 33

The NASB puts the greek rendering far clearer - spirit of an unclean demon, rather than the NIV, which sounds like a clarification of one to the other. Demonic activity was pretty pronounced when Jesus was around, which we may think is odd - but remember, Satan is looking for an opportune moment to pounce.