Luke 4:31-44

4:31-32 | People were astonished at what Jesus taught and how He taught. In that era, rabbis typically quoted other rabbis or ancient authorities to make their point. Jesus, however, made no appeal to Hillel or Shammai or any other rabbi; He simply stated, “I say to you,” teaching with authority.

4:33-37 | Jesus’ authority was underwritten by His power over the demonic.

4:38-39 | The Gospels report Jesus healing in a wide variety of ways: He used mud, His own saliva, a pool, a touch, or a simple affirmation of healing. Here, Luke says He rebuked the fever, leading some to believe that a demonic force was at work in Simon’s mother-in-law.

4:40-41 | The people waited until the Sabbath ended (when the sun was setting) before bringing friends and family who were ill to Jesus. Jesus had not yet healed publicly on the Sabbath – the action that would infuriate the religious leaders. Luke reports that Jesus laid His hands on every one of them, a detail not mentioned by Matthew or Mark. The laying on of hands demonstrates where the healing originated and also shows the personal nature of Jesus’ compassionate touch.

4:42-44 | Jesus refused the crowd’s desire for Him to stay longer because it conflicted with His larger mission, given to Him by His Father. Jesus never allowed anything to jeopardized or compromise His divinely appointed purpose.