Luke 4:20-22

The Preaching.

The description of the assembly, Luke 4:20, is so dramatic, that it appears to have come from an eye-witness.

The sense of ἤρξατο, He began (Luke 4:21), is not that these were the first words of His discourse; this expression describes the solemnity of the moment when, in the midst of a silence resulting from universal attention, the voice of Jesus sounded through the synagogue.

The last words of the verse signify literally, “This word is accomplished in your ears;” in other words, “This preaching to which you are now listening is itself the realization of this prophecy.” Such was the text of Jesus' discourse. Luke, without going into His treatment of His theme (comp., for example, Matthew 11:28-30), passes (Luke 4:22) to the impression produced. It was generally favourable. The term bare witness alludes to the favourable reports which had reached them; they proved for themselves that His fame was not exaggerated. ᾿Εθαύμαζον signifies here, they were astonished (John 7:21; Mark 6:6), rather than they admired. Otherwise the transition to what follows would be too abrupt. So the term gracious words describes rather the matter of Jesus' preaching its description of the works of divine grace than the impression received by His hearers. They were astonished at this enumeration of marvels hitherto unheard of. The words, which proceeded forth out of His mouth, express the fulness with which this proclamation poured forth from His heart.

Two courses were here open to the inhabitants of Nazareth: either to surrender themselves to the divine instinct which, while they listened to this call, was drawing them to Jesus as the Anointed of whom Isaiah spake; or to give place to an intellectual suggestion, allow it to suppress the emotion of the heart, and cause faith to evaporate in criticism. They took the latter course: Is not this Joseph's son? Announcements of such importance appeared to them altogether out of place in the mouth of this young man, whom they had known from his childhood. What a contrast between the cold reserve of this question, and the enthusiasm which welcomed Jesus everywhere else (glorified of all, Luke 4:15)! For them this was just such a critical moment as was to occur soon after for the inhabitants of Jerusalem (John 2:13-22). Jesus sees at a glance the bearing of this remark which went round amongst His hearers: when the impression He has produced ends in a question of curiosity, all is lost; and He tells them so.