Knowing The Word in Luke 4:31-37

Jesus Heals a Man with an Unclean Demon

4:31 And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, 32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. 33 And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, 34 “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. 36 And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” 37 And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.

Comments

Having been rejected in his hometown, Jesus headed south to Capernaum where he began his mission with miraculous healings and a continuation of his preaching tour. Capernaum was a busy lakeside town unlike middle of nowhere Nazareth. It was the crossroads of two trade routes and an important port on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus stood out among the other religious leaders of the day because of his authoritative teaching.

The Bible says little about demon possession before or after the incarnation, but it does address it during Jesus’ ministry. This is part of the conflict between Jesus and evil. This time Jesus encountered evil in the synagogue. It is interesting that the demon recognized Jesus and referred to himself in the plural. Why do demons recognize Jesus? Demons are described in the Bible as “fallen angels.” These demons knew the pre-incarnation Jesus in the heavenly realm and then recognized him in the flesh on earth.

The exorcism of this demon was sweet and simple with just a few words. This is the first of five healings Jesus does on the Sabbath in Luke. Luke has a clear interest in the right use of the Sabbath, a day that God works to heal and free his people from a fallen world. Through the spread by word of mouth of the exorcism, Jesus has become a public figure whether he wanted it or not.

Application

What are your thoughts about the demonic? C.S. Lewis has famously stated that we can fall into one of two traps: focusing too much or too little about demons. In my ministry I have encountered the demonic. In two such incidents I simply said to the demons present, “In the name of Jesus, go back to the pit of hell.” And immediately they departed. I had learned this from my mentor in seminary, The Rev. Dr. Michael Green. He had said that no one prepared him in seminary about encountering the demonic and what he should do. He told me of ministering to a demonic possessed woman and how he handled it. (This has become the basis for how I do it today.) Then he cautioned, “Don’t see the demonic all around you, but don’t fail to see it at all.” I pass on the same advice to you.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, your name is power. Help me to live into your power and know that it is always available to me by praying in your name.