Apologiaway: Jesus and the demons: Luke 4:31-44

Luke 4:31-44 (ESV)

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. 38 And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. 39 And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them. 40 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. 41 And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ. 42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, 43 but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” 44 And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

1. Again we have jesus teaching on the Sabbath. How many times do we have the word “Sabbath” in chapter 4? How many times do we have “Sabbath” in the gospel of Luke?

Sabbath is used twice in chapter 4 and 18 times in the Gospel of Luke.

2. Where in Capernaum was Jesus teaching?

“in the synagogue”

3. “Authority” is used to describe His teaching. Why did people perceive His authority? Why might this be significant? Where did Jesus get His authority?

In contrast to their rabbis, who merely cited the opinions of other rabbis, Jesus’ teachings had inherent authority, the authority of God himself. ESV Study bible Notes

The scribes quoted others to establish the authority of their teachings; Jesus was His own authority (28:18). This matter of authority was a major issue between Jesus and the Jews, who felt their authority challenged. MacArthur Study Bible NASB.

Matthew 28:18 (ESV)

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Jesus’ unusual authority amazed those present. Later Jesus’ works elicited the same response (9:43). It was particularly Jesus’ word that impressed them here. As a prophet, Jesus spoke directly from God and for God. The people of Capernaum recognized Jesus’ authority, but the Nazarenes did not. Constable’s Notes

Obviously there was something in the way Jesus spoke which was much different than the rabbi’s of the day. Jesus spoke as if He were speaking the words of God Himself instead of like others who just spoke their opinions about God.

4. How does the demon taunt Jesus?

“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.”

5. “Rebuked” means what?

rebuked: This term in Aramaic was a technical term for calling evil into submission. Jesus’ authority over evil forces is clear.

The Nelson Study Bible Notes

6. Comment on the verse “what’s this message? For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits and they come out.”

They were all amazed because Jesus was able to cast out demons with a word. Jesus’ triumph over demons was a clear indication that God’s kingdom was breaking into the present age in a new and decisive way, driving back demonic forces and setting people free to serve God. ESV Study Bible Notes

7. Was casting out demons by command a new event for the Jews?

The news of Jesus’ miracles, power, works, and teaching continues to spread.

History is full of soothsayers, witches and shamans who had practiced divination and dabbled in the demonic world as they called on the powers of the underworld. This was something different. Here Jesus is personally rebuking and driving out demon by His own power and authority.

8. What is the origin of demons?

Demons are fallen angels, as Revelation 12:9 indicates: “The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.” Satan’s fall from heaven is symbolically described in Isaiah 14:12–15 and Ezekiel 28:12–15. When he fell, Satan took some of the angels with him—one third of them, according to Revelation 12:4. Jude 6 also mentions angels who sinned. So, biblically, demons are fallen angels who, along with Satan, chose to rebel against God.

Some of the demons are already locked “in darkness, bound with everlasting chains” (Jude 1:6) for their sin. Others are free to roam and are referred to as “the powers of this dark world and . . . the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” in Ephesians 6:12 (cf. Colossians 2:15). The demons still follow Satan as their leader and do battle with the holy angels in an attempt to thwart God’s plan and hinder God’s people (Daniel 10:13).

Demons, as spirit beings, have the ability to take possession of a physical body. Demonic possession occurs when a person’s body is completely controlled by a demon. This cannot happen to a child of God, since the Holy Spirit resides in the heart of the believer in Christ (1 John 4:4).

Jesus, during His earthly ministry, encountered many demons. Of course, none of them were a match for the power of Christ: “Many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word” (Matthew 8:16). Jesus’ authority over the demons was one of the proofs that He was indeed the Son of God (Luke 11:20). The demons who encountered Jesus knew who He was, and they feared Him: “‘What do you want with us, Son of God?’ [the demons] shouted. ‘Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?’” (Matthew 8:29). The demons know their end will be one of torment.

Satan and his demons now look to destroy the work of God and deceive anyone they can (1 Peter 5:8; 2 Corinthians 11:14–15). The demons are described as evil spirits (Matthew 10:1), unclean spirits (Mark 1:27), lying spirits (1 Kings 22:23), and angels of Satan (Revelation 12:9). Satan and his demons deceive the world (2 Corinthians 4:4), promulgate false doctrine (1 Timothy 4:1), attack Christians (2 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Peter 5:8), and combat the holy angels (Revelation 12:4–9).

The demons/fallen angels are enemies of God, but they are defeated enemies. Christ has “disarmed the powers and authorities,” and He has “made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Colossians 2:15). As we submit to God and resist the devil, we have nothing to fear. “The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). http://www.gotquestions.org/demons.html#ixzz3U1jjP2tN

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