Lukas 4:14-15

The Beginning of Jesus’ Ministry in Galilee

4:14 Then ¹  Jesus, in the power of the Spirit, ²  returned to Galilee, and news about him spread ³  throughout the surrounding countryside. ⁴  4:15 He ⁵  began to teach ⁶  in their synagogues ⁷  and was praised ⁸  by all.

Lukas 4:32

4:32 They ⁹  were amazed ¹⁰  at his teaching, because he spoke ¹¹  with authority. ¹² 

[4:14]  ¹ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

[4:14]  ² sn Once again Jesus is directed by the Spirit. Luke makes a point about Jesus’ association with the Spirit early in his ministry (3:22, 4:1 [2x]; 4:18).

[4:14]  ³ tn Grk “went out.”

[4:14]  ⁴ tn Grk “all the surrounding region.”

[4:15]  ⁵ tn Grk “And he.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

[4:15]  ⁶ tn The imperfect verb has been translated ingressively.

[4:15]  ⁷ sn The next incident in Luke 4:16-30 is probably to be seen as an example of this ministry of teaching in their synagogues in Galilee. Synagogues were places for Jewish prayer and worship, with recognized leadership (cf. Luke 8:41). Though the origin of the synagogue is not entirely clear, it seems to have arisen in the postexilic community during the intertestamental period. A town could establish a synagogue if there were at least ten men. In normative Judaism of the NT period, the OT scripture was read and discussed in the synagogue by the men who were present (see the Mishnah, m. Megillah 3-4; m. Berakhot 2).

[4:15]  ⁸ tn Grk “being glorified.” The participle δοξαζόμενος (doxazomeno") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style. This is the only place Luke uses the verb δοξάζω (doxazw) of Jesus.

[4:32]  ⁹ tn Grk “And they.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

[4:32]  ¹⁰ sn They were amazed. The astonishment shown here is like that in Luke 2:48.

[4:32]  ¹¹ tn Grk “because his word was.”

[4:32]  ¹² sn Jesus’ teaching impressed the hearers with the directness of its claim (with authority). A study of Jewish rabbinic interpretation shows that it was typical to cite a list of authorities to make one’s point. Apparently Jesus addressed the issues in terms of his own understanding.