Luke 4:33-36 - In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon...

In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, "Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are-the Holy One of God!" "Be quiet!" Jesus said sternly. "Come out of him!" Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him. All the people were amazed and said to each other, "What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!"

And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not. And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.

In the synagogue there was a man possessed by the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, "Let us alone! What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are--the Holy One of God!" But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet and come out of him!" And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst of the people, he came out of him without doing him any harm. And amazement came upon them all, and they began talking with one another saying, "What is this message? For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits and they come out."

Luke 4:33-36

Commentary

Demon-possession was prevalent in Christ's time, and on numerous occasions Christ cast out these fallen angels. In the synagogue at Nazareth one such demon spoke to Christ from out of his human captive's body. Jesus rebuked him as an improper source for proclaiming who Christ was. Jesus' fame was spreading rapidly in every direction.

KJV Bible commentary. 1997, c1994 (2020). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Did you know?

Demons always recognized Christ immediately (cf. v. Luke 41; Luke 8:28; Matt. 8:29; Mark 1:24; 3:11; 5:7)

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Lk 4:34). Nashville: Word Pub.

James 2:19 - Even the demons believe...

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder.

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

You believe that God is one You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.

James 2:19

Commentary

Even fallen angels affirm the oneness of God and tremble at its implications. Demons are essentially orthodox in their doctrine (cf. Matt. 8:29,30; Mark 5:7; Luke 4:41; Acts 19:15). They know the truth about God, Christ, and the Spirit, but hate it and them. Orthodox doctrine by itself is no proof of saving faith.

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Jas 2:19). Nashville: Word Pub.

DEMONS - another name for fallen angels who joined the kingdom of Satan in rebellion against God.

Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., Harrison, R. K., & Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1995). Nelson's new illustrated Bible dictionary. Rev. ed. of: Nelson's illustrated Bible dictionary.; Includes index. Nashville: T. Nelson.

Isaiah 55:7 - Turn to the LORD, and He will have mercy

Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

Isaiah 55:7

Commentary

The pathway of blessing lies in seeking the Lord and in forsaking sin. Those who thus return to the Lord will find Him full of mercy and pardon.

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Is 55:6). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Forsake - An integral part of seeking the Lord (v. 6) is a turning from sin (1:16).

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Is 55:7). Nashville: Word Pub.

Proverbs 22:29 - Do you see a man skilled in his work?

Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.

Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men.

Proverbs 22:29

Commentary

Excellent work still brings rewards from people and the approval of God.

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Pr 22:29). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

"a man who excels" - Hebrew "who is quick." Such speed in work comes from well-learned skills rather than from taking shortcuts.

Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., & Silva, M. (1995). Reformation study Bible, the : Bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture : New King James Version. Includes index. (Pr 22:29). Nashville: T. Nelson.

Leviticus 20:7 - Consecrate yourselves and be holy

Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the LORD your God.

Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.

You shall consecrate yourselves therefore and be holy, for I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 20:7

Commentary

Originating in God's nature, holiness is a unique quality of His character. The Bible emphasizes this divine attribute. "Who is like you, O Lord?" (Ex. 15:11). "There is none holy like the Lord" (1 Sam. 2:2). "Who shall not fear You, O Lord . . . For You alone are holy" (Rev. 15:4). God's high expectations of His people flow out of His own holy nature: "You shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Ex. 19:6); "You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy" (Lev. 19:2).
Jesus was the personification of holiness; He reinforced God's demands for holiness by insisting that His disciples have a higher quality and degree of righteousness than that of the scribes and Pharisees (Matt. 5:20). Like Amos and Hosea, Jesus appealed for more than ceremonial holiness: "I desire mercy and not sacrifice" (Hos. 6:6; Matt. 12:7). The theme of sanctification, or growing into God's likeness and being consecrated for His use, is prominent throughout the Bible. Like Jesus, the apostles taught that sanctification, or true holiness, expressed itself in patient and loving service while awaiting the Lord's return.

Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., Harrison, R. K., & Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1995). Nelson's new illustrated Bible dictionary. Rev. ed. of: Nelson's illustrated Bible dictionary.; Includes index. Nashville: T. Nelson.

Revelation 1:8 - I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

Revelation 1:8

Commentary

There is a change of speaker. The Lord Jesus introduces Himself as the Alpha and the Omega (the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet), the Beginning and the End. He spans time and eternity, and exhausts the vocabulary of excellence. He is the source and goal of creation, and it is He who began and will end the divine program in the world. He is and was and is to come, eternal in His being and the Almighty in power. (1:8)

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Re 1:8). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Romans 11:33-36 - Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

Romans 11:33-36

Commentary

God is able to arrange His plan so that it results in the good of all concerned and His own glory, and He is able to complete such a plan. His decisions spring from logic that extends beyond human ability to comprehend. His procedures are so complex that humans cannot discover them without the aid of divine revelation. No one can know God's mind fully. He is so wise that He has no need of counselors. He is the Originator, Sustainer, and Finisher of everything ultimately. In view of all these things (11:33-36), He deserves all glory forever.

Bailey, M., Constable, T., Swindoll, C. R., & Zuck, R. B. (1999). Nelson's New Testament Survey : Discover the Background, Theology and Meaning of Every Book in the New Testament (282). Nashville: Word.

Psalm 144:3 - O LORD, what is man that you care for him?

O LORD, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of him?

LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!

O LORD, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You think of him?

Psalm 144:3

Commentary

What is man? Here the rhetorical question is used to speak of the frailty of humans. In light of the greatness of God, man is utterly insignificant. It's a wonder that God ever takes notice of him.¹ But though brief and fragile, our lives are of supreme concern to God. So much so that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins!

1. MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Ps 144:3). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Acts 17:24-25 - And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything

The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.

God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things;

Acts 17:24-25

Commentary

Because the men of Athens had scant knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures, Paul started with the general revelation visible in creation itself. He introduced God as the One who made the world and everything in it. As he looked around on the numerous idol temples nearby in Athens, the apostle reminded his hearers that the true God does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He dependent on the service of men's hands. In idol temples, the priests often bring food and other "necessities" to their gods. But the true God does not need anything from man, because He is the source of life, breath, and all things.

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Ac 17:24). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.


Athens - the most celebrated city of the ancient world, the seat of Greek literature and art during the golden period of Grecian history. Its inhabitants were fond of novelty (Acts 17:21), and were remarkable for their zeal in the worship of the gods. It was a sarcastic saying of the Roman satirist that it was "easier to find a god at Athens than a man."

Easton, M. (1996, c1897). Easton's Bible dictionary. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 - He has also set eternity in the hearts of men

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

He has made everything appropriate in its time He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

Commentary

God has made everything beautiful in its time, or, better, that there is an appropriate time for each activity. He is not so much thinking here of the beauty of God's creation as the fact that every action has its own designated time, and that in its time it is eminently fitting.
Also God has put eternity in man's mind. Though living in a world of time, man has intimations of eternity. Instinctively he thinks of "forever," and though he cannot understand the concept, he realizes that beyond this life there is the possibility of a shoreless ocean of time. Yet God's works and ways are inscrutable to man. There is no way in which we can solve the riddle of creation, providence, or the consummation of the universe, apart from revelation. In spite of the enormous advances of human knowledge, we still see through a glass darkly.

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Ec 3:11). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Psalm 144:4 - Man is like a breath...

Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow.

Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.

Man is like a mere breath; His days are like a passing shadow.

Psalm 144:4

Commentary

Eternal God is contrasted with short-lived man.

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Ps 144:3). Nashville: Word Pub.

Related Verse

For a thousand years in Your sight
are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night.
- Psalm 90:4

Psalm 25:8-10 - Good and upright is the LORD

Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.

Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.

Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way. All the paths of the LORD are lovingkindness and truth To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.

Psalm 25:8-10

Commentary

David now moves from prayer to contemplation. The single most important quality which we need to learn from Him is humility-we must be meek enough to admit our ignorance and our need for further instruction. If we are teachable we soon learn what is right, that is, what the will of God is.

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Ps 25:8). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

"Good and upright is the Lord"

God's goodness is for this life (Ps. 27:13) as well as eternity (Ps. 31:19). It gives hope (Ps. 27:13), leads to repentance (Rom. 2:4), and produces thankfulness (Ps. 136:1). God has started a good work in each believer and has committed Himself to completing His work (Phil. 1:6).

Thomas Nelson, I. (1997, c1995). Woman's study Bible . (Ps 26:11). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Lamentations 3:24-26 - The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him

I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him." The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently For the salvation of the LORD.

Lamentations 3:24-26

Commentary

God is always good to those who seek, hope, and wait for Him (cf. 1 Chr. 28:9). The threefold "good" in this context (cf. vv. 26, 27) focuses on God's goodness.

Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., & Silva, M. (1995). Reformation study Bible, the : Bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture : New King James Version. Includes index. (La 3:25). Nashville: T. Nelson.

"I hope in Him" - Hope is not a wishful thought, but a confident expectation in Lord. The Hebrew verb rendered hope suggests the idea of a "waiting attitude" (v. 21).

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (La 3:24). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Lamentations 3:21-23 - Great is thy faithfulness

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:21-23

Commentary

Jeremiah's remembrance of God's faithfulness brought about a change in the prophet's emotions. As long as we contemplate our troubles, the more convinced we will become of our isolation, our hopelessness, our inability to extricate ourselves from the present trouble. But when we focus on the Lord, we are able finally to rise above, rather than to suffer under, our troubles.Every day presents us with a new opportunity to discover and experience more of God's love. Even in the midst of terrible sorrow, Jeremiah looked for signs of mercy.
Great is Your faithfulness: Here is the heart of the Book of Lamentations. The comforting, compassionate character of God dominates the wreckage of every other institution and office. God remains "full of grace and truth" in every situation (Ex. 34:6, 7; John 1:14).

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (La 3:21-23). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

GodTube Video - "Great is Thy Faithfulness"

Neville Peter ( a blind musician) plays and sings Great is Thy Faithfulness. View Video

Psalm 42:1 - As the deer pants for streams of water...

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God.

Psalm 42:1

Commentary

This poet felt that God was remote and distant. He expressed his deep longing for God as being comparable to the intense thirst of a deer for water during a time of severe drought. The poet longed to enjoy once more the assurance of God's presence with him. All who belong to God experience times when God seems absent, and they long for the reassurance of His presence. Psalms 42; 43 provide guidance in such times.

Thomas Nelson, I. (1997, c1995). Woman's study Bible . (Ps 42:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

John 7:37-38 - If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink

On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."

In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'"

John 7:37-38

Commentary

On each day of the feast (the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles), the people came with palm branches and marched around the great altar. A priest took a golden pitcher filled with water from the Pool of Siloam, carried it to the temple, and poured it on the altar as an offering to God. This dramatic ceremony was a memorial of the water that flowed from the rock when the Israelites traveled through the wilderness. Perhaps at the very moment that the priest was pouring water on the altar, Jesus' voice rang out: If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
Jesus' timing couldn't have been more perfect or His claim more explicit: He was declaring Himself to be none other than the long-awaited Messiah who would pour out the Holy Spirit, as many in the crowd immediately recognized (7:39-43). In many ways 7:37 acts as the pivot for John's account. From that point on, the hostility of Jesus' enemies mounted until they finally arrested Him (18:12) in vain hopes of shutting off the "living water."

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Jn 7:37-39). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

John 1:16-18 - Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ

From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.

And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

John 1:16-18

Commentary

The law, given by Moses, was not a display of God's grace but God's demand for holiness. God designed the law as a means to demonstrate the unrighteousness of man in order to show the need for a Savior, Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:19, 20; Gal. 3:10-14, 21-26). Furthermore, the law revealed only a part of truth and was preparatory in nature. The reality or full truth toward which the law pointed came through the person of Jesus Christ.

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Jn 1:17). Nashville: Word Pub.

No one has seen God?

God is Spirit (4:24) and is invisible (Col. 1:15, 1 Tim. 1:17) unless God chooses to reveal Himself. Humans cannot look at God and live (Ex. 33:20). Abraham, the friend of God, did not see God. Even Moses, the lawgiver, could not look at God's face (Ex. 33:22, 23). However, the Son is in intimate relationship with the Father, face-to-face with God (1:1; 6:46; 1 John. 1:2). God became visible to human eyes in the man Jesus. It is through seeing the Son that we see God. We cannot see Him today, but we know Him through His word.

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Jn 1:18). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.