Luke 4

28, 29. when they heard these things--these allusions to the heathen, just as afterwards with Paul ( Acts 22:21 Acts 22:22 ).

29. rose up--broke up the service irreverently and rushed forth.
thrust him--with violence, as a prisoner in their hands.
brow, &c.--Nazareth, though not built on the ridge of a hill, is in part surrounded by one to the west, having several such precipices. (See 2 Chronicles 25:12 , 2 Kings 9:33 .) It was a mode of capital punishment not unusual among the Romans and others. This was the first insult which the Son of God received, and it came from "them of His own household!" ( Matthew 10:36 ).

30. passing through the midst, &c.--evidently in a miraculous way, though perhaps quite noiselessly, leading them to wonder afterwards what spell could have come over them, that they allowed Him to escape. (Similar escapes, however, in times of persecution, are not unexampled.)

31. down to Capernaum--It lay on the Sea of Galilee ( Matthew 4:13 ), whereas Nazareth lay high.

Luke 4:33-37 . DEMONIAC HEALED.

33. unclean--The frequency with which this character of impurity is applied to evil spirits is worthy of notice.
cried out, &c.--(See Matthew 8:29 , 3:11 ).

36. What a word--a word from the Lord of spirits.

Luke 4:38-41 . PETER'S MOTHER-IN-LAW AND MANY OTHERS, HEALED.

41. suffered them not to speak--The marginal reading ("to say that they knew him to be Christ") here is wrong. Our Lord ever refused testimony from devils, for the very reason why they were eager to give it, because He and they would thus seem to be one interest, as His enemies actually see also Acts 16:16-18 .)

Luke 4:42-44 . JESUS SOUGHT OUT AT MORNING PRAYER, AND ENTREATED TO STAY, DECLINES FROM THE URGENCY OF HIS WORK.

42. stayed him--"were staying Him," or sought to do it. What a contrast to the Gadarenes! The nature of His mission required Him to keep moving, that all might hear the glad tidings ( Matthew 8:34 ).

43. I must, &c.--but duty only could move Him to deny entreaties so grateful to His spirit.