Luke – Chapter 4

New Testament44 Verses

Chapter Summary

"And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from the Jordan and was led the by the spirit into the desert," — so begins Luke 4. The chapter centers on Elijah, Simon and Elisha. Across its 44 verses, two threads run through the text: healing and family and covenant relationships. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from the Jordan and was led the by the spirit into the desert,

2For the space of forty days, and was tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing in those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry.

3And the devil said to him: If thou be the Son of God, say to this stone that it be made bread.

4And Jesus answered him: is written that Man liveth not by bread alone, but by every word of God.

5And the devil led him into a high mountain and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

6And he said to him: To thee will I give all this power and the glory of them. For to me they are delivered: and to whom I will, I give them.

7If thou therefore wilt adore before me, all shall be thine.

8And Jesus answering said to him. It is written: Thou shalt adore the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

9And he brought him to Jerusalem and set him on a pinnacle of the temple and said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself from hence.

10For it is written that He hath given his angels charge over thee that they keep thee.

11And that in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone.

12And Jesus answering, said to him: It is said: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

13And all the temptation being ended, the devil departed from him for a time.

14And Jesus returned in the power of the spirit, into Galilee: and the fame of him went out through the whole country.

15And he taught in their synagogues and was magnified by all.

16And he came to Nazareth, where he was brought up: and he went into the synagogue, according to his custom, on the sabbath day: and he rose up to read.

17And the book of Isaias the prophet was delivered unto him. And as he unfolded the book, he found the place where it was written:

18The spirit of the Lord is upon me. Wherefore he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he hath sent me to heal the contrite of heart,

19To preach deliverance to the captives and sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of reward.

20And when he had folded the book, he restored it to the minister and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.

21And he began to say to them: This day is fulfilled this scripture in your ears.

22And all gave testimony to him. And they wondered at the words of grace that proceeded from his mouth. And they said: Is not this the son of Joseph?

23And he said to them: Doubtless you will say to me this similitude: Physician, heal thyself. As great things as we have heard done in Capharnaum, do also here in thy own country.

24And he said: Amen I say to you that no prophet is accepted in his own country.

25In truth I say to You, there were many widows in the days of Elias in Israel, when heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there was a great famine throughout all the earth.

26And to none of them was Elias sent, but to Sarepta of Sidon, to a widow woman.

27And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet: and none of them was cleansed but Naaman the Syrian.

28And all they in the synagogue, hearing these things, were filled with anger.

29And they rose up and thrust him out of the city: and they brought him to the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.

30But he passing through the midst of them, went his way.

31And he went down into Capharnaum, a city of Galilee: and there he taught them on the sabbath days.

32And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his speech was with power.

33And in the synagogue there was a man who had an unclean devil: and he cried out with a loud voice,

34Saying: Let us alone. What have we to do with thee, Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the holy one of God.

35And Jesus rebuked him, saying: Hold thy peace and go out of him. And when the devil had thrown him into the midst, he went out of him and hurt him not at all.

36And there came fear upon all; and they talked among themselves, saying: What word is this, for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they go out?

37And the fame of him was published into every place of the country.

38And Jesus rising up out of the synagogue, went into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever: and they besought him for her.

39And standing over her, he commanded the fever: and it left her. And immediately rising, she ministered to them.

40And when the sun was down, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them to him. But he, laying his hands on every one of them, healed them.

41And devils went out from many, crying out and saying: Thou art the son of God. And rebuking them he suffered them not to speak; for they knew that he was Christ.

42And when it was day, going out he went into a desert place: and the multitudes sought him, and came unto him. And they stayed him that should not depart from them.

43To whom he said: To other cities also I must preach the kingdom of God: for therefore am I sent.

44And he was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.

Important Verses in Luke 4

And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from the Jordan and was led the by the spirit into the desert,

Luke 4:1

And Jesus answering said to him. It is written: Thou shalt adore the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Luke 4:8

And Jesus answering, said to him: It is said: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Luke 4:12

The spirit of the Lord is upon me. Wherefore he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he hath sent me to heal the contrite of heart,

Luke 4:18

Historical Context

As a New Testament book, Luke was written with gentile Christians, assured that salvation in Christ is for all peoples in view. Chapter 4 of 24 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 44 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Elijah, Simon, Elisha and Isaiah appear at the center of the events recorded here. The chapter begins: "And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from the Jordan and was led the by the spirit into the desert," The final verse reads: "And he was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee. " The wider setting of Luke is this: Luke, the only Gentile author in Scripture, wrote an ordered account 'for Theophilus' emphasizing God's mercy for the poor, sinners, women, and outsiders. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Luke around About AD 80-90.

Who Wrote It

Luke, the beloved physician, companion of St. Paul

When It Was Written

About AD 80-90

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of Luke 4 presents a concrete episode in the history of Jesus as Savior of all peoples, especially the poor. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from the Jordan and was led the by the spirit into the desert," The passage repeatedly touches on healing and restoration.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of Jesus as Savior of all peoples, especially the poor. Luke emphasizes God's mercy and the role of the Holy Spirit (CIC 714). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 461).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Luke 4 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • Christ is the Divine Physician who heals both body and soul.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.

People in This Chapter

Elijah2 mentionsSimon2 mentionsElisha1 mentionIsaiah1 mentionJoseph1 mentionNaaman1 mention

Reflection for Today

Luke Chapter 4, containing 44 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation, offers a distinct passage for prayer and meditation.

The Magisterium teaches that every biblical passage must be read in light of Christ, the center of Scripture (CIC 133). Here the emphasis falls on the Eucharist as source and summit, which shapes how the Church understands Jesus as Savior of all peoples, especially the poor.

Entrust your meditation to Mary, who pondered God's Word in her heart. Through her intercession, may the message of the Eucharist as source and summit bear fruit in humility, courage, and charity this day.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Luke Chapter 4 about?

Luke 4 contains 44 verses. It opens with "And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from the Jordan and was led the by the spirit into the desert," and closes with "And he was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee. ". The book as a whole is gospel.

What is a key verse in Luke 4?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from the Jordan and was led the by the spirit into the desert," It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Luke Chapter 4?

This chapter mentions Elijah, Simon, Elisha, Isaiah, Joseph, among others.

Who wrote Luke and when?

Luke, the beloved physician, companion of St. Paul. About AD 80-90.

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