THE POWER OF JESUS' WORD

Passage: Luke 4:31-37

Key verse: 32

NIV

Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit(A)

31 Then he went down to Capernaum,(B) a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. 32 They were amazed at his teaching,(C) because his words had authority.(D)

33 In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, 34 “Go away! What do you want with us,(E) Jesus of Nazareth?(F) Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are(G)—the Holy One of God!”(H)

35 “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly.(I) “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.

36 All the people were amazed(J) and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority(K) and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!” 37 And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.(L)

Read full chapter
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Jesus Heals a Man with an Unclean Demon

31 (A)And he (B)went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And (C)he was teaching them (D)on the Sabbath, 32 and (E)they were astonished at his teaching, (F)for his word possessed authority. 33 And (G)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![a] (H)What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? (I)I know who you are—(J)the Holy One of God.” 35 But Jesus (K)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 (L)they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? (M)For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” 37 And (N)reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Luke 4:34 Or Leave us alone
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Jesus' word stirs up Satan (31-34)

When Jesus taught in the synagogue of Capernaum, his powerful word challenged the stronghold of Satan. Ordinary people were amazed at his teaching, but one demon-possessed man reacted violently. He recognized Jesus as the Holy One of God, but he did not want to submit to his Lordship. To know Jesus and not follow him is to reject truth and live according to the devil's lies.

2. Come out of him (35-37)

The power of God's word is stronger than Satan's grip. At Jesus' word, the evil spirit convulsed the man and came out violently. The man was free, and the onlookers were amazed at the power and authority of Jesus' words. God's love and power will set free all men who are tormented by the devil. In our spiritual struggle, we must take hold of God's word, so that he can work in and through us.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your living and powerful word. Defeat in me the power of Satan so that I may serve you without fear.

One Word: Jesus' word has power