Luke 4:22

“And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?”

Context:Luke 4:22 is part of a larger passage that describes an episode in the life of Jesus. Jesus had returned to his hometown of Nazareth after being tempted in the wilderness by Satan. On the Sabbath day, Jesus went into the synagogue, where he was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He read a portion of Isaiah 61, which spoke about the anointing of the Spirit of the Lord. After reading, Jesus declared that the scripture was fulfilled in their hearing.

Witness and Wonder:In Luke 4:22, it says that all who were present in the synagogue “bore him witness” and “wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.” The people were amazed by Jesus’ teaching and the authority with which he spoke. They recognised that there was something extraordinary about his words and his manner of speaking.

Recognition of Jesus:The people in the synagogue were familiar with Jesus since he grew up in their midst. Their response to Jesus’ teaching raises the question, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” They found it remarkable that someone they had known as Joseph’s son could speak with such wisdom and authority. This reaction shows their surprise and struggle to reconcile Jesus’ humble origins with his extraordinary words.

Fulfillment of Prophecy:By reading from the scroll of Isaiah and declaring the fulfilment of the scripture, Jesus was identifying himself as the Messiah, the Anointed One. The passage from Isaiah 61 that Jesus read speaks of preaching good tidings to the poor, healing the brokenhearted, delivering captives, and opening the eyes of the blind. In Jesus, these prophetic words were coming to fruition.

Confirmation of Jesus’ Identity:The response of the people in the synagogue, while initially one of wonder and recognition, eventually turned into doubt and rejection. They questioned how Jesus, whom they considered to be an ordinary person, could make such claims. This rejection foreshadows the broader rejection of Jesus as he continued his ministry.

Overall, Luke 4:22 highlights the amazement and initial acceptance of Jesus’ teaching, as well as the struggle of the people to reconcile their familiarity with him as Joseph’s son with the profound words he spoke. It also serves as an early indication of the division and rejection Jesus would face throughout his ministry.