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NASB | Luke 4:28 And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Luke 4:28 As they heard these things [about God's grace to these two Gentiles], the people in the synagogue were filled with a great rage; |
Bible Question:
In his relationships with people, Jesus seems to have started our very well. We read (Luke 2:52) that he increased in favour with God and man. I take it that that included the religious leaders. We seemed to be seeing the truth of Solomon’s statement in Proverbs 3: “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man“. In Luke 2:47 they seemed to be admiring him, as “And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers”.. In Luke 4 “All bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth”. In Matthew 7 they seemed to be impressed with the authority with which he spoke. We read that “the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. In Luke 8, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him”. Yet John says that he came unto his own and they received him not. Even as he spoke in their synagogue, filled with the Holy Spirit, fulfilling the word of God, their wrath was kindled against him (Luke 4:28) and they threw him out (verse 29). Why? It does not seem inappropriate to be asking why, because by John 7:19 Jesus himself is asking why. There is no question that they hated him (See John 7:7; John 15:18). Doubtless there are those who think that the answer to this question is easy, even obvious. But he said they hated him “without a cause” (John 15:25). It is the same thing that David had said before (Psalm 69:4). Why did they hate Jesus? And why had they hated David? |
Bible Answer: The answer seems quite clear now. So I will summarize, and sermonize a bit, and leave. Hostility. Does it help to understand it? Probably so. Jesus knew the reasons for it better than David did, and he bore up better under it. His asking why was apparently more for the benefit of his hearers than himself. When he cried, “My God! My God! Why?”, the Father did not answer. He did not need to answer, because they both knew why. Paul seems to have learned from him and he professed that he was crucified with him. He had taken up his cross, and he bore his cross with grace. May God help us in our day to do the same. Let us gird up our minds, for those who will live godly lives will suffer persecution. Let us not try to avoid it. If anyone is bewildered by this type of experience, let him read this thread again and take comfort. "For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds” (Hebrews 12:3). I will make this available to a wider audience by linking it to my site. I say this here deliberately, knowing full well that there are those who will resent the fact. Why the hostility? We know. Let us take the understanding that we have and go with him now, outside the gate, bearing his reproach. And the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. |