Luke 4:17-22
18-19. To have fixed on any passage announcing His sufferings (as Is 53:1-12), would have been unsuitable at that early stage of His ministry. But He selects a passage announcing the sublime object of His whole mission, its divine character, and His special endowments for it; expressed in the first person, and so singularly adapted to the first opening of the mouth in His prophetic capacity, that it seems as if made expressly for this occasion. It is from the well-known section of Isaiah's prophecies whose burden is that mysterious "Servant of the Lord," despised of man, abhorred of the nation, but before whom kings on seeing Him are to arise, and princes to worship; in visage more marred than any man and His form than the sons of men, yet sprinkling many nations; laboring seemingly in vain, and spending His strength for naught and in vain, yet Jehovah's Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and be His Salvation to the ends of the earth (Is 49:1-26, &c.). The quotation is chiefly from the Septuagint version, used in the synagogues. 20. the minister--the chazan, or synagogue-officer. all eyes ... fastened on Him--astounded at His putting in such claims. 21. began to say, &c.--His whole address was just a detailed application to Himself of this and perhaps other like prophecies. 22. gracious words--"the words of grace," referring both to the richness of His matter and the sweetness of His manner (Psa 45:2). Is not this, &c.--(See on Mt 13:54-56). They knew He had received no rabbinical education, and anything supernatural they seemed incapable of conceiving.
Copyright information for
JFB