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4. Jesus Delivers a Man from an Unclean Spirit

Jesus Delivers a Man from an Unclean Spirit

Luke 4:31-37

He came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. He was teaching them on the Sabbath day, 32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word was with authority.

33 In the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, 34 saying, “Ah! what have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know you who you are: the Holy One of God!”

35 Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” When the demon had thrown him down in the middle of them, he came out of him, having done him no harm.

36 Amazement came on all, and they spoke together, one with another, saying, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!”

37 News about him went out into every place of the surrounding region.

Mark 1:21-28

They went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught. 22 They were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes.

23 Immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, 24 saying, “Ha! What do we have to do with you, Jesus, you Nazarene? Have you come to destroy us? I know you who you are: the Holy One of God!”

25 Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”

26 The unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 They were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching? For with authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him!”

28 The report of him went out immediately everywhere into all the region of Galilee and its surrounding area.

Key Verses:

Luke 4:35 – Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” When the demon had thrown him down in the middle of them, he came out of him, having done him no harm.

Insights: Jesus came to set captives free.

  • Remember, where he was on the last Sabbath? In his home town, Nazareth, and he was in the temple there. He read from Isaiah 61 – “The spirit of the Lord is upon me…”
  • The hometown folk were also amazed at their teaching, but he challenged them and it struck a raw nerve. They drove him out of town and wanted to kill him.
  • But this Sabbath he was back in Galilee where the people received him. They were astonished at his teaching which was with authority.
  • However, it is interesting to note that the demon in this man knew who Jesus was and what his mission was – to come and destroy them.
  • The name of Jesus terrifies the evil spirits. Jesus has given believers authority over them.
  • The demons knew who Jesus was, but Jesus comands them to be silent.
  • With one command he tells the demon to come out.
  • The demon comes out after throwing the man to the ground. But note he was not harmed.

You were dead, because you were sinful and were not God’s people. But God let Christ make you alive, when he forgave all our sins. God wiped out the charges that were against us for disobeying the Law of Moses. He took them away and nailed them to the cross. There Christ defeated all powers and forces. He let the whole world see them being led away as prisoners when he celebrated his victory. (Colossians 2:13-15 CEV)

  • The prison wardens became the prisoners!
  • The captors became the captives!
  • The oppressors became the oppressed!

We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm. (Ephesians 6:12-13 CEV)

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