Luke 4:43

4:31-44 Christ's preaching much affected the people; and a working power went with it to the consciences of men. These miracles showed Christ to be a controller and conqueror of Satan, a healer of diseases. Where Christ gives a new life, in recovery from sickness, it should be a new life, spent more than ever in his service, to his glory. Our business should be to spread abroad Christ's fame in every place, to beseech him in behalf of those diseased in body or mind, and to use our influence in bringing sinners to him, that his hands may be laid upon them for their healing. He cast the devils out of many who were possessed. We were not sent into this world to live to ourselves only, but to glorify God, and to do good in our generation. The people sought him, and came unto him. A desert is no desert, if we are with Christ there. He will continue with us, by his word and Spirit, and extend the same blessings to other nations, till, throughout the earth, the servants and worshippers of Satan are brought to acknowledge him as the Christ, the Son of God, and to find redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.

And he said unto them,.... In answer to their importunate requests: I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also; as well as to Capernaum; and though they did not express their desire of his continuance with them, in order to preach the Gospel to them; yet Christ signifies, that a principal part of his work lay in preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, the Gospel dispensation on earth, the doctrines and ordinances of it, as well as the things which relate to the kingdom of glory; as what is the saints meetness for it, their regeneration, and their right unto it, which lies in his righteousness: and that as he had preached these things at Capernaum, there was a necessity upon him to preach them in other cities of Galilee and Judea: for therefore am I sent; as he was by his heavenly Father, and had himself also undertook and engaged to do it.

Luke 4:43 . ὅτι καὶ : the purpose of Jesus is the same in Lk. as in Mk., but differently expressed, in fuller, more developed terms, to preach the good news of the Kingdom of God. Of course all must hear the news; they could not gainsay that.— ἀπεστάλην , I was sent, referring to His Divine mission; in place of Mk.’s ἐξῆλθον , referring to the purpose of Jesus in leaving Capernaum. Lk.’s version, compared with Mk.’s, is secondary, and in a different tone. Mk.’s realism is replaced by decorum : what it is fitting to make Jesus do and say. Flight eliminated, and a reference to His Divine mission substituted for an apology for flight. Vide notes on Mk.

(43) I must preach. —Better, I must declare the glad tidings of the kingdom. The Greek verb is literally “to evangelise,” and is quite distinct from that commonly translated “preach.” To other cities also.—Literally, to the other cities, with a special reference, probably, to those of Galilee.

43 . I must ] “It behoves me”—the ‘must’ of moral obligation. preach ] Rather, tell the glad tidings of . The word is “evangelize,” not kêrussô the word of the next verse. the kingdom of God ] The acceptance of the Faith of Christ, whether in the heart or in the world, was illustrated by Christ in its small beginnings,—the mustard seed ( Luke 13:19 ); in its hidden working ( Luke 13:21 ); and in its final triumph. to other cities ] Rather, to the rest of the cities . In St Mark He says, Let us go elsewhere to the adjoining country villages.

The language in which our Lord's reply is given by Luke (Luke 4:43) expresses the high necessity under which, in this as in every other step of His work, He acted—"I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also; for therefore"—or, "to this end"—"am I sent." An act of self-denial it doubtless was, to resist such pleadings to return to Capernaum. But there were overmastering considerations on the other side. Mr 1:40-45. H EALING OF A L EPER. ( = Matthew 8:1-4; Luke 5:12-16). See on Matthew 8:1-4. ## CHAPTER 2 Mr 2:1-12. H EALING OF A P ARALYTIC. ( = Matthew 9:1-8; Luke 5:17-26). This incident, as remarked on Matthew 9:1, appears to follow next in order of time after the cure of the leper (Mr 1:40-45). 1. And again he entered into Capernaum —"His own city" (Matthew 9:1). and it was noised that he was in the house —no doubt of Simon Peter (Mr 1:29). 2. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door —This is one of Mark's graphic touches. No doubt in this case, as the scene occurred at his informant's own door, these details are the vivid recollections of that honored disciple. and he preached the word unto them —that is, indoors; but in the hearing, doubtless, of the multitude that pressed around. Had He gone forth, as He naturally would, the paralytic's faith would ## have had no such opportunity to display itself.

But when he had put them all out —The word is strong—"turned them all out"; meaning all those who were making this noise, and any others that may have been there from sympathy, that only those might be present who were most nearly concerned, and those whom He had Himself brought as witnesses of the great act about to be done. he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him —Peter, and James, and John. and entereth in where the damsel was lying. 41. And he took the damsel by the hand —as He did Peter's mother-in-law (Mr 1:31). and said unto her, Talitha cumi —The words are Aramaic, or Syro-Chaldaic, the then language of Palestine. Mark loves to give such wonderful words just as they were spoken. See Mr 7:34; 14:36. 42. And straightway the damsel —The word here is different from that in Mr 5:39-41, and signifies "young maiden," or "little girl." arose, and walked —a vivid touch evidently from an eye-witness. And they were astonished with a great astonishment —The language here is the strongest. 43. And he charged them straitly —strictly. that no man should know it —The only reason we can assign for this is His desire not to let the public feeling regarding Him come too precipitately to a crisis. and commanded that something should be given her to eat —in token of perfect restoration. CHAPTER 6 Mr 6:1-6. C HRIST R EJECTED AT N AZARETH. ( = Matthew 13:54-58; Luke 4:16-30). See on Luke 4:16-30. Mr 6:7-13. M ISSION OF THE T WELVE A POSTLES.