LUKE 4:31–37
HEALING OF A MAN WITH AN UNCLEAN SPIRIT
BRIEF INTERPRETATION
Text – Luke 4:31–37
31 Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the sabbath,
32 and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority.
33 In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out in a loud voice,
34 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
35 Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be quiet! Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him any harm.
36 They were all amazed and said to one another, “What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.”
37 And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region.
Historical and Jewish Context
Capernaum, located on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee, became a central location for Jesus’ ministry. Synagogues served not only as places of prayer and Scripture reading but also as venues for public instruction. In the Jewish worldview of the time, demonic possession was seen as a sign of spiritual conflict and impurity. Public exorcisms were rare and often associated with extreme holiness or divine authority. The title “Holy One of God” reflects deep spiritual insight into Jesus’ identity, ironically coming from a demon, not from the people.
Catholic Theological Perspective
This passage reveals Christ’s divine authority over both natural and supernatural realities (CCC 447–450). His word alone casts out demons, underscoring that His authority is not derived from rituals or incantations but from His divine person. The exorcism confirms Jesus’ role as the one who came to destroy the works of the devil (CCC 394, 550). It also demonstrates that His mission includes liberating humanity from spiritual bondage, inaugurating the Kingdom of God. The people’s amazement at His “word” prefigures the power of God’s Word in the Church’s teaching and sacraments.
Parallels in Scripture
Mark 1:21–28 – Parallel account of the same exorcism
Matthew 8:16 – Jesus casts out spirits with a word
Acts 16:16–18 – Paul casts out a spirit in Jesus’ name
James 2:19 – Even demons believe and tremble
1 John 3:8 – The Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the devil
Key Terms
Capernaum – Jesus’ base of ministry in Galilee
Unclean Spirit – A demon that opposes God and afflicts people
Holy One of God – A title acknowledging Jesus’ divine identity
Rebuke – A command from divine authority
Authority – The divine power with which Jesus teaches and acts
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This reading appears in Ordinary Time, highlighting the authority of Christ’s word and the reality of spiritual warfare. It reminds the faithful that Jesus came to free us from sin and the influence of evil. The Church continues His ministry through exorcism, sacraments, and the preaching of the Word.
Conclusion
Jesus’ authority is revealed not only in His teaching but also in His power to liberate souls from evil. The demon’s recognition of Jesus contrasts with the crowd’s limited understanding. Christ’s mission brings healing, freedom, and the restoration of God’s reign over creation.
Reflection
Do I recognize the power of Christ’s Word in my life?
Am I aware of the spiritual battles I face and seeking strength in Christ?
How do I respond to Jesus’ authority—with resistance or faith?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You are the Holy One of God. Speak Your word into my life and free me from anything that separates me from You. Strengthen me to live in the freedom of Your Kingdom. Let me always trust in Your authority over sin and darkness. Amen.
DETAILED INTERPRETATION
INTRODUCTION
Luke 4:31–37 presents Jesus teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum and confronting an unclean spirit. In first-century Jewish belief, illness and demonic possession were often understood as signs of brokenness affecting the whole person and community. The synagogue was the center of religious life, a place of Scripture, prayer, and instruction. Jesus’ presence there reveals that God’s saving action enters ordinary communal worship, bringing healing and restoration where disorder and oppression exist.
Historically, the people are astonished not only by Jesus’ teaching but by the authority with which He speaks. Unlike the scribes, who relied on tradition and citation, Jesus speaks with direct divine authority. His command over the unclean spirit shows that God’s kingdom is not merely proclaimed but actively present. The demon’s recognition of Jesus as “the Holy One of God” reveals a deeper truth: even forces of evil cannot deny His identity and power.
Lk 4:31 — “Then he went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the sabbath,”
This verse marks a clear transition from rejection to mission. After being driven out of Nazareth, Jesus does not withdraw or abandon His calling. Instead, He goes down to Capernaum, a lakeside town that will become a central base of His Galilean ministry. Rejection becomes redirection; opposition becomes opportunity.
Luke emphasizes continuity in Jesus’ mission. What He attempted in Nazareth, He now carries forward elsewhere. The sabbath setting highlights Jesus’ fidelity to worship and teaching, even after hostility and danger. God’s Word is not silenced by rejection; it simply finds new ground.
Historical and Jewish Context
Capernaum was a significant Galilean town, located along major trade routes near the Sea of Galilee.
It housed a synagogue and a mixed population, making it receptive to teaching and interaction.
Teaching on the sabbath was customary, providing Jesus a regular setting to proclaim God’s Word.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this verse shows the perseverance of Christ’s mission. The Church teaches that rejection does not nullify vocation; rather, God often advances His work through unexpected paths (cf. CCC 541, 572).
Spiritually, Jesus models resilience in ministry. Fidelity to God’s call requires the courage to move forward even when previous efforts are rejected.
Key Terms
Capernaum — new center of ministry after rejection
Went down — geographical and symbolic movement
Taught — unwavering commitment to proclamation
Conclusion
Lk 4:31 proclaims that God’s mission continues despite rejection. Jesus carries the Word forward with calm perseverance, trusting the Father’s plan rather than human response.
Reflection
How do I respond when my efforts to live or proclaim the Gospel are rejected? Do I allow disappointment to stop me, or do I trust God to open new paths?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You did not allow rejection to silence Your mission. Give me perseverance and trust, so that I may continue faithfully in the work You entrust to me, wherever You lead. Amen.
Lk 4:32 — “and they were astonished at his teaching, because his word was spoken with authority.”
This verse highlights the immediate impact of Jesus’ teaching in Capernaum. Unlike the rejection He faced in Nazareth, the people here respond with astonishment. What sets Jesus apart is not merely the content of His teaching, but the authority with which He speaks. His words do not rely on citation or debate; they carry intrinsic power and conviction.
Luke draws attention to a fundamental difference between Jesus and other teachers of the Law. Scribes often taught by appealing to tradition and precedent, but Jesus speaks as one who possesses authority in Himself. His word does not interpret God’s will—it reveals it. The listeners sense that they are encountering something radically new.
Historical and Jewish Context
Jewish teachers typically grounded their instruction in earlier rabbinic authorities.
Authority was associated with learning and tradition rather than personal conviction.
Jesus’ manner of teaching breaks this pattern, evoking both wonder and recognition of divine authority.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this verse affirms Jesus as the definitive teacher and Word of God. The Church teaches that Christ teaches with divine authority because He is the Truth Himself, not merely a messenger of truth (cf. CCC 427, 581).
Spiritually, the authority of Jesus’ word continues in the life of the Church through Sacred Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium.
Key Terms
Astonished — recognition of something beyond the ordinary
Authority — divine power inherent in Christ’s word
Teaching — revelation, not mere instruction
Conclusion
Lk 4:32 proclaims that Jesus teaches with divine authority. His word does not inform alone—it transforms, confronts, and reveals God’s presence.
Reflection
Do I listen to Jesus’ word as one voice among many, or as the authoritative voice that shapes my life? How do I allow His teaching to challenge and transform me?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, Your word is truth spoken with authority. Open my heart to receive it with faith and obedience, and let Your teaching shape every aspect of my life. Amen.
Lk 4:33 — “In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out in a loud voice,”
This verse introduces a dramatic confrontation that reveals the concrete power of Jesus’ authority. His teaching is not merely impressive in words; it provokes a reaction in the spiritual realm. The presence of an unclean demon within a man attending the synagogue underscores the tension between God’s holiness and the reality of evil even within places of worship.
The demon’s loud cry is a sign of disturbance and exposure. Jesus’ authoritative word unsettles the forces opposed to God. What astonished the people now agitates the demonic realm. Luke shows that Jesus’ mission involves not only teaching but liberation—truth spoken with authority drives darkness into the open.
Historical and Jewish Context
In Jewish thought, unclean spirits were associated with disorder, impurity, and opposition to God’s purposes.
Synagogues were places of prayer and teaching, making the presence of a demon especially jarring.
Exorcisms were known in Judaism, but typically involved rituals or invocations rather than sheer authority.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this verse reveals Jesus’ authority over evil spirits as a sign of the inbreaking Kingdom of God. The Church teaches that Christ’s exorcisms manifest His victory over Satan and anticipate the definitive defeat of evil through His Paschal Mystery (cf. CCC 550).
Spiritually, the verse reminds believers that Christ’s presence exposes and confronts evil. Liberation begins when God’s truth is proclaimed.
Key Terms
Unclean demon — power opposed to God’s holiness
Cried out — exposure and resistance to divine authority
Synagogue — place where holiness confronts impurity
Conclusion
Lk 4:33 reveals that Jesus’ authoritative word does more than teach—it confronts and exposes evil. The Kingdom of God advances through truth that liberates.
Reflection
Do I allow Christ’s word to confront what is disordered within me? Am I open to the healing and freedom He offers?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You have authority over all powers of darkness. Speak Your liberating word into my life, free me from all that opposes You, and lead me into the fullness of Your light. Amen.
Lk 4:34 — “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.”
This verse records the direct confrontation between Jesus and the demonic power now exposed by His authoritative presence. The demon recognizes what the people struggle to accept: Jesus’ true identity. The cry is filled with fear and hostility, not faith. The demon knows that Jesus’ presence signals judgment and defeat.
The question “What have you to do with us?” expresses total opposition. Jesus represents a holiness that cannot coexist with evil. The title “Holy One of God” is a profound confession, yet it comes from a place of terror, not discipleship. Knowledge without surrender becomes resistance.
Historical and Jewish Context
“Holy One of God” echoes Old Testament language used for those consecrated to God’s service (cf. Ps 16:10; Is 49:7).
Demons were believed to possess supernatural knowledge, including recognition of divine authority.
Jesus’ identification as “of Nazareth” highlights the irony that His humble origin does not conceal His divine holiness.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this verse affirms Christ’s divine holiness and absolute authority over evil. The Church teaches that demons recognize Christ’s lordship but reject it in rebellion (cf. CCC 391–395).
Spiritually, the verse warns that intellectual recognition of Jesus is not the same as saving faith. True faith requires obedience and trust, not mere acknowledgment.
Key Terms
Holy One of God — divine consecration and authority
Destroy us — inevitable defeat of evil by Christ
Recognition — knowledge without conversion
Conclusion
Lk 4:34 proclaims that even the powers of darkness recognize Jesus’ true identity. His holiness exposes and threatens all that is opposed to God.
Reflection
Do I recognize who Jesus truly is—and do I respond with obedience and trust? Or do I resist His authority even while acknowledging His truth?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, Holy One of God, purify my heart of all resistance to Your authority. Grant me not only knowledge of who You are, but the grace to follow You in faith and obedience. Amen.
Lk 4:35 — “Jesus rebuked him and said, ‘Be silent! Come out of him!’ Then the demon threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him any harm.”
This verse reveals the decisive authority of Jesus over evil. With a single command, Jesus silences the demon and expels it. There is no ritual, no incantation, no appeal to a higher power—His word alone is sufficient. The rebuke underscores that evil has no right to speak or remain in the presence of the Holy One of God.
The demon’s violent reaction highlights its resistance, yet the outcome is clear and controlled. The man is not harmed. Luke emphasizes this detail to show that Jesus’ authority liberates without destroying. What appears dramatic is, in truth, a manifestation of mercy and restoration. Evil is exposed, resisted, and expelled—but the human person is preserved.
Historical and Jewish Context
Jewish exorcistic practices often involved formulas, prayers, or the invocation of divine names.
Jesus’ direct command distinguishes Him from other exorcists and signals unique authority.
Public exorcisms reinforced the belief that God’s power was actively present among the people.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this verse powerfully illustrates Christ’s dominion over Satan. The Church teaches that Jesus’ exorcisms are signs that the Kingdom of God has come and that evil is being overthrown at its roots (cf. CCC 550).
Spiritually, the passage reassures believers that Christ’s authority brings true freedom. Liberation in Christ restores dignity and wholeness, never harm.
Key Terms
Rebuked — authoritative rejection of evil
Be silent — evil stripped of voice and influence
Came out — liberation and restoration
Conclusion
Lk 4:35 proclaims that Jesus’ word has absolute authority over evil. His command liberates the afflicted and reveals the nearness of God’s Kingdom.
Reflection
Do I trust in the authority of Christ’s word when facing spiritual struggles? Am I willing to let His truth silence what opposes God within me?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, Your word has power to free and restore. Speak Your liberating command into my life, silence every force that opposes You, and lead me into the freedom of Your Kingdom. Amen.
Lk 4:36 — “They were all amazed and said to one another, ‘What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!’”
This verse records the reaction of the people to the exorcism and deepens Luke’s emphasis on Jesus’ authority. The crowd is not merely impressed by the miracle itself but struck by the word of Jesus. His command reveals a power that is immediate, effective, and uncontested. What He speaks happens.
Luke deliberately places the focus on Jesus’ word rather than on technique or ritual. Authority and power flow directly from Him. The unclean spirits obey instantly, confirming that Jesus’ authority extends beyond teaching into the spiritual realm. The Kingdom of God is not theoretical; it is actively confronting and overcoming evil.
Historical and Jewish Context
In Jewish experience, exorcisms were rare and often elaborate, involving prayers and symbolic actions.
The immediacy of the demon’s obedience sets Jesus apart from all known healers or exorcists.
Amazement reflects recognition that something unprecedented is occurring among them.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this verse affirms the divine authority of Christ’s word. The Church teaches that Jesus exercises absolute dominion over evil spirits, revealing the arrival of God’s Kingdom in power (cf. CCC 550, 635).
Spiritually, the verse assures believers that Christ’s word remains powerful today—freeing, healing, and restoring those who submit to Him in faith.
Key Terms
Word — divine command with creative and liberating power
Authority and power — sovereignty of Christ over evil
Amazed — recognition of divine action
Conclusion
Lk 4:36 proclaims that Jesus’ word possesses divine authority. Evil obeys, the afflicted are freed, and God’s Kingdom is revealed as present and active.
Reflection
Do I believe in the power of Christ’s word to change my life? How do I respond when His word challenges or liberates me?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, Your word is living and powerful. Strengthen my faith in Your authority, and let Your truth bring freedom, healing, and peace into my life. Amen.
Lk 4:37 — “And the news about him spread everywhere in the surrounding region.”
This verse summarizes the immediate and far-reaching impact of Jesus’ ministry in Capernaum. What began with authoritative teaching and a single act of liberation now expands outward through testimony and witness. The power of Jesus’ word and His authority over evil cannot remain hidden. His presence generates movement, conversation, and expectation.
Luke emphasizes spread rather than spectacle. The Gospel advances through what people have seen and heard. The Kingdom of God grows as truth is encountered and shared. Jesus does not promote Himself; rather, His deeds speak, and the message carries itself beyond local boundaries.
Historical and Jewish Context
News in the ancient world spread primarily by word of mouth.
Galilee’s interconnected towns and trade routes allowed reports to travel quickly.
Miracles, especially exorcisms, were powerful signs that God was acting decisively among the people.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this verse reflects the missionary nature of Christ’s work. The Church teaches that encounter with Christ naturally leads to proclamation; evangelization flows from experience of God’s power and mercy (cf. CCC 849, 905).
Spiritually, the verse reminds believers that authentic witness does not require strategy alone—it flows from lives touched and transformed by Christ.
Key Terms
News — testimony arising from encounter
Spread — growth of the Kingdom through witness
Region — mission extending beyond one place
Conclusion
Lk 4:37 proclaims that the authority of Jesus cannot be contained. His word and works generate witness, and the message of God’s Kingdom moves outward to prepare hearts for faith.
Reflection
Does my encounter with Christ naturally lead me to share His work with others? How do my words and actions contribute to the spread of the Gospel?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You transform lives and send Your message outward through witness. Let my life reflect Your power and mercy, so that others may come to know You through what they see and hear. Amen.
CONCLUSION
For believers today, Luke 4:31–37 reminds us that Jesus brings liberation at every level—spiritual, emotional, and communal. His word has the power to confront and overcome all that diminishes human dignity. This passage invites us to trust in Christ’s authority when we face inner struggles, fears, or spiritual oppression, knowing that His presence brings peace and wholeness.
The Gospel also challenges us to listen attentively to Jesus’ teaching. True amazement should lead to faith and transformation, not mere curiosity. As Christ’s authority continues through the Church, believers are called to witness to His power by lives that reflect freedom, healing, and obedience to God’s word.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, You speak with divine authority and bring freedom to the oppressed. Enter the hidden places of our hearts and cast out whatever separates us from You. Strengthen our faith in Your power and help us to live in the freedom You offer. May Your word renew us and bring peace to our lives. Amen.