Big Idea: Jesus came to his own and his own rejected him. Nazareth believes they have some claim on Jesus because of their familiarity with him. Jesus confronts this sense of entitlement and it almost gets him killed.
Nazareth’s ______________________ Response
Luke 4:22 (ESV) — 22 And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?”
Whereas the Greek expression “words of grace” may be understood as a descriptive genitive (i.e., “grace” describes the kind of words—gracious words), it is better to understand the expression as an objective genitive describing the content of his words, i.e., words concerning God’s grace, as in Acts 14:3; 20:32.
The Nazarenes suppose they were ripe for Jesus’ blessing. It appears that those from Nazareth believe they deserve a double portion of God’s blessing. The text indicates that they are expecting a certain level of favoritism from Jesus.
Jesus ________________________ Response
Luke 4:23 (ESV) — 23 And he said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘ “Physician, heal yourself.” What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.’ ”
Jesus responds by noting what the audience will ask of him. The future tense ἐρεῖτε (ereite, you will say) is not so much the use of a prophetic future (looking to what they will think) as it is vivid (telling what they are thinking). Jesus, the prophet, is reading their collective mind.
In Jesus’ response we see that he is addressing what Nazareth thinks Jesus is obligated to do for them.
No one deserves God’s blessing, which is why it is grace.
Romans 4:1–8 (ESV) — 1 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”
Romans 11:6 (ESV) — 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
Nazareth’s _________________________ Response
Luke 4:28–30 (ESV) — 28 When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. 29 And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. 30 But passing through their midst, he went away.
Those from Nazareth hate what Jesus says to them. This shows where their heart is. Their interest is not in Jesus, but in what Jesus could bring to them. Jesus confronts this sense of entitlement and is almost killed for it.
Luke 17:7–10 (ESV) — 7 “Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? 8 Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’ ”
