Luke 4:36-40

Luke 4:36 (KJB)
And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.

The group in the synagogue had heard the teachings of Jesus and stated that he spoke as one having authority. Then in only a few minutes, they had witnessed the authority and its results. Then the questioning among themselves began to take place. They had seen exorcisms before but normally they are done with elaborate formulas. This was not the case with Jesus because all He did was to speak to the devils and command them to be quiet and to leave the man’s body and they did. This is why they asked what a word is this? No one ever saw anything like this before. Then they were wondering what new doctrine is this? What they were hearing was the Gospel of Christ and now they were seeing the results of that true Gospel. The teaching of the law could not accomplish this only the teaching of the true Gospel which is Christ centered could accomplish this. Not only did they realize Jesus spoke with authority, they witnessed that authority in a big way and knew that it was not just another paper teaching but something very real. They were amazed at the fact that Jesus was able to command the evil spirits and that they obeyed Him immediately. Even after an event like this, Capernaum was known for its unbelief. (Mat 11:23 KJV) And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

Luke 4:37 (KJB)
And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about.

The astonishment which the people in the synagogue experienced was not one of joy because the Kingdom of God was here but more of an uneasiness because of what they saw. Given the fact that Capernaum was listed among those who were in disbelief of Jesus, the type of fame which was spread broad was probably some type of alarm that people needed to beware. Many who came to Jesus later did not come for salvation but came for a miracle of some kind or to debate Him.

Luke 4:38 (KJB)
And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her.

(1 Cor 9:5 KJV) Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? Peter was married and according to 1 Corinthians 9:5, his wife would accompany them on their missionary journeys. Here Jesus enters the home of Peter in Capernaum and finds that his mother in law is sick with a fever and immediately they told Jesus of her condition. In those days, even a simple fever could be a death sentence. From the verse, it seems that her fever was so bad that she had to be bedridden.

Luke 4:39 (KJB)
And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.

(Mat 8:15 KJV) And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them. Jesus seeing that she was bedridden with a fever, takes her by the hand and instantly the fever left her and she gained back her strength in an instant and was able to minister to their needs. The Lord Jesus Christ did not only heal by speaking the words but also through just holding the hand of a sick person. This gives us another insight into the fact that when a person become saved, they are instantly qualified to begin working in the Kingdom of God. Peter’s mother in law did not stay in bed but she got up immediately and ministered. This is how we must teach young Christians, that they are to become involved with ministry as soon as they can and this trains them in the early years and as they get older in the faith, they will continue to desire to do ministry. (Prov 22:6 KJV) Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. It is not only training a little child from birth but training of a new Christian at the point of their new birth. If we wait for laziness to set in then we will have just one more church person with excuses.

Luke 4:40 (KJB)
Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.

As soon as the word spread that Jesus was in Capernaum at Peter’s home, the people who were devil possessed and sick with diseases were brought to the home of Peter. Since this was the sabbath day, the people had waited until it was officially over so they waited until evening and then the crowds started heading to the house of Peter. Jesus, just by His word, had cast the devils out of the people and healed those who were sick of various diseases. Here we read that Jesus had healed all that were sick and none left that day disappointed.

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