Luke 4:33 kjv

And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice,

Luke 4:33 nkjv

Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice,

Luke 4:33 niv

In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice,

Luke 4:33 esv

And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice,

Luke 4:33 nlt

Once when he was in the synagogue, a man possessed by a demon ? an evil spirit ? cried out, shouting,

Luke 4 verses

Luke 4 33 Meaning

Luke 4:33 describes Jesus' direct confrontation with spiritual forces in the Capernaum synagogue. It introduces a man possessed by an impure spirit, who immediately recognizes Jesus and cries out. This pivotal event demonstrates Jesus' divine authority over evil, marking His arrival as a powerful deliverer who brings God's Kingdom to bear against the forces of darkness. It reveals that His ministry extends beyond teaching and healing physical ailments to liberating individuals from demonic control, thereby fulfilling the redemptive mission He declared.

Luke 4 33 Context

Luke chapter 4 chronicles the official commencement of Jesus' public ministry. It begins with His victorious forty-day temptation in the wilderness, where He defeats Satan's direct assaults (Lk 4:1-13). Following this, Jesus returns to Galilee, teaching with great power in the synagogues and gaining widespread renown (Lk 4:14-15). His ministry is dramatically unveiled in His hometown of Nazareth, where He reads from the scroll of Isaiah 61, proclaiming His anointing to bring good news, liberty, sight, and release, heralding the arrival of God's favor and kingdom (Lk 4:16-21). Despite the initial amazement, His challenging words lead to outright rejection and an attempt on His life by the Nazareth community (Lk 4:22-30). Consequently, Jesus moves to Capernaum, which becomes a key center for His Galilean ministry (Lk 4:31). Verse 33 thus marks His very first recorded miracle in Capernaum—an exorcism performed in the synagogue on the Sabbath. This immediate confrontation with an "unclean spirit" serves as tangible proof of the "deliverance" He preached, instantly demonstrating His unique authority, power, and the reality of His Kingdom against the forces of darkness in a very public setting.

Luke 4 33 Word analysis

• In the synagogue (ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ, en tē synagōgē):

  • συναγωγῇ (synagōgē): "Synagogue," meaning "a gathering together" or "assembly place." This was the center of Jewish community life, prayer, and instruction. Its mention is significant as it shows that even in a place consecrated for worship and teaching, the presence of evil was a stark reality. Jesus directly challenges and cleanses this sacred space.

• there was a man (ἦν ἄνθρωπος, ēn anthrōpos):

  • ἦν (ēn): "was," the imperfect tense of "to be," indicates the man's pre-existing condition, establishing him as a known individual in the community, heightening the impact of Jesus' intervention.
  • ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos): "a man," emphasizes his humanity, making his torment pitiable and Jesus' act of liberation all the more powerful as it restores a fellow human.

• possessed by a demon, an impure spirit (ἔχων πνεῦμα δαιμονίου ἀκαθάρτου, echōn pneuma daimoniou akathartou):

  • ἔχων (echōn): "having" or "possessing," clearly indicates that the man was under the control or indwelt by a separate spiritual entity.
  • πνεῦμα (pneuma): "spirit," here refers specifically to a supernatural evil entity, distinct from the human spirit.
  • δαιμονίου (daimoniou): "of a demon," a common New Testament term for a malevolent spirit, signifying its evil nature.
  • ἀκαθάρτου (akathartou): "unclean" or "impure." This term is highly significant, reflecting the demon's defiling nature, both spiritually and morally. It signifies not merely ritual uncleanness but a malevolent force that pollutes and perverts. Jesus' expulsion of such a spirit demonstrates His ultimate authority over all forms of defilement and His power to bring true spiritual purity. This challenges any notion that impurity could only be ritual or physical, showing its deep spiritual roots.

• He cried out at the top of his voice (καὶ ἀνέκραξεν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ, kai anekraxen phōnē megalē):

  • ἀνέκραξεν (anekraxen): "cried out," or "shouted loudly," signifying a sudden, often involuntary, and distressed outcry. This verb depicts a forceful, desperate, and often unprompted vocalization, characteristic of the demon's startled reaction to Jesus' holy presence.
  • φωνῇ μεγάλῃ (phōnē megalῃ): "with a great voice" or "a loud voice." This emphasizes the force and publicity of the demon's utterance through the man. The demon did not whisper but declared itself publicly, ensuring that all present would witness the confrontation and Jesus' ensuing authority. This public outcry serves to draw attention, confirm the demon's presence, and makes Jesus' subsequent command even more compelling and undeniable.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "In the synagogue there was a man": This phrase immediately grounds the spiritual conflict in a specific, recognizable, and typically sacred location. It highlights that the influence of evil is pervasive, not excluded even from places of worship. The man's presence signifies that human lives can be directly invaded and controlled by these dark forces, making the situation a public test for Jesus' authority.
  • "possessed by a demon, an impure spirit": This definitive description leaves no room for doubt that the man's condition is due to an external, malevolent, supernatural entity. The term "impure spirit" signifies not merely ritual defilement but a deep spiritual and moral contamination. Jesus' ability to command such a being highlights His role as the bringer of true spiritual cleanliness and freedom, asserting His power over the spiritual realm.
  • "He cried out at the top of his voice": The demon's loud, involuntary outburst reveals its terror and recognition of Jesus' immediate presence as a superior power. This public, uncontrolled cry serves as a crucial testimony from the enemy itself, confirming Jesus' unique identity and power to all witnesses. It establishes the authority dynamic: the demon knows Jesus, and trembles. This public declaration also sets the stage for a universally recognized demonstration of Jesus' authority in the public eye.

Luke 4 33 Bonus section

This account is crucial for understanding Luke's theological framework of the "kingdom conflict." Luke emphasizes that Jesus' ministry directly challenges and dismantles Satan's dominion, demonstrating the inbreaking of God's rule. The specific descriptor "impure spirit" highlights that Jesus is addressing not just sickness but the deep spiritual defilement that pervades human existence due to the influence of evil. This miracle, so early in Luke's narrative of Jesus' public ministry in Capernaum, strategically establishes His divine authority and sets the expectation for future confrontations with evil, confirming that His message of the Kingdom comes with transformative power, leading to immediate and visible deliverance. The public nature of this exorcism ensures maximum impact, authenticating Jesus' identity and claims to everyone witnessing this astounding event.

Luke 4 33 Commentary

Luke 4:33 records Jesus' initial encounter with demonic power in Capernaum, providing tangible evidence of His unique authority following His powerful declaration of ministry in Nazareth. The presence of an "impure spirit" in a synagogue underscores that evil infiltrates all spaces, even sacred ones, and that its defilement is deep, affecting a person's entire being. The demon's immediate, loud outcry, even through its possessed victim, reveals its involuntary recognition of Jesus as a divine and overpowering force. This demonstrates that evil forces are subject to Jesus' authority, proving He is not merely a wise teacher or a prophet, but the very Son of God who brings liberation from spiritual bondage. This dramatic exorcism validates Jesus' earlier claim to deliver the oppressed, showing His Kingdom not only confronts spiritual darkness but actively displaces it. It solidified His reputation and established His authority in the eyes of those present, setting the tone for the rest of His miraculous ministry.