Luke 4:34

KJV

Saying, Let [us] alone; what have we to do with thee, [thou] Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.

KJV (with Strong's)

Saying {G3004}, Let us alone {G1436}; what {G5101} have we to do {G2254} with thee {G4671},{G2532} thou Jesus {G2424} of Nazareth {G3479}? art thou come {G2064} to destroy {G622} us {G2248}? I know {G1492} thee {G4571} who {G5101} thou art {G1488}; the Holy One {G40} of God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Yaah! What do you want with us, Yeshua from Natzeret? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are -- the Holy One of God!"

Berean Standard Bible

“Ha! What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”

American Standard Version

Ah! what have we to do with thee, Jesus thou Nazarene? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 4:34 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' early Galilean ministry, revealing the immediate and involuntary recognition of His divine authority by an unclean spirit within the Capernaum synagogue. This dramatic confrontation highlights Jesus' power over demonic forces, as the spirit, in a desperate attempt to assert its presence and challenge Jesus, paradoxically confesses His true identity as "the Holy One of God," underscoring the spiritual battle Jesus came to wage.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after Jesus' rejection in His hometown of Nazareth, where He quoted [Isaiah 61:1-2](/isaiah/61-1-2 "Isaiah 61:1-2 - The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me") to declare His mission. Leaving Nazareth, Jesus comes to Capernaum, a bustling city that becomes His new base of operations in Galilee. Luke emphasizes Jesus' authoritative teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath ([Luke 4:31-32](/luke/4-31-32 "Luke 4:31-32 - Jesus Teaches with Authority")), noting that the people were "astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority." The encounter with the demon-possessed man directly follows this observation, serving as a powerful demonstration and validation of the very authority the people marveled at. It sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent healing ministry and further exorcisms in Capernaum, as detailed in [Luke 4:38-41](/luke/4-38-41 "Luke 4:38-41 - Jesus Heals Many").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish society, particularly in Galilee, was deeply religious and keenly aware of spiritual forces, both divine and demonic. Synagogues served as central community hubs for worship, teaching, and social gathering. The Sabbath was a sacred day of rest and religious observance. Demonic possession was understood as a real and terrifying affliction, often manifesting in physical or mental distress. Exorcism was practiced by some, but Jesus' method and the immediate, powerful results were unprecedented. Capernaum, a fishing village on the Sea of Galilee, was a vibrant crossroads, making it an ideal location for Jesus to launch His ministry, reaching diverse populations and demonstrating His power in a public, undeniable way. The demon's public outburst in the synagogue would have been a shocking and profoundly significant event for those present.
* **Key Themes:** This passage powerfully contributes to several key themes in Luke's Gospel. Foremost is **Jesus' Supreme Authority**, not merely in teaching but over all spiritual powers, demonstrating His divine prerogative to confront and overcome evil. The incident also highlights the **Recognition of Jesus' Identity**, as the forces of darkness, despite their malevolent nature, possess an uncanny, albeit forced, understanding of who Jesus truly is—"the Holy One of God." This stands in stark contrast to the often-misguided human perceptions of Jesus throughout the Gospel, such as the initial skepticism in [Luke 4:22](/luke/4-22 "Luke 4:22 - Nazareth's Skepticism"). Furthermore, the event underscores the reality of **Spiritual Warfare** and Jesus' mission to deliver humanity from the dominion of darkness, a theme consistently present from His temptation in the wilderness ([Luke 4:1-13](/luke/4-1-13 "Luke 4:1-13 - The Temptation of Jesus")) through His ultimate victory on the cross.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **alone (Greek, _éa'_):** This word, derived from a verb meaning "to let be" or "to permit," functions here as an interjection, conveying a sense of "aha!" or "let alone!" It expresses the unclean spirit's urgent desire for Jesus to cease His activity and leave them undisturbed. It's a desperate plea for non-interference, revealing the spirit's immediate recognition of Jesus' power and its fear of His intervention.
* **know (Greek, _eídō'_):** Though often meaning "to see," in its perfect tense, as used here, this verb signifies "to know" with certainty and full comprehension. The demon's declaration "I know thee" is not merely an intellectual awareness but a profound, undeniable recognition of Jesus' true identity and nature, a knowledge that transcends human understanding at this point in the narrative.
* **Holy One (Greek, _hágios'_):** This term denotes something or someone sacred, pure, set apart, and consecrated for divine purposes. When applied to Jesus, "the Holy One of God" emphasizes His unique purity, His separation from sin, and His divine appointment as the Messiah. It is a title of profound theological significance, highlighting Jesus' consecrated nature and His unparalleled relationship with God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth?"**: The unclean spirit, speaking through the man, immediately reacts to Jesus' presence. The phrase "Let us alone" (or "Aha!") is an urgent, fearful cry for Jesus to desist. "What have we to do with thee?" is a common Semitic idiom (Greek: _ti hēmin kai soi?_), expressing a strong desire for separation or a protest against interference, essentially meaning, "What business do we have with each other? Leave us alone!" The demon addresses Jesus by His earthly name and origin, "Jesus of Nazareth," perhaps attempting to diminish His authority or to establish a common ground, though clearly recognizing His unique power.
* **"art thou come to destroy us?"**: This rhetorical question reveals the demon's acute awareness of Jesus' ultimate mission to dismantle the kingdom of darkness. The word "destroy" (Greek: _apóllymi_) implies not annihilation, but rather rendering powerless, ruining, or bringing to an end their dominion and influence. The demon understands that Jesus' presence is a direct threat to its existence and operation, signaling the beginning of its overthrow.
* **"I know thee who thou art; The Holy One of God."**: This is a forced, yet profound, confession of Jesus' true identity. Despite its malevolent nature, the demon possesses an undeniable knowledge of Jesus' divine essence. "The Holy One of God" is a significant messianic title, emphasizing Jesus' unique purity, His divine consecration, and His role as the divinely appointed Messiah. This declaration, coming from an unclean spirit, serves as a powerful, albeit unwilling, testimony to Jesus' unparalleled identity and authority.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Dramatic Irony** is prominent, as the demon-possessed man, an agent of darkness, articulates a profound truth about Jesus' identity ("The Holy One of God") that many human characters, including Jesus' own disciples, struggle to grasp at this early stage of His ministry. This creates a powerful contrast, highlighting the spiritual blindness of humans versus the involuntary spiritual discernment of demons. The demon's outburst also functions as a **Confession**, albeit a coerced one, serving as an early, undeniable public declaration of Jesus' divine nature and authority. Furthermore, the interaction is marked by clear **Antagonism**, establishing Jesus as the ultimate adversary to the forces of evil. The demon's question, "art thou come to destroy us?", also serves as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at Jesus' ultimate triumph over sin, death, and all demonic powers, a victory that will culminate in His crucifixion and resurrection.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 4:34 powerfully establishes Jesus' absolute sovereignty over the spiritual realm, demonstrating that His authority extends far beyond mere teaching to direct confrontation and subjugation of demonic forces. This encounter underscores the reality of a cosmic battle between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness, with Jesus as the decisive victor. The demon's unwilling confession of Jesus as "the Holy One of God" is a profound theological statement, affirming His unique divine nature and His consecrated role as the Messiah. It reveals that even the forces of evil recognize and tremble before the Son of God, highlighting His unparalleled power and purity. This divine recognition serves as an early sign of the comprehensive liberation Jesus brings to a world oppressed by sin and spiritual bondage.

* [Mark 1:24](/mark/1-24 "Demonic Recognition in Mark")
* [James 2:19](/james/2-19 "Demons Believe and Tremble")
* [Acts 19:15](/acts/19-15 "The Sons of Sceva and Demonic Recognition")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 4:34 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, reminding us that Jesus' authority is not confined to the historical past but remains active and absolute over all spiritual forces today. Just as the unclean spirit immediately recognized and submitted, albeit unwillingly, to Jesus' power, so too are we called to acknowledge and surrender to His Lordship in every aspect of our lives. This passage encourages us to live with an awareness of the spiritual realities at play in the world, understanding that spiritual warfare is real, but also that we serve a God who has already triumphed over the powers of darkness. It empowers us to trust in Jesus' liberating power for freedom from any form of spiritual oppression, anxiety, or bondage. Our response to Jesus should not be one of fear or resistance, like the demon's, but one of joyful submission and confident reliance on His ultimate authority to deliver, heal, and transform.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you need to more fully recognize and submit to Jesus' authority?**
* **How does the demon's immediate recognition of Jesus as "the Holy One of God" challenge or affirm your own understanding of His identity?**
* **What spiritual battles are you facing, and how can you rely on Jesus' demonstrated power over evil in those situations?**
* **How can you boldly proclaim Jesus' identity and power in a world that often struggles to acknowledge Him?**

### FAQ
**Why did the demon immediately recognize Jesus' true identity, while many people did not?**

Answer: The demon's immediate recognition of Jesus as "the Holy One of God" ([Luke 4:34](/luke/4-34 "Luke 4:34 - The Holy One of God")) stems from its supernatural, spiritual nature. Unlike humans, whose understanding is often clouded by sin, preconceived notions, or spiritual blindness, demonic entities operate in the spiritual realm and inherently recognize divine power. They have direct knowledge of God's nature and, by extension, His Son. This is a common theme in the Gospels, where demons frequently identify Jesus correctly ([Mark 1:24](/mark/1-24 "Mark 1:24 - Demonic Recognition in Mark"), [Mark 3:11](/mark/3-11 "Mark 3:11 - Unclean Spirits Fall Down Before Jesus")). Their confession, though forced and fearful, serves as an undeniable, albeit ironic, testimony to Jesus' divine identity, contrasting sharply with the human struggle to comprehend who He truly was.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 4:34 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' ultimate victory over all the powers of darkness through His death and resurrection. The demon's fearful question, "art thou come to destroy us?" ([Luke 4:34](/luke/4-34 "Luke 4:34 - Demonic Fear of Destruction")), foreshadows the complete and decisive triumph of Christ over sin, death, and the devil's dominion. On the cross, Jesus disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities, making a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in Him ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). His resurrection from the dead confirmed His absolute authority, demonstrating that He holds the keys of death and Hades ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Christ Holds the Keys of Death and Hades")). The "Holy One of God" ([Luke 4:34](/luke/4-34 "Luke 4:34 - The Holy One of God")) came not merely to cast out individual demons, but to dismantle the entire kingdom of darkness, thereby liberating humanity from its spiritual bondage and establishing His eternal reign. Through His redemptive work, Jesus offers true freedom and new life to all who believe, empowering them to live under His liberating authority, knowing that the one who is in them is greater than the one who is in the world ([1 John 4:4](/1_john/4-4 "1 John 4:4 - Greater is He Who is in You")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 1:24

Saying, Let [us] alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

James 2:19

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

Matthew 8:29

And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

Acts 3:14

But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

Luke 4:41

And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking [them] suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.

Revelation 3:7

¶ And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

Luke 1:35

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.