Luke 4:36

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} they were {G1096} all {G1909}{G3956} amazed {G2285}, and {G2532} spake {G4814} among {G4314} themselves {G240}, saying {G3004}, What {G5101} a word {G3056} is this {G3778}! for {G3754} with {G1722} authority {G1849} and {G2532} power {G1411} he commandeth {G2004} the unclean {G169} spirits {G4151}, and {G2532} they come out {G1831}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They were all astounded and said to one another, "What kind of teaching is this? Why, he gives orders with power and authority to the unclean spirits, and they come out!"

Berean Standard Bible

All the people were overcome with amazement and asked one another, “What is this message? With authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!”

American Standard Version

And amazement came upon all, and they spake together, one with another, saying, What is this word? for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 4:36 captures the profound astonishment and immediate discussion among the eyewitnesses in the Capernaum synagogue following Jesus' authoritative expulsion of an unclean spirit. Their reaction underscores the unprecedented nature of Jesus' power and the stark contrast between His inherent authority and the conventional methods of religious leaders, prompting them to marvel at the divine efficacy of His word.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climax of an immediate narrative sequence detailing Jesus' inaugural ministry in Capernaum. Having already taught with an authority that amazed the people ([Luke 4:32](/luke/4-32 "Luke 4:32 - Jesus' Authoritative Teaching")), Jesus then directly confronts a man possessed by an unclean spirit within the synagogue ([Luke 4:33](/luke/4-33 "Luke 4:33 - Man with an Unclean Spirit")). The demon, recognizing Jesus as "the Holy One of God," cries out, but Jesus silences it and commands it to leave ([Luke 4:34-35](/luke/4-34-35 "Luke 4:34-35 - Jesus Casts Out a Demon")). The immediate and complete obedience of the demonic entity, without ritual or struggle, is what elicits the profound amazement and questioning recorded in [Luke 4:36](/luke/4-36 "Luke 4:36 - The People's Amazement at Jesus' Authority"). This event establishes Jesus' supremacy over spiritual forces early in Luke's Gospel, setting the stage for His subsequent ministry of healing and deliverance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Galilee was a melting pot of Jewish tradition and Hellenistic influence. Synagogues served as central hubs for religious instruction, community gathering, and local legal matters. While exorcism was practiced by some Jewish healers and charismatics of the time, it often involved elaborate rituals, incantations, or the invocation of God's name or the names of powerful angels. The people were accustomed to scribes and Pharisees teaching based on tradition and interpretation of the Law. Jesus, however, spoke and acted with an inherent authority, not quoting previous rabbis but asserting His own divine prerogative. His simple, direct command to the demon, followed by instant obedience, shattered their understanding of spiritual power, demonstrating a unique, unparalleled dominion over the forces of darkness that defied contemporary expectations and practices.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme highlighted in [Luke 4:36](/luke/4-36 "The Authority of Jesus") is the **Unprecedented Authority of Jesus**. The people's astonishment stems from Jesus' ability to command evil spirits directly, a power previously unseen in such a manner. This authority (Greek: _exousia_) is not derived from human institutions or learned tradition, but is inherent to His person, distinguishing Him from all other teachers and healers. Closely related is the theme of **Divine Power Over Spiritual Forces**. The phrase "with authority and power" (Greek: _exousia_ and _dynamis_) underscores that Jesus possesses both the right and the capability to subdue demonic entities, signifying His supremacy over the forces of darkness. This demonstrates a key aspect of His mission: to inaugurate God's kingdom and dismantle the reign of evil. Finally, the people's **Astonishment and Recognition** of Jesus' unique identity is a crucial theme. Their collective wonder and questioning ("What a word is this!") indicate their dawning realization that Jesus is no ordinary prophet or teacher, but someone with a unique relationship to God and unparalleled spiritual might, echoing similar reactions to His teaching in [Mark 1:27](/mark/1-27 "Mark 1:27 - Jesus' Authority in Mark") and [Matthew 7:29](/matthew/7-29 "Matthew 7:29 - Jesus Teaches with Authority").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Amazed (Greek, _thámbos'_):** (G2285) This word denotes stupefaction by surprise, a profound astonishment or wonder. It implies a reaction so strong that it almost renders one speechless or dumbfounded. The crowd's amazement here is not mere curiosity but a deep, overwhelming sense of awe at something utterly beyond their comprehension and experience.
* **Authority (Greek, _exousía'_):** (G1849) This term signifies privilege, inherent right, legitimate power, or jurisdiction. It points to a source of power that is not delegated by human institutions but stems from an intrinsic right. In Jesus' case, it highlights His divine prerogative and sovereign control.
* **Power (Greek, _dýnamis'_):** (G1411) Referring to force (literal or figurative), this word specifically denotes miraculous power or inherent ability. It is the root of the English word "dynamite," conveying the idea of effective, explosive might. Coupled with _exousia_, it emphasizes both Jesus' rightful claim to command and His absolute capability to execute that command.
* **Commandeth (Greek, _epitássō'_):** (G2004) This verb means "to arrange upon" or "order." It implies a direct, authoritative instruction, not a request or an appeal. The use of this word underscores the immediate and non-negotiable nature of Jesus' directives to the unclean spirits, highlighting His absolute control.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they were all amazed":** This clause describes the collective, profound reaction of the crowd. The word "amazed" (G2285, _thámbos_) signifies a deep, almost stunned wonder, indicating that what they had just witnessed transcended their understanding and expectations. It was a visceral response to an extraordinary display of power.
* **"and spake among themselves, saying, What a word [is] this!":** Following their initial astonishment, the people immediately engaged in discussion, attempting to process the event. Their question, "What a word is this!" (G3056, _lógos_), highlights their focus on Jesus' spoken command. It wasn't a ritual or a struggle, but a simple, authoritative word that achieved immediate results, prompting them to ponder the nature and source of such potent speech.
* **"for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.":** This final clause provides the reason for their amazement and questioning. It explicitly states that Jesus' actions are characterized by both "authority" (G1849, _exousía_ – the right to command) and "power" (G1411, _dýnamis_ – the ability to execute that command). The fact that He "commandeth" (G2004, _epitássō_) the "unclean spirits" (G169, _akáthartos_ G4151, _pneûma_) and they "come out" (G1831, _exérchomai_) immediately and completely, without resistance, is the irrefutable evidence of His unique dominion over the spiritual realm.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 4:36 effectively employs **Amazement** and **Contrast** to emphasize Jesus' unique identity and power. The collective "amazement" of the crowd serves as a narrative device to underscore the extraordinary nature of the event, signaling to the reader that something unprecedented has occurred. This is further highlighted by the **Contrast** between Jesus' simple, direct command and the elaborate, often ineffective, exorcism practices of the time. The people's question, "What a word is this!", functions as a form of **Rhetorical Question**, inviting both the immediate audience and the reader to contemplate the profound implications of Jesus' authority. The repetition of the concepts of "authority and power" serves as **Emphasis**, reinforcing the dual aspects of Jesus' inherent right and His demonstrable ability to subdue spiritual forces. This verse also contains **Thematic Foreshadowing**, as it introduces Jesus' dominion over evil spirits, a theme that will recur throughout Luke's Gospel, signaling the inauguration of God's kingdom and the defeat of Satan's domain.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 4:36 profoundly reveals Jesus' divine nature and His unique position as the Son of God. The immediate and complete obedience of the unclean spirits to His mere command signifies His absolute sovereignty not only over the physical realm but, crucially, over the spiritual forces of darkness. This demonstration of inherent authority (exousia) and miraculous power (dynamis) distinguishes Jesus from all other prophets, teachers, or exorcists, establishing Him as the one who brings the kingdom of God with power, directly confronting and disarming the dominion of evil. It underscores the truth that Jesus' word is not merely human speech but carries divine efficacy, capable of transforming reality and liberating those held captive by spiritual oppression.

* [Mark 1:27](/mark/1-27 "Mark 1:27 - Jesus' Authority in Mark")
* [Matthew 7:28-29](/matthew/7-28-29 "Matthew 7:28-29 - Jesus' Authority in Teaching")
* [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 4:36 offers profound assurance and practical guidance for believers today. The astonishment of the crowd reminds us that Jesus' authority is not a historical relic but an eternal reality. The same power that commanded unclean spirits to depart in Capernaum remains active and supreme over all spiritual adversaries, anxieties, and strongholds in our lives. This provides immense comfort and confidence, knowing that we serve a Savior whose word is inherently effective and whose triumph over evil is absolute. In a world often grappling with spiritual oppression, fear, and uncertainty, this verse calls us to place our trust implicitly in the authoritative word of Jesus. It encourages us to recognize that our battles are not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces, and our victory is secured not by our own might but by the already established authority of Christ. We are invited to live with the same awe and wonder as the Capernaum crowd, allowing the reality of Jesus' sovereign power to transform our perspective and empower our faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' display of authority in Luke 4:36 challenge or affirm your understanding of His divine nature?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to surrender to Jesus' "authority and power" over "unclean spirits" (whether literal or metaphorical strongholds of sin and fear)?**
* **How does the crowd's "amazement" inform your own response to the gospel and the power of God at work today?**
* **What does it mean for you, personally, to trust in "What a word is this!" when facing challenges or spiritual opposition?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the people's reaction in Luke 4:36?**

Answer: The people's reaction in [Luke 4:36](/luke/4-36 "Luke 4:36 - The People's Amazement") is highly significant because it underscores the unprecedented nature of Jesus' authority. Their "amazement" (Greek: _thámbos_) indicates a profound, almost stunned wonder, far beyond mere surprise. It signals that what they witnessed—Jesus' simple, direct command to an unclean spirit and its immediate, complete obedience—was unlike anything they had ever experienced from religious leaders or exorcists of their time. This reaction serves to highlight Jesus' unique divine power and establishes Him as distinct from all others, prompting them to question the very nature of His "word" and its inherent efficacy. It marks a pivotal moment of recognition of Jesus' unparalleled spiritual dominion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 4:36 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus as the incarnate Son of God, who came to destroy the works of the devil and establish God's kingdom. The "authority and power" Jesus demonstrates over unclean spirits in Capernaum is not merely a display of miraculous ability but a tangible manifestation of His divine sovereignty over all creation, including the spiritual realm. This foreshadows His ultimate victory on the cross, where He disarmed principalities and powers, triumphing over them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). His commanding "word" that expels demons points to His identity as the eternal Word of God ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God")), through whom all things were created and by whom all things are sustained. The awe of the crowd, "What a word is this!", anticipates the New Testament revelation that Jesus' word is the very instrument of salvation and transformation, capable of delivering humanity from the bondage of sin and death ([Romans 10:9-10](/romans/10-9-10 "Romans 10:9-10 - Confession and Belief")). Thus, Luke 4:36 is a powerful early glimpse into the redemptive mission of Christ, who came not only to teach but to conquer the forces of evil and bring liberation to humanity through His supreme authority.

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

Luke 4:32

And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.

1 Peter 3:22

Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

Matthew 12:22

¶ Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.

Matthew 12:23

And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?

Acts 19:12

So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

Acts 19:16

And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

Luke 10:17

¶ And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.