Day 137: Luke 4:22–30

They were all speaking well of Him and were amazed by the gracious words that came from His mouth, yet they said, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” (v. 22).

The translation “spoke well of” in Luke 4:22 comes from the Greek word martureo, meaning “to be a witness, bear witness . . . to be able or ready to testify.” “Amazed” is the Greek word thaumazo, meaning “struck with admiration.” Either of these words could be used by spectators after attending any rock concert and being impressed by a talent. The wording suggests that they were impressed by Christ’s delivery—not so much what He said, but how He said it.

Let me draw on my experience and offer a possible explanation. After delivering a message, nothing hits me like cold water more than someone saying, “You are a great speaker.” First of all, I know better than that. I have a thick accent and use tons of country colloquialisms. Far more importantly, though, if someone makes a statement like that, I know either I failed miserably or the person didn’t get it. In the case of Jesus’ teaching, we know He can’t fail, so obviously, they didn’t get it. In Jesus’ seemingly harsh words (vv. 24–27), He may have been responding to their grading His speech rather than receiving His message.

Notice also a second consideration: the velocity of the crowd’s change of mood. The crowd’s mood went from admiration to a murderous rage in the moments of Christ’s confrontation. Luke describes them as furious (v. 28). The word in the text for “furious” comes from the word thuo, meaning “to move impetuously, particularly as the air or wind, a violent motion or passion of the mind.” The north wind of their admiration suddenly reversed into a south wind of tornadic proportions. When a mood can change in a matter of moments from admiration to murderous fury, something is amiss.

The types of crowds Christ encountered two thousand years ago still fill many churches today. Many congregations want to hear impressive A+ messages, but the messenger better keep his confrontational thoughts to himself. The same committee that throws out the red carpet to a new preacher may eventually roll him out the door in it! Meanness at church sometimes exceeds anything that occurs in secular surroundings. As James 3:10 says, “My brethren, these things ought not so to be” (kjv).