Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44

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,
NIV In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice,
NASB In the synagogue there was a man possessed by the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice,
CSB In the synagogue there was a man with an unclean demonic spirit who cried out with a loud voice,
NLT Once when he was in the synagogue, a man possessed by a demon — an evil spirit — cried out, shouting,
KJV And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice,
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,

What does Luke 4:33 mean?

A hallmark of Jesus' earthly ministry was supernatural healing, including freeing people from the influence of demons. Those who heard Him speak noted the authority in His words and His delivery (Luke 4:32; Matthew 7:29; Mark 1:22). When Jesus displayed miraculous power, it served as evidence that His message was truly from God (John 10:25).

The man mentioned here is possessed by a demon. Luke refers to this as "the spirit of an unclean demon," literally pneuma daimoniou akathartou. Commentators differ on why Luke specifies that the demon is "unclean." Some suggest he is indicating a particular type of spirit, or one focused on a certain kind of affliction. Others believe that Luke is clarifying to his mostly-Gentile audience that this is an evil spirit—not one of the benevolent spirits in which many Greeks believed.

When it encounters Jesus, the demon will react in fear and loathing, only to be cast out (Luke 4:34–35).
Expand
Context Summary
Luke 4:31–44 contains examples of Jesus healing as He teaches in Capernaum. These events include exorcising demons and curing diseases. Jesus' work is so popular that He finds it hard to be alone; the people demand He stay and continue. However, His mission includes other cities and towns. Jesus leaves to preach elsewhere, and the next passages record His calling of the disciples.
Expand
Chapter Summary
Jesus is taken into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. While fasting there, He is tempted by Satan. These temptations share an element of ignoring God in favor of what seems easier or quicker. Jesus resists all of these, citing Scripture as He does. When Jesus returns, He preaches and heals to great publicity in Judea and Galilee. While His hometown responds with stubborn skepticism, others are eager to hear His teaching and experience His miraculous power.
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app: