What is the meaning of Luke 4:15?

He taught in their synagogues

• Luke records that, after the wilderness temptation, “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit” (Luke 4:14) and immediately prioritized public instruction.

• The synagogue was the heart of communal life; by choosing this venue Jesus met people where they gathered for Scripture, prayer, and discussion—much as He would later command His followers to go “to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

• Teaching, not miracles, is highlighted first. This underscores the supremacy of God’s Word (cf. Matthew 4:4; Matthew 28:20).

• Other passages echo this pattern:

– “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom” (Matthew 4:23).

– “He continued to preach in the synagogues of Judea” (Luke 4:44).

– Mark 1:21; Luke 13:10 show the same rhythm—Sabbath gatherings, Scripture read, Messiah explains.

• Each appearance affirms His authority: “They were astonished at His teaching, because His message had authority” (Luke 4:32).

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and was glorified by everyone

• The immediate result of His Spirit-empowered teaching was widespread praise: “All spoke well of Him and marveled at the gracious words that proceeded from His mouth” (Luke 4:22).

• “Glorified” points to admiration and acknowledgment that God was at work through Jesus—similar to later responses:

– “They were all amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’” (Mark 2:12).

– After raising the widow’s son, “Fear swept through all, and they glorified God” (Luke 7:16).

• The universal acclaim in Galilee fulfills the prophetic expectation that the Servant would be “a light for the nations” (Isaiah 49:6) and previews the greater glory He will receive when “every knee will bow” (Philippians 2:10-11).

• Yet the very crowd that praises Him here will soon question and even oppose Him (Luke 4:28-30), reminding us that human approval is fickle, while divine approval remains constant (Matthew 3:17).

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summary

Luke 4:15 shows Jesus, fresh from victory over temptation, teaching God’s Word at the center of Jewish life and immediately receiving enthusiastic praise. The verse highlights His mission priorities—Scripture first, Spirit power, public witness—and foreshadows both the glory He rightly deserves and the mixed reactions He will endure on the path to the cross.