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I. ITS NATURE AND CHARACTERISTICS. It was —

1. Active — "went." He did not sit passively and receive applicants: like many nowadays, who are either indolent, or think it sufficient to satisfy a claim when made, or else are afraid of encountering too many claims.

2. Incessant — "about." Not to one place, but everywhere; not in the straight line of duty or circumstances, but in, out, and around. Much of modern charity is partial, and confines itself to "deserving" cases, or those who have superior claims on the ground of kindred, neighbourhood, nationality, etc.

3. Inquiring — "went about." Jesus "sought" that He might save. Many of the objects of His compassion were those who lay outside the beaten track and had to be found.

4. Practical — "doing," not simply "speaking," although sympathetic words are helpful: but a little assistance is worth a good deal of pity.

5. Really beneficent — "good." It is to be feared that much of so-called charity does more harm than good.

6. Victorious — "healing all that were oppressed of the devil." Destruction has often to precede construction. The devil has to be vanquished before good can be done.

II. ITS SANCTION. "God anointed Him with the Holy Ghost."

1. This was fore-announced (Isaiah 61:1-3); and when the prophecy was so abundantly fulfilled nothing but the blindness of criminal unbelief could refuse to see it.

2. This was abundantly given to Christ and claimed by Him.

3. This demonstrated His Messiahship. He was the anointed —

(1) Prophet — to declare man's need. All need is not conscious. Men have to be convinced of the existence of their deepest requirements. How many are bound by the fetters of sin, and yet are senseless to their slavery.

(2) Priest — to provide for man's need. Through His mediatorial work Christ becomes the grand storehouse of God's riches.

(3) King — to supply man's need. "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth." "He is able to do exceeding abundantly." He received gifts for the rebellious.

III. ITS POWER. Christ was anointed with "power."

1. He was equal to every emergency. When the wine failed He turned the water into wine. Those whom physicians gave up as incurable He healed with a touch. When the disciples were in danger of perishing in the storm He rebuked the winds and the waves. When Lazarus was dead He recalled him to life. And all this without delay and without exertion.

2. His power was acknowledged by all: nature, men, devils.

IV. ITS REWARD. "God was with Him."

1. Encouraging.

2. Approving.

3. Rendering effectual.

(J. W. Burn.)

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KJV: How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

WEB: even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.