What does Luke 4:21 mean?

And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. Luke 4:21

Explanation

In Luke 4:21, Jesus is speaking in the synagogue in Nazareth, where he grew up. Immediately prior to this, Jesus read from the scroll of Isaiah, specifically the passage which we now identify as Isaiah 61:1-2. This passage speaks about the anointed one who is sent to proclaim good news to the poor, freedom for the prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. When Jesus declares, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears,” he is essentially announcing that he himself is the fulfillment of the prophecy described in Isaiah. Jesus is saying that in his person and mission, these celebratory declarations of redemption and release are being actualized.

Historical Context

At the time of Jesus, the Jewish people were living under Roman occupation and longed for a Messiah who would liberate them. Isaiah’s prophecies were often associated with the expectation of this Messiah. In the synagogue, it was customary for men to read Scripture and give interpretation. Jesus, taking on this role, reads the scroll of Isaiah and then makes a bold claim suggesting that he is the anticipated figure spoken of in these sacred texts. The historical significance lies in the Jewish expectation of a deliverer and Jesus identifying himself as that person. This statement was revolutionary and provocative, given the prevailing Roman domination and the Jewish hopes bound up in the coming of a powerful liberating Messiah.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse is significant in several regards:

• Christocentric Fulfillment: It points to the ‘Christocentric’ view that Jesus Christ is the central figure who fulfills Old Testament prophecy.
• Inaugurated Eschatology: It suggests an ‘inaugurated eschatology,’ where Jesus starts a new era of God’s rule which will be consummated in the future.
• Divine Identity: It brings about claims of Jesus’ divine identity and purpose, indicating his divinely anointed role as the bearer of salvation.
• Universal Mission: While Isaiah’s message may have been initially understood to pertain to the Jewish people, Jesus implies a broader mission that includes all who are spiritually impoverished, captive, blind, and oppressed.

Practical Applications

Practically, this verse calls believers to:

• Recognize that Scripture is alive and fulfilled in Jesus, which means engaging with the Bible not just as a historical document, but as a relevant and living text.
• Embrace the call to social justice that is inherent in the mission of Jesus.
• Find personal freedom and recovery: just as Jesus proclaimed liberty to the captives, believers are called to find freedom from personal sin and oppression.
• Extend the message of grace and release to others, in keeping with Jesus’ mission.

Cross-References

• Isaiah 61:1-2 (KJV): “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; …”
• Luke 7:22 (KJV): “Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.”
• Matthew 5:17 (KJV): “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”

Language Study

In the original Greek, “fulfilled” is translated from “πεπλήρωται” (peplērōtai), a perfect passive verb, indicating an action that has been completed at some point in the past with results continuing into the present. It reflects a sense of completeness and realization. The phrase “in your ears” indicates an immediate and personal encounter with the fulfillment of these prophecies. It was not just a general announcement but something the audience hears and experiences directly.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The idea of a prophetic word being fulfilled by a divine or semi-divine figure is not unique to Christianity or Judaism. In various ancient myths, prophesies often find their fulfillment in heroes or chosen individuals. For instance, in Greco-Roman myths, oracles would predict the coming of individuals who would perform great deeds. However, Jesus differs from these stories in that his fulfilling of prophecy is not based on might or conquest but on service, healing, and spiritual liberation.

Scientific Perspectives

While the fulfillment of prophecy in Luke 4:21 is a theological claim, science might contribute to the understanding of Jesus’s teachings by examining the historical and archaeological context, providing insights into the period’s socio-economic conditions and health status. Modern psychology and neurology might also explore the human perception of prophecy and fulfillment or the psychological effects of hope and belief in prophetic declarations.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have interpreted this verse as a pivotal moment in Jesus’ ministry. For instance, Matthew Henry’s Commentary suggests that Jesus’ announcement is both a declaration of his Messiahship and the commencement of his public ministry. The IVP New Testament Commentary Series highlights the theme of jubilee, signifying a time of liberation and restoration which Jesus inaugurates. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary further emphasizes the claim to divine authority inherent in Jesus’ claim to fulfill prophecy. Overall, there is a consensus among many commentaries on the significance of Jesus’ statement as declaring the advent of a new age of spiritual restoration and salvation.