Luke 4:33
What does Luke 4:33 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 4:33 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 4:33 means
Verse 33 introduces a man in the synagogue who had an unclean demon and cried out loudly. The presence of demonic activity in the assembly shows the spiritual dimension of Jesus’ mission. The demon’s loud cry demonstrates awareness and hostility toward Jesus and prepares for a dramatic confrontation. It also underscores the need for deliverance among the people. This verse prepares readers for Jesus’ decisive exorcism, which will reveal his authority not only to teach but to reclaim lives from spiritual bondage, showing the inbreaking reign of God through him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And in the synagogue there was a man, that had a spirit of an unclean demon; and he cried out with a loud voice,
KJV
King James Version · 1611And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And in the synagogue there was a man, that had a spirit of an unclean demon; and he cried out with a loud voice,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And there was a man in the Synagogue who had an unclean spirit; and he gave a loud cry and said,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And in the synagogue was a man, having a spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a great voice,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And in the synagogue there was a man who had an unclean devil: and he cried out with a loud voice,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And there was in the synagogue a man having a spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried with a loud voice,
Context
This verse sets up the immediate test of Jesus’ authority described in the following verses. After establishing that his teaching was authoritative, Luke shows a tangible demonstration as a demonized man interrupts the assembly. The contrast between human astonishment at Jesus’ words and the demonic recognition points toward escalating revelation of who Jesus is. The scene moves the narrative from teaching to power encounter, making theological claims visible through deliverance.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 1:23
And straightway there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
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