“He healed them”

Read Luke 4:38-41

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The casting out of the unclean spirit (4:33-35) was followed by the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law (38-39) and these two miracles together form the pattern for the many healings which took place that evening (40-41; Mk.1:32-34). Only Luke mentions here that Jesus laid hands on the sick to heal them (cf. 13:13; Mk.6:5; 7:32). In contrast, demons are always cast out “with a word” (Mt.8:16).

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These healings (Mt.8:17) are the fulfilment of Isaiah 53:4, a passage about the spiritual deliverance which Jesus would accomplish on the cross. His healing ministry points to that salvation – “works of power” (in Greek dunamis cf. dynamite) which show the overthrow of Satan (Lk.11:20). The many miracles in the Gospels are signs demonstrating the in-breaking of God’s kingdom.

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Jesus refused to do miracles as proof of who he was (Lk.11:16; Mk.8:11-12) and many who saw his miracles didn’t believe in him (Lk.10:13-15). This is why he silenced the demons who recognised him as the Son of God and Messiah (41). It was not just that such witness was confusing (11:15), it also added to an unwanted reputation of being a popular wonder-worker (Mk.1:44-45). That’s not why he came.