Bergant (2000), Boyon (2002), Fitzmyer (1981) and Johnson (1991) all offer commentary, analysis, and correspondences for Luke 4:14-30. Boyon (2002) calls this section an “apocalyptic turning point,” a critical moment in which Jesus not only recognizes himself as the fulfillment of a prophesy but communicates that awareness to a Jewish congregation during the Sabbath service in a synagogue in Nazareth. All four of these commentaries present similar context and literary deconstruction of the text, allowing insight into the original Greek. A few authors, like Boyon and Fitzmeyer, spend a considerable amount of time comparing Luke’s version of the story of Jesus’s “inauguration” as a prophecy-fulfilling messiah with that of Mark. As Boyon (2002) points out, Luke’s version is almost twice as long, raising questions about its “source and function,” (p. 526). All four of these authors also offer extensive notes and correspondences that can enhance a sermon.
The most helpful elements in all the commentaries include explaining why this section is so important, as it establishes Jesus as a prophetic messiah while also showing how his public declaration led to a pivotal historical moment. This moment was also written in prophesy: the fact that the messiah would...
Bergant’s (2000) analysis is perhaps the least instructive as it is less about correspondences and more a modern interpretation replete with more value-laden judgments than are necessary. For example, Bergant (2000) goes beyond the content of scripture by that Jesus’s presence “filled the people in the synagogue with fury,” (p. 238). The use of the word fury twice in the analysis adds an unnecessarily emotional content related to the prophesy of Jesus’s rejection by his people. Granted, all four correspondences must mention the important fact that the purpose of Luke’s passage is to discuss the role of Jesus as the fulfillment of prophesy—including his rejection. Theologically speaking, no one of these commentaries is any more instructive than any other. All show how Luke takes pains to describe the incident and anchor Jesus as the messiah.
Boyon’s commentary is most useful for providing insight into the historical and social context of the events described in Luke. For one, Boyon (2000) shows how Luke’s passage exemplifies the literary tradition of biography, as Luke uses tropes that would have been familiar to his audience such as establishing the renown or reputation of Jesus and…
