King James Version

What Does Luke 4:34 Mean?

Luke 4:34 in the King James Version says “Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who... — study this verse from Luke chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God. Let: or, Away

Luke 4:34 · KJV


Context

32

And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.

33

And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice,

34

Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God. Let: or, Away

35

And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not.

36

And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God. The demon's ea, ti hēmin kai soi (ἔα, τί ἡμῖν καὶ σοί, let us alone, what to us and to you) is a Semitic idiom meaning "What do we have in common?" or "Why interfere with us?" The plural "us" may indicate multiple demons or the demon speaking for all demonic forces.

The demon identifies Jesus as Iēsou Nazarēne (Ἰησοῦ Ναζαρηνέ, Jesus of Nazareth) and asks, ēlthes apolesai hēmas (ἦλθες ἀπολέσαι ἡμᾶς, have you come to destroy us?). The verb apollymi (ἀπόλλυμι, to destroy utterly) reveals demons' awareness that Jesus is their destroyer. The confession ho hagios tou Theou (ὁ ἅγιος τοῦ θεοῦ, the Holy One of God) is theologically accurate—demons recognize Jesus' divine identity even when humans don't. Yet this knowledge brings no salvation, only terror (James 2:19).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The title "Holy One of God" appears rarely in Scripture. In the Old Testament, Aaron is called holy (Psalm 106:16), and Israel corporately is God's holy people. Applied to Jesus, it identifies Him as uniquely set apart by God for divine purpose—the Messiah. Demons possess supernatural knowledge of spiritual realities invisible to humans. Their recognition of Jesus' identity demonstrates the spiritual battle underlying Jesus' ministry. His coming signals demons' ultimate doom, explaining their desperate resistance. The exorcism is not mere healing but cosmic warfare—God's kingdom invading Satan's territory.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the demon's accurate theological knowledge about Jesus teach about the difference between intellectual knowledge and saving faith?
  2. Why do demons recognize Jesus' identity and mission when most humans fail to do so?
  3. How does the demon's question 'art thou come to destroy us?' reveal the ultimate purpose of Christ's incarnation?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 19 words
λέγων,1 of 19

Saying

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Ἔα2 of 19

Let us alone

G1436

properly, let it be, i.e., (as interjection) aha!

τίς3 of 19

what

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ἡμῖν4 of 19

have we to do

G2254

to (or for, with, by) us

καὶ5 of 19
G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

σοί6 of 19

with thee

G4671

to thee

Ἰησοῦ7 of 19

thou Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Ναζαρηνέ8 of 19

of Nazareth

G3479

a nazarene, i.e., inhabitant of nazareth

ἦλθες9 of 19

art thou come

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

ἀπολέσαι10 of 19

to destroy

G622

to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively

ἡμᾶς11 of 19

us

G2248

us

οἶδά12 of 19

I know

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

σε13 of 19

thee

G4571

thee

τίς14 of 19

what

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

εἶ15 of 19

thou art

G1488

thou art

16 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἅγιος17 of 19

the Holy One

G40

sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)

τοῦ18 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ19 of 19

of God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 4:34 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 4:34 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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