King James Version

What Does Luke 4:36 Mean?

Luke 4:36 in the King James Version says “And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he comma... — study this verse from Luke chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Luke 4:36 · KJV


Context

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.

37

And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about.

38

And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
After Jesus casts out a demon, people marvel: 'What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.' The combination of 'authority' (Greek 'exousia,' ἐξουσία) and 'power' (Greek 'dynamis,' δύναμις) describes Jesus' complete dominion over evil spirits. He doesn't negotiate or struggle—He commands, and demons obey instantly. This demonstrates His deity and messianic identity—only God possesses absolute authority over evil. The crowd recognizes something unprecedented—Jesus' word alone accomplishes what others achieve through lengthy rituals or formulas (if at all).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

First-century Jewish exorcists used elaborate rituals, incantations, and divine names to attempt casting out demons (see Acts 19:13-16 for failed exorcism attempts). Jesus' simple command with immediate effect was unprecedented and shocking. His authority over demons fulfilled messianic expectations—the Messiah would defeat evil and establish God's kingdom. Each exorcism demonstrated the kingdom's breaking into the present, evil's power being broken, Satan's kingdom falling. The combination of teaching authority (v. 32) and spiritual authority (v. 36) validated Jesus' claims about His identity.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Jesus' effortless command over demons reveal about His divine identity and authority?
  2. How do Jesus' exorcisms demonstrate the kingdom of God breaking into the present and evil's power being defeated?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 25 words
καὶ1 of 25

And

G2532

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

ἐγένετο2 of 25

they were

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

θάμβος3 of 25

amazed

G2285

stupefaction (by surprise), i.e., astonishment

ἐπὶ4 of 25

all

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

πάντας5 of 25
G3956

all, any, every, the whole

καὶ6 of 25

And

G2532

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

συνελάλουν7 of 25

spake

G4814

to talk together, i.e., converse

πρὸς8 of 25

among

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

ἀλλήλους9 of 25

themselves

G240

one another

λέγοντες10 of 25

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

Τίς11 of 25

What

G5101

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

12 of 25
G3588

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

λόγος13 of 25

a word

G3056

something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a

οὗτος14 of 25

is this

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

ὅτι15 of 25

! for

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἐν16 of 25

with

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἐξουσίᾳ17 of 25

authority

G1849

privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o

καὶ18 of 25

And

G2532

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

δυνάμει19 of 25

power

G1411

force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)

ἐπιτάσσει20 of 25

he commandeth

G2004

to arrange upon, i.e., order

τοῖς21 of 25
G3588

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

ἀκαθάρτοις22 of 25

the unclean

G169

impure (ceremonially, morally (lewd) or specially, (demonic))

πνεύμασιν23 of 25

spirits

G4151

a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin

καὶ24 of 25

And

G2532

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

ἐξέρχονται25 of 25

they come out

G1831

to issue (literally or figuratively)


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 4:36 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 4:36 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study