4:14–15 This brief summarizing section, probably derived from Mark 1:14–15, represents the beginning of Jesus’ Galilean ministry (so Fitzmyer, p. 521; Ellis [pp. 33, 98–99] and Schweizer [pp. 96–97], however, see the beginning at 4:31). Luke wishes to make it clear that Jesus’ ministry begins in the power of the Spirit as he taught in their synagogues (see 1:35; 3:22; 4:1), which parallels the inauguration of the apostolic preaching and teaching in Acts 2. These verses establish the context for an expanded account of one such teaching episode in a synagogue (4:16–30).

4:16–30 The sermon at the synagogue in Nazareth provides the reader with an example of the content of Jesus’ proclamation. This passage illustrates vividly Jesus’ theology in contrast to the popular assumptions held by many …