Gracious Words Incite Anger

Luke 4: 16-30 is an amazing passage. In his hometown of Nazareth. Reading the Scriptures on the Sabbath from Isaiah 61:1-2, Jesus claims that on that day He fulfilled it! "And he began to say to them, 'Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.'"

The ESV Study Bible clarifies:

"Proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor quotes Isa. 61:2, but the background of the Year of Jubilee (Lev. 25:10) is also in view in this entire passage. Jesus carries out the role of a prophet by proclaiming the “good news,” but he also carries out the role of Deliverer (or “Savior,” Luke 1:74) as the one who saves his people (Matt. 1:21)."

Jesus fulfills the so-called Law of the Shemitah! The people were "amazed at the graciousness of His words."

Knowing their heart He anticipates their request for a miracle to authenticate His claim. What he says stings:

"Citing examples from the ministries of Elijah and Elisha, Jesus reminds the people of Nazareth that when Israel rejects God’s prophets, God sends them elsewhere, even to Gentiles. At this the crowd becomes angry (v. 28; cf. Acts 22:21–22)." ESV Study Bible.

Even in this encounter Christ shows that "not all Israel is Israel." That invokes great anger -- even as it does today!