Reflection on Luke 4:31:37

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Jesus leaves his hometown, Nazareth, and travels to Capernaum. Capernaum was the hometown of the tax collector, Matthew; it was also the adopted hometown of  Simon Peter and his brother, Andrew. Although the two brothers were born in Bethsaida (city of fish), they had a home in Capernaum. Jesus himself either had a home in Capernaum (Mark 2:1) or he stayed in the house of one of his disciples. He did spend a great deal of time in Capernaum teaching and healing. According to today’s Gospel, after arriving at Capernaum, he entered the synagogue on a sabbath, and began to teach. Luke did not indicate what exactly he taught on this occasion but it was so powerful that his listeners were astonished at his teaching “because he spoke with authority.” 

Now, when we read that Jesus taught or spoke with authority, we would probably pass over it rather quickly. Based on what we know of the Lord today, we may not be amazed that he preached or taught with authority. But for first-century Jews, it was a big deal. It meant the world to them. Ordinary teachers of the law would definitely make references to their own teachers, to other authorities and scholars of the law, to Moses, the great law-giver, and definitely to the Torah when they teach in the synagogue. But on the Mount, Jesus does something quite unnerving. Although Luke did not specify exactly what Jesus said in Capernaum synagogue, but the sermon on the Mount presents us a brilliant example of Jesus’ authoritative teaching. He emerges as the new Moses. Like Moses who went to the Mount to receive the law, Jesus also goes up on a mountain, but not to receive the law but to deliver new series of laws. On the Mount, Jesus did what Moses could never do: he claims authority over the Torah. Talking about murder, Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘You shall not kill, and whoever kills will be liable to judgement. But now I saw to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgement…’” (Mt. 5:21-22). About adultery Jesus again referred to Torah, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart’” (Mt. 5:27-28.) About love, Jesus again refers to Torah, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you…’” (Mt. 5:43-44).

What Jesus means is that even though they have heard it said in the Torah, he, the Holy One of God, God’s Anointed One born in Bethlehem, raised in Nazareth is the One everyone should pay attention to and listened to. With those words, Jesus claims authority over the Torah, and the Torah was the authority beyond which there was no appeal. Jesus is basically saying, listen and do what I am saying, for the prescriptions of the Torah are insufficient. This is why his listeners were greatly amazed by his teaching.