Hometown Rejection
When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time. Luke 4:13 · Berean Standard Bible
When the devil had tried everything, he left Jesus alone—but only until the next opportunity came along.
The devil didn't give up permanently. He pulled back and waited for a better moment to attack. That moment would come at the cross.
Luke notes the devil's retreat with an ominous warning about his return.
Jesus wins this round decisively. But Luke hints that the devil is patient. He will come back at the worst possible moment—in the garden, through Judas, at the cross.
Having exhausted every temptation (panta peirasmon), the devil departs (apestē) until an opportune time (achri kairou). The phrase 'until an opportune time' signals that temptation will return.
Luke's achri kairou ('until a strategic moment') foreshadows the devil's return at the Passion (Luke 22:3, 53). Jesus wins this battle but the war continues until the cross.
Luke narrates the devil's tactical withdrawal.
The devil retreats—for now. Having failed in the wilderness, he will wait for a more vulnerable moment. The 'opportune time' arrives in Gethsemane when Judas becomes his instrument.
11and they will lift You up in their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’”
12But Jesus answered, “It also says, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
13When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.
14Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and the news about Him spread throughout the surrounding region.
15He taught in their synagogues and was glorified by everyone.
Read all of Luke 4 — Jesus reads from Isaiah in his hometown synagogue and claims the prophecy is fulfilled in himself. The congregation tries to throw him off a cliff.
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