Jesus then went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the sabbath, 32 and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority. 33 In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out in a loud voice, 34 “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 35 Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be quiet! Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him any harm. 36 They were all amazed and said to one another, “What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” 37 And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region.
In this passage, we see Jesus teaching in Capernaum with a surprising effect. Unlike other teachers who often rely on quoting authorities or repeating tradition, Jesus, being fully human and fully divine, spoke with His own authority. The people were amazed because His words carried the power of God Himself (v. 32).
As Jesus taught, a man possessed by an unclean spirit cried out, “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” (vv. 33-34).
The people were amazed at Jesus’ teaching because it carried a power they had never witnessed. Yet they did not fully understand the source of His authority. The unclean spirits, however, being spiritual beings who can perceive the true nature of Jesus, recognized Him immediately as the Son of God and were compelled to obey, revealing the divine power behind His words.
Jesus commanded the spirit to come out, and the demon left the man immediately (v. 35). The people were astonished, asking among themselves, “What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” (v. 36).
This passage highlights that Jesus’ authority is not only in teaching but also in confronting the forces of evil. His words and presence carry divine power. The amazement of the crowd points to a deeper truth: the kingdom of God is breaking into human life, challenging darkness and restoring freedom to those bound by evil. This divine kingdom continues to advance in our world today through Christ’s presence in the Church, through the many ways God’s grace works in our lives, and in the faithful hearts of believers. It will reach its full and final fulfillment at His second coming, when all creation will be renewed and every form of evil will be finally defeated.
Even today, spiritual attacks can show up in ways that feel confusing, discouraging, or frightening. They often appear as persistent temptations, fear, anxiety, or a sense of being “pushed” toward harmful choices. Unlike ordinary struggles, these attacks may make you feel trapped, powerless, or disconnected from God. The key to responding is simple: remain close to Christ. Pray regularly, read Scripture, participate in the sacraments and the many ways God’s grace works in our lives, and seek guidance from a trusted spiritual mentor. Avoid practices that open the soul to unknown spiritual influence, such as occult or superstitious rituals. Remember that Jesus’ power over evil is the same now as it was in Capernaum—trust in Him, speak His name in prayer, and rely on His grace, and you are protected.
Unclean demons, in biblical terms, are spiritual beings created good by God who rebelled and now oppose God and His plan to bring humanity into eternal communion with Him through Christ. While they are under God’s ultimate control, they seek to harm humanity or lead people into sin because sin separates us from God. They could recognize Jesus because He is the Son of God, fully divine and fully human, and His presence exposes their opposition (Mk. 1:24; Lk. 4:34). Such beings exist today, though we may not perceive them directly. Believers can be protected through prayer, the sacraments and God’s grace, obedience to God’s commandments and Christ’s teachings, and faith in Christ’s victory over evil.
We can apply this passage today by remembering that the same Jesus who spoke with authority in Capernaum continues to speak in our lives through Scripture, prayer, and the guidance of the Church. Faith in Him frees us from fear and invites us to live boldly for God, confident that He has power over all forces that oppose His will.
Lord Jesus, we marvel at Your power and authority. Help us to listen to Your words with faith, trust Your protection, and rely on Your strength when we face fear, evil, or uncertainty. May Your presence guide us and bring freedom, peace, and courage to our hearts. Amen.
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Sources and References
- The Holy Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition (2011), Lk. 4:31-37.
- A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture, ed. Bernard Orchard et al. (1953), pp. 234-236.
- The Navarre Bible: Luke, Faculty of the University of Navarre (2008), pp. 112-114.
- The Paulist Biblical Commentary, ed. José Enrique Aguilar Chiu et al. (2018), pp. 140-142.
- St. John Chrysostom (c. 347–407), Homilies on Luke.
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