Cause of the Nazarenes' Wrath
J. Baring. Gould, M. A. Luke 4:28-31 And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,… What was actually the cause of the sudden upboil of these men's wrath? It was that their selfesteem was wounded. Christ declared that only the humble and meek would be able to receive Him. Elijah was persecuted, and received only by one poor widow. Naaman was unworthy to be healed till he humbled himself to dip in despised Jordan. The men of Nazareth understood the inference. It was not flattering to their pride; they could not be fed and healed unless they became humble, and submitted to the Lord's Christ. This they would not do — and they cast Him out of their city. As with Christ, so with His Church, and with His messengers. As long as they preach a gospel which does not touch man's pride and lower his selfesteem, they wonder at the graciousness of the gospel; but the moment it bids them not to be wise in their own conceits, insists on submission of body, soul, and reason to Christ, and calls to a lowly walk and self-abasement, then men rise up against the Church, and its ministers, and against the true gospel of Christ, and would, if they could, cast it out of their city, and hurl it from their thoughts. (J. Baring. Gould, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, WEB: They were all filled with wrath in the synagogue, as they heard these things.