Luke 4:1
And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
Original Language Analysis
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
1 of 17
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
πνεύματι
Ghost
G4151
πνεύματι
Ghost
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
3 of 17
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
ἁγίου
of the Holy
G40
ἁγίου
of the Holy
Strong's:
G40
Word #:
4 of 17
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
ὑπέστρεψεν
returned
G5290
ὑπέστρεψεν
returned
Strong's:
G5290
Word #:
6 of 17
to turn under (behind), i.e., to return (literally or figuratively)
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
7 of 17
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἤγετο
was led
G71
ἤγετο
was led
Strong's:
G71
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεύματι
Ghost
G4151
πνεύματι
Ghost
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
14 of 17
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
15 of 17
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Cross References
Acts 10:38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.Luke 4:18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,Isaiah 61:1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;John 3:34For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.Matthew 3:16And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:John 1:32And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.Ezekiel 3:14So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me.Luke 4:14And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.Acts 8:39And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.1 Kings 19:4But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
Historical Context
The wilderness location recalls Israel's 40-year wilderness wandering after Egyptian exodus. Israel repeatedly failed testing through disobedience and idolatry, forfeiting their inheritance. Jesus' 40 days echo this period, but He succeeds where Israel failed. The wilderness also evokes Elijah's wilderness experiences and John the Baptist's wilderness ministry. In Jewish thought, wilderness represented both testing and spiritual encounter with God—a place of vulnerability requiring complete dependence on divine provision.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' Spirit-led entrance into temptation teach us about the relationship between spiritual anointing and spiritual warfare?
- What does Jesus' success in wilderness temptation reveal about His qualification to be the true Israel who perfectly obeys God?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus, 'full of the Holy Ghost,' was 'led by the Spirit into the wilderness.' The Greek 'plērēs pneumatos hagiou' (πλήρης πνεύματος ἁγίου, full of Holy Spirit) emphasizes Jesus' complete Spirit-anointing from His baptism. The Spirit's leading into wilderness for temptation demonstrates divine purpose in testing—not to cause failure but to prove and display Jesus' righteousness. Unlike Israel who failed wilderness testing, Jesus succeeds, showing Him as the true Israel who perfectly obeys God. Temptation follows anointing—spiritual strength invites spiritual attack.