Luke 4:41
And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
3 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀπὸ
out of
G575
ἀπὸ
out of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
5 of 30
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
πολλῶν
many
G4183
πολλῶν
many
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
6 of 30
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
κράζοντα
crying out
G2896
κράζοντα
crying out
Strong's:
G2896
Word #:
7 of 30
properly, to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, i.e., (genitive case) to call aloud (shriek, exclaim, intreat)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λέγοντα
saying
G3004
λέγοντα
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
9 of 30
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
10 of 30
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸς
the Son
G5207
υἱὸς
the Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
16 of 30
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
18 of 30
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπιτιμῶν
he rebuking
G2008
ἐπιτιμῶν
he rebuking
Strong's:
G2008
Word #:
20 of 30
to tax upon, i.e., censure or admonish; by implication, forbid
αὐτὸν
that he
G846
αὐτὸν
that he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
23 of 30
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
25 of 30
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ᾔδεισαν
they knew
G1492
ᾔδεισαν
they knew
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
26 of 30
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Mark 1:34And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.James 2:19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.Mark 3:11And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.Matthew 4:3And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.John 20:31But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Historical Context
Messianic expectations in first-century Judaism were politically charged—most expected a military deliverer to overthrow Rome. Premature public identification as Messiah would trigger both false popular expectations and Roman/Jewish opposition before Jesus completed His teaching ministry. His "messianic secret" strategy involved demonstrating messiahship through works while controlling public proclamation until the appointed time. Demons' knowledge contrasts with human ignorance—spiritual beings recognized what religious leaders missed. Yet mere knowledge without submission brings no salvation—demons believe and tremble (James 2:19) but remain condemned.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Jesus refuse demonic testimony about His identity, even when theologically accurate?
- What does demons' accurate knowledge without salvation teach about the difference between intellectual belief and saving faith?
- How does Jesus' control over when and how His identity is revealed demonstrate His wisdom in dealing with mixed messianic expectations?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. The phrase daimonia... kraugazonta kai legonta (δαιμόνια... κραυγάζοντα καὶ λέγοντα, demons crying out and saying) indicates multiple exorcisms with demons vocally confessing Jesus' identity. The title ho Christos ho huios tou Theou (ὁ Χριστὸς ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ, the Christ the Son of God) is theologically precise—demons recognize both Jesus' messianic office (Christ) and divine nature (Son of God).
And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ. Despite accurate testimony, Jesus epitimōn ouk eia auta lalein (ἐπιτιμῶν οὐκ εἴα αὐτὰ λαλεῖν, rebuking did not permit them to speak). He maintained control over how and when His identity was revealed, refusing demonic testimony even when true. The reason: ēdeisan ton Christon auton einai (ᾔδεισαν τὸν Χριστὸν αὐτὸν εἶναι, they knew him to be the Christ). Jesus wouldn't allow demons to reveal what disciples must discover through faith.