Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.

LUKE 4:34KJV
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Luke 4:34 (KJV)

What does Luke 4:34 mean?

Luke 4:34 records a demon-possessed man in a synagogue crying out to Jesus, recognizing Him as "the Holy One of God" and expressing fear that Jesus has come to destroy them. The verse shows that even evil spirits recognize Jesus' authority and identity, and they react with alarm at His presence.

In this scene, the speaker is not the man himself but the demon inside him, addressing Jesus directly in front of others. The demon calls Jesus "Jesus of Nazareth" and openly acknowledges who He is, which is unusual since most people around Jesus do not yet fully understand His identity. The demon's question, "art thou come to destroy us?" reveals both fear and an understanding of Jesus' power over evil.

The Greek behind Luke 4:34

  • "Destroy" (ἀπολέσαι, apolesai): This word means to ruin or bring to an end, and the demon uses it to express fear that Jesus has the authority to end their existence or power.
  • "Holy One" (ἅγιος, hagios): The demon calls Jesus "the Holy One of God," a title that points to Jesus' unique relationship with God, setting Him apart as pure and divinely chosen.
  • "Let us alone" (ἔα, ea): This is a plea for Jesus not to interfere, showing that the demon feels threatened by Jesus' presence and authority.

Why Luke 4:34 matters

  • This verse highlights that even supernatural evil recognizes Jesus' true identity and authority, which many humans around Him have not yet grasped.
  • The reaction of the demon shows that Jesus' arrival brings a direct challenge to the powers of evil, setting the stage for His ministry of deliverance.
  • Luke 4:34 connects to the wider passage by showing Jesus' authority not just in teaching but also over spiritual forces, underlining His unique role in God's plan.

Where else these words appear

“alone” Greek G1436 · used in 2 verses

  • Mark 1:24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

“Nazareth” Greek G3479 · used in 4 verses

  • Mark 1:24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
  • Mark 14:67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.
  • Mark 16:6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

“destroy” Greek G622 · used in 86 verses

  • Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
  • Luke 6:9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
  • John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

“art” Greek G1488 · used in 89 verses

  • Matthew 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
  • 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.
  • John 18:17 Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not.