On the Road to Jerusalem: A Study of Luke (Jesus is Identified - Luke 3:21–4:13)

Join us as we use the Gospel of Luke to discuss the journey made by Jesus Christ to the city of Jerusalem, from his birth to his ascension. During our time together, we’ll look at the following:

• Session 1 - The Announcements (Luke 1:1-56)
• Session 2 - The Births (Luke 1:57–2:21)
• Session 3 - Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:22-52)
• Session 4 - The Ministry of the Baptist (Luke 3:1-20)
• Session 5 - Jesus is Identified (Luke 3:21–4:13)
• Session 6 - Off and Running (Luke 4:14–5:16)
• Session 7 - Early Controversies (Luke 5:17–6:11)
• Session 8 - Choosing and Preparing the 12 (Luke 6:12-6:49)
• Session 9 - The Christ (Luke 7:1-50)
• Session 10 - Hearing and Doing (Luke 8:1-21)
• Session 11 - Revealing the Power of God (Luke 8:22-56)
• Session 12 - You Are the Christ of God (Luke 9:1-27)
• Session 13 - A Different Kind of Christ (Luke 9:28-50)
• Session 14 - Beginning the Journey (Luke 9:51–10:24)
• Session 15 - Love of God and Neighbor (Luke 10:25-42)
• Session 16 - Prayer (Luke 11:1-13)
• Session 17 - Conflicts and Controversies (Luke 11:14-11:54)
• Session 18 - Getting Ready [Part 1] (Luke 12:1-12:34)
• Session 19 - Getting Ready [Part 2]  (Luke 12:35–13:9)
• Session 20 - Unexpected Reversals (Luke 13:10-13:35)
• Session 21 - Kingdom Etiquette (Luke 14:1-35)
• Session 22 - Parables of Joy (Luke 15:1-32)
• Session 23 - The Problem with Wealth (Luke 16:1-31)
• Session 24 - Forgiveness and Faith (Luke 17:1-19)
• Session 25 - The Kingdom Is Coming (Luke 17:20–18:8)
• Session 26 - Rich and Poor (Luke 18:9-18:30)
• Session 27 - Approaching the City (Luke 18:31–19:28)
• Session 28 - The Entry into Jerusalem (Luke 19:29-48)
• Session 29 - Jesus in the Temple Again (Luke 20:1–21:4)
• Session 30 - The Coming End (Luke 21:5-38)
• Session 31 - The Last Supper (Luke 22:1-20)
• Session 32 - Parting Words (Luke 22:21-38)
• Session 33 - Prayer, Arrest and Denials (Luke 22:39-62)
• Session 34 - Trials (Luke 22:63–23:25)
• Session 35 - Crucifixion and Death (Luke 23:26-56)
• Session 36 - Empty Tomb and Emmaus Road (Luke 24:1-35)
• Session 37 - The Blessing and Departure (Luke 24:36-53)

In our fifth session, we looked at Luke 3:21–4:13 and talked about how was identified at his baptism and during the temptations. The latter part of our discussion and passage are below.

Luke 3:21–4:13 [New Revised Standard Version]

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his work. He was the son (as was thought) of Joseph son of Heli, son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Melchi, son of Jannai, son of Joseph, son of Mattathias, son of Amos, son of Nahum, son of Esli, son of Naggai, son of Maath, son of Mattathias, son of Semein, son of Josech, son of Joda, son of Joanan, son of Rhesa, son of Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, son of Neri, son of Melchi, son of Addi, son of Cosam, son of Elmadam, son of Er, son of Joshua, son of Eliezer, son of Jorim, son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Simeon, son of Judah, son of Joseph, son of Jonam, son of Eliakim, son of Melea, son of Menna, son of Mattatha, son of Nathan, son of David, son of Jesse, son of Obed, son of Boaz, son of Sala, son of Nahshon, son of Amminadab, son of Admin, son of Arni, son of Hezron, son of Perez, son of Judah, son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, son of Terah, son of Nahor, son of Serug, son of Reu, son of Peleg, son of Eber, son of Shelah, son of Cainan, son of Arphaxad, son of Shem, son of Noah, son of Lamech, son of Methuselah, son of Enoch, son of Jared, son of Mahalaleel, son of Cainan, son of Enos, son of Seth, son of Adam, son of God.

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’” Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.