Jesus and the Healing Philosophy

Jesus manifesto (Lk 4:14-30) and rejection in Nazareth (Matt 13:55-58, Mk 6:2-6)

Immediately after being baptized in the Spirit and having defeated the devil's attempts to subvert his mission by tempting him in the desert, Jesus returned to Galilee 'in the power of the Spirit' and taught in the synagogues. He went to Nazareth on the Sabbath and, in the synagogue, was given the scroll of Isaiah to read out. He found Isaiah 61:1-2 and read:

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me preach good news to the poor. He sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.

He sat down and said, 'Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing'. They were amazed saying , 'Isn't this Joseph's son?'. He answered that no prophet is accepted in his home town since he perceived they were wondering why he didn't do miracles here as he had in Capernaum. Luke doesn't record any healing prior to this in Capernaum or anywhere else.

Matthew 13 and Mark 6 put this incident somewhat later in his ministry than Luke does. Luke puts it near the beginning of the gospel because of its theological significance. Matthew and Mark put the incident after Jairus' daughter. Mk 6:5,6 says he could not do many miracles there except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them because of their lack of faith, which amazed him. He referred to Elijah and Elisha healing non-Jews and the people became furious and tried to throw him off a cliff.