[1] This chapter details Jesus' three temptations, the start of his "Galilean Ministry",[2] and his rejection at Nazareth, which Luke contrasts with his acclaim in nearby Capernaum.

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are: Jesus, as in Matthew 4 and Mark 1, travels into the desert and fasts for forty days.

Raymond Brown sees his return in Luke 22:53 when Jesus says to those arresting him "But this is your hour, and the power of darkness".

Outraged, the people attack him and chase him to the top of a hill and try to throw him off, but Jesus slips away through the crowd and continues "on his way".

They come and find him there but he tells them that he must also go to the surrounding towns, where he is to travel and preach the good news of the Kingdom of God, "for I was sent for this purpose".

Some ancient manuscripts (א, B, C, L and other uncials) refer to τὰς συναγωγὰς τῆς Ἰουδαίας, tas synagōgas tēs Ioudaias, "the synagogues of Judea".

This manuscript tradition is reflected in the Novum Testamentum Graece, and hence in most modern Bible translations, including the RSV, ESV, NRSV, NASB, NAB and NIV.