Luke 4 39

Luke 4:39 kjv

And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.

Luke 4:39 nkjv

So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them.

Luke 4:39 niv

So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.

Luke 4:39 esv

And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.

Luke 4:39 nlt

Standing at her bedside, he rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she got up at once and prepared a meal for them.

Luke 4 verses

Luke 4 39 Meaning

Luke 4:39 describes Jesus' miraculous healing of Simon Peter's mother-in-law from a severe fever. Jesus approached her, demonstrated divine authority by rebuking the fever as if it were a conscious entity, causing it to immediately leave her. This complete and instant restoration of her health was evidenced by her immediate ability to rise and resume serving those present, particularly in preparing food and providing hospitality. The verse underscores Jesus' profound authority over disease, the immediacy and completeness of His healing power, and the natural human response of gratitude and service following divine intervention.

Luke 4 39 Context

Luke 4:39 takes place immediately after Jesus has taught with great authority in the Capernaum synagogue on the Sabbath, casting out a demon from a man. The account then seamlessly transitions from the synagogue to Simon Peter's home, where Jesus' compassionate power is further displayed in a domestic setting. This incident serves to further demonstrate Jesus' unique divine authority, not only over evil spirits but also over natural illnesses, even a severe one like a "great fever" (πυρετῷ μεγάλῳ). The immediate healing and her subsequent restoration to full activity provide concrete proof of Jesus' complete power and prepare the audience for the wider ministry of healing that follows later that same day (Luke 4:40-41). The location and circumstances highlight Jesus' personal and intimate care, bringing divine power directly into the daily lives of His followers.

Luke 4 39 Word analysis

Word-by-word analysis:

• And he stood over her, (καὶ ἐπιστὰς ἐπάνω αὐτῆς, kai epistas epanō autēs)

  • And he stood over her: Greek epistas (ἐπιστὰς), from ephistēmi, a participle meaning "having stood over" or "standing upon." It signifies proximity and a deliberate, authoritative posture rather than just being nearby. It suggests an act of intense focus or command. Luke, as a physician, likely observed the significant detail of Jesus' direct action near the afflicted person.
  • epanas suggests close contact, perhaps placing Himself in a position where He could exert authority or command, or even indicating physical nearness. This stands in contrast to healings from a distance or by simple word without close proximity.

• and rebuked the fever; (ἐπετίμησεν τῷ πυρετῷ, epetimēsen tō pyretō)

  • rebuked: Greek epetimēsen (ἐπετίμησεν), from epitimō. This strong verb implies a stern command, a sharp reprimand, or an authoritative censure. It's the same word used by Jesus to rebuke demons (Lk 4:35, 41) and the wind and sea (Mk 4:39). Its application to a physical illness like fever personifies the fever, treating it as an opposing force subject to Jesus' sovereign command. This emphasizes Jesus' complete power over illness itself, not merely its symptoms.
  • the fever: Greek pyretō megalō (πυρετῷ μεγάλῳ) "a great fever" or "high fever," specified in verse 38. Luke, often linked with medical precision, likely emphasized this as a severe, life-threatening condition, differentiating it from a common cold or mild temperature.

• and it left her: (καὶ ἀφῆκεν αὐτήν, kai aphēken autēn)

  • left: Greek aphēken (ἀφῆκεν), from aphiēmi, meaning "to send away," "to leave behind," "to abandon." This verb implies a complete and decisive departure. The fever didn't just lessen; it departed fully, signifying a total restoration of health, not a gradual recovery.

• and immediately she arose (παραχρῆμα ἀναστᾶσα διηκόνει αὐτοῖς, parachrēma anastasa diēkonei autois)

  • immediately: Greek parachrēma (παραχρῆμα), literally "at the present time" or "on the spot." This adverb highlights the instantaneous nature of the healing. There was no recovery period, no lingering weakness. The restoration was complete the very moment the fever left.
  • she arose: Greek anastasa (ἀναστᾶσα), a participle meaning "having arisen" or "standing up." This further demonstrates the complete nature of the healing – full strength was restored instantly. A person recovering from a "great fever" would typically be debilitated and unable to rise quickly, let alone perform duties.

• and ministered unto them. (καὶ διηκόνει αὐτοῖς, kai diēkonei autois)

  • ministered/served: Greek diēkonei (διηκόνει), from diakoneō. This is the root of "deacon" and implies humble service, often in providing food, care, or hospitality. In this context, it refers to her resuming her household duties, particularly preparing a meal for Jesus and the others (Simon and Andrew were present according to the parallel accounts). This act of service, performed immediately, powerfully affirms the totality and authenticity of her healing and is a natural overflow of gratitude and strength.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever": This phrase emphasizes Jesus' authoritative confrontation with the illness. His posture of standing over her, followed by the specific action of rebuking (treating the fever as a force to be conquered), highlights His unique power that operates not by human medicine or magic, but by divine command over the very source of affliction. This connects His healing authority to His authority over demons and even creation itself.

• "and it left her: and immediately she arose": This combination showcases the dramatic, undeniable completeness and speed of Jesus' healing. The departure of the fever, followed by the immediate regaining of full physical strength, provides empirical proof that this was no gradual recovery but a miraculous intervention. The dual aspects of "left her" (cessation of illness) and "arose" (restoration of vitality) are crucial.

• "and ministered unto them.": This final action signifies the perfect healing and the practical outcome of Jesus' miracle. Not only was the sickness gone, but her ability to function was completely restored. It also implies a spontaneous response of gratitude and selfless service. The act of diakonei (serving) is a hallmark of Jesus' own life and a key tenet of Christian discipleship, here modeled by someone newly freed from illness.

Luke 4 39 Bonus section

• The immediate resumption of duties (ministering/serving) is significant culturally, as hospitality was a high value, and also theologically. It illustrates that genuine healing from Christ leads to empowerment for service. She was not just cured, but restored to purpose.
• Luke, as potentially a physician, uses precise language for the fever (πυρετῷ μεγάλῳ) emphasizing its severity, lending credibility and specific detail to his account compared to parallels. This nuance validates the extraordinary nature of the instantaneous cure.
• This healing further substantiates Jesus' claims and authority proclaimed in the Nazareth synagogue (Luke 4:18-19). His power over sickness is part of the "good news to the poor" and "release to the captives," manifesting in practical, tangible ways.
• The personal and domestic setting of this healing contrasts with the public setting of the synagogue and broader healing ministry that followed, showcasing Jesus' compassion extends to individuals within the intimate spaces of life.

Luke 4 39 Commentary

Luke 4:39 provides a vivid demonstration of Jesus' unmatched authority over physical suffering. His direct "rebuke" of the fever—a command given as if to a sentient being—underscores that illness, like evil spirits, is a force subject to His divine power. Luke, likely for his Gentile audience and as a physician, carefully records the "great fever" (Lk 4:38), highlighting the severity of the illness and, thus, the magnitude of the miracle. The key takeaway is the instantaneous and absolute nature of the healing: "immediately it left her." There was no period of convalescence; instead, she "immediately... arose and ministered." This complete restoration of strength, enabling her to return to domestic duties without delay, served as undeniable proof of the miracle's divine origin and perfect efficacy. This rapid act of humble service after being healed illustrates a spontaneous response of gratitude and a living testament to Christ's transforming power. It foreshadows the life of service expected from those who encounter and are changed by Jesus.