Luke 4 40

Luke 4:40 kjv

Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.

Luke 4:40 nkjv

When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.

Luke 4:40 niv

At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.

Luke 4:40 esv

Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.

Luke 4:40 nlt

As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed every one.

Luke 4 verses

Luke 4 40 Meaning

Luke 4:40 describes a scene of profound divine healing following Jesus's teaching and previous miracle in the synagogue. As the Sabbath concluded at sunset, people brought to Jesus all who were sick with various diseases. He personally laid His hands on each one of them, and He healed them all. This verse powerfully illustrates Jesus's extensive healing power, His compassionate ministry to individuals, and the widespread demand for His miraculous touch, establishing Him as the promised Messiah.

Luke 4 40 Context

Luke 4:40 is set in Capernaum, following Jesus's pivotal ministry events on the Sabbath. Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus has been teaching in the synagogue of Capernaum and has powerfully cast out an unclean demon from a man (Luke 4:33-36). After leaving the synagogue, He goes to Simon's house (Peter), where He heals Simon's mother-in-law of a severe fever (Luke 4:38-39). The healing of Peter's mother-in-law is immediate and complete, allowing her to serve them. Luke 4:40 then describes what happened after this specific private healing, as the news of Jesus's power had spread throughout the region (Luke 4:37). The phrase "Now when the sun was setting" is crucial, indicating the precise moment the Sabbath officially ended according to Jewish law. During the Sabbath, it was forbidden to perform certain labors, including carrying the sick or traveling long distances to seek healing. Once sunset marked the end of the Sabbath, people were free to act, and they immediately brought their sick to Jesus, anticipating His miraculous intervention. This mass healing event demonstrates Jesus's authority not only over spiritual forces and specific ailments but over all sickness, and it establishes His ministry publicly to the common people, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah's role.

Luke 4 40 Word analysis

• Now when the sun was setting (Ὀψίας δὲ γενομένης):
  • Opsias (Ὀψίας): Evening.
  • Genomenēs (γενομένης): Having come to be, happening.
  • This phrase marks the exact transition from the Sabbath to the new day (Sunday). Jewish law strictly regulated activities on the Sabbath (Ex 20:8-10). Healing, though an act of mercy, was a point of contention with some religious leaders (Lk 6:6-11). By waiting until sunset, people were no longer in violation of the Sabbath ordinances as they interpreted them. It highlights Jesus's respect for the timing while also showing that His healing power was available and accessible once the traditional restraints were lifted.
• all they that had any sick (πάντες ὅσοι εἶχον ἀσθενεῖς):
  • Pantes (πάντες): All. This indicates the vast scale of the need and Jesus's capacity to meet it. It underscores His comprehensive power.
  • Astheneis (ἀσθενεῖς): Sick, infirm, weak. A general term for any kind of ailment.
• with divers diseases (νόσοις ποικίλαις):
  • Nόsois (νόσοις): Diseases, sicknesses.
  • Poikilais (ποικίλαις): Various, diverse, manifold. This emphasizes the wide spectrum of illnesses brought to Jesus—no single type, but every conceivable form of human affliction. It shows Jesus's mastery over all forms of illness, regardless of severity or cause.
• brought them unto him (ἤγαγον αὐτοὺς πρὸς αὐτόν):
  • Ēgagon (ἤγαγον): They brought, led. Implies effort on the part of those bringing the sick. It indicates active faith and anticipation of healing.
  • Autous (αὐτοὺς): Them. Referring to the sick.
• and he laid his hands on every one of them (ἑνὶ ἑκάστῳ αὐτῶν τὰς χεῖρας ἐπιθείς):
  • Heni hekastō (ἑνὶ ἑκάστῳ): On each one, on every single one. This is highly significant. Despite the vast numbers (implied by "all" and "divers diseases"), Jesus did not heal with a general command from a distance or by a group blessing. He individually ministered to each person with personal touch.
  • Tas cheiras (τὰς χεῖρας): The hands. The act of "laying on of hands" (epititheis) was a common biblical practice signifying blessing, consecration, imparting spiritual gifts, or in this case, conveying healing power (Mk 6:5; Lk 13:13; Acts 9:17). It conveyed personal empathy and the transfer of divine power.
  • Epíveis (ἐπιθείς): Having laid upon, placing on (aorist participle, simultaneous action). The imperfect tense epetithei is used elsewhere in the Synoptics (Mk 1:34) and might suggest continuous action over time as He ministered to a large crowd. This implies that the process of healing the multitude took time, yet He attended to each one.
• and healed them (ἐθεράπευσεν αὐτούς):
  • Estrapesusen (ἐθεράπευσεν): He healed, cured. This verb signifies completed action. It implies a thorough and effective restoration to health.
  • Autous (αὐτούς): Them. Every single one that He laid His hands on.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him": This whole phrase depicts a vivid picture of urgent expectation and desperate hope. The timing indicates respect for traditional observance while highlighting the overwhelming need that propelled people to action as soon as it was permissible. The descriptor "divers diseases" (poikilais nosois) illustrates the wide dominion Jesus held over all forms of suffering. The act of "brought them" underscores the human effort and faith required to seek Jesus.
• "and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them": This demonstrates Jesus's unique and personal ministry. It emphasizes His compassion and availability to every individual, despite the throng. He wasn't distant; He was intimately involved in each person's restoration. The combination of personal touch ("laid his hands") and complete efficacy ("healed them") showcases His divine authority and personal empathy, fulfilling the Messianic role of the Great Healer (Isa 53:4). This is a public display of His authority not just over demons but over the physical brokenness of humanity.

Luke 4 40 Bonus section

The scale of healing in Luke 4:40 suggests Jesus worked late into the night. This mass healing was not merely about alleviating physical suffering; it served as undeniable evidence of His divine power and confirmed His messianic claims, particularly after publicly announcing His mission from Isaiah 61 in the synagogue. It established a reputation that would draw multitudes throughout His ministry, making Him approachable to all who suffered. This scene beautifully portrays Jesus's willingness to be accessible and hands-on, never shying away from human brokenness, regardless of its form or scale. The implication is also that healing is part of the Lord's redemptive work, not just confined to spiritual deliverance but extending to the physical body.

Luke 4 40 Commentary

Luke 4:40 marks a significant moment in Jesus's Galilean ministry. After demonstrating His power in the synagogue over an unclean spirit and privately healing Peter's mother-in-law, news had spread. As the Sabbath concluded at sunset, a massive congregation of suffering humanity flocked to Him. This timing was critical, showing people's respect for the Sabbath laws while simultaneously demonstrating their urgent need and hope placed in Jesus.

The depth of this verse lies in two profound aspects: the comprehensiveness of the ailments ("divers diseases") and the personalized nature of Jesus's healing ("laid his hands on every one of them"). He was not a distant God; He was intimately engaged, touching each suffering individual. This personal touch would have been deeply meaningful, signifying care, identification, and a direct channel for divine power. It sets Jesus apart from religious leaders who might keep people at a distance. The outcome was complete healing for all, without exception, attesting to His unparalleled authority and compassion over all forms of sickness. This event solidifies Jesus's identity as the Christ, performing deeds that resonate with prophetic expectations of a caring, mighty Messiah who takes on the infirmities of His people.