Luke 4:26
What does Luke 4:26 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 4:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 4:26 means
Verse 26 continues the Elijah story: Elijah was sent only to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. This points out that God’s saving work was given to a Gentile, not to Israel’s many suffering widows. The example exposes the scandal of God’s mercy going beyond ethnic Israel and underlines divine sovereignty in choosing recipients of grace. Jesus uses it to challenge narrow assumptions of automatic favoritism and to warn his listeners that God’s plan may surprise them by reaching those outside expected circles, thereby testing their openness to God’s wider purposes.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and unto none of them was Elijah sent, but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and unto none of them was Elijah sent, but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But Elijah was not sent to one of them, but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and unto none of them was Elijah sent, but--to Sarepta of Sidon, unto a woman, a widow;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And to none of them was Elias sent, but to Sarepta of Sidon, to a widow woman.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and to none of them was Elias sent but to Sarepta of Sidonia, to a woman [that was] a widow.
Context
This verse completes the Elijah illustration and supports Jesus’ broader point about prophetic reception and God’s sovereign distribution of blessing. Placed after the general proverb, it concretizes the claim and heightens tension in the synagogue: Jesus implicitly compares Nazareth’s expectations to Israel’s disappointed claim on divine favor. This sets the scene for the second example from Elisha, which will further provoke the audience by highlighting cleansing given to a foreigner.
v.25But of a truth I say unto you, There were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there came a great famine over all the land;
v.26This passage
v.27And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Kings 17:9
Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Sidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow there to sustain thee.
- Matthew 11:21
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Luke 4
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Luke 4.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Poverty
God is close to the poor — and so, then, must we be.
Topic
Bible Verses About Children
God’s Word provides profound insights into the rearing, value, and blessing of children, as well as the responsibilities of both parents and children.
Topic
Bible Verses About Communion
Communion, often called the Lord's Supper, is a sacred practice remembering Jesus' sacrifice and looking forward to His return.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for Anxiety Before a Job Interview
Quiet your nerves and walk in with steady steps — six verses to pray on the way.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When Prayer Feels Empty
When the words won't come — scripture for the dry prayer life.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You Feel Forgotten by God
When the prayers feel one-sided — verses for the quiet seasons.