Luke 4:38
What does Luke 4:38 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 4:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 4:38 means
Verse 38 records that Jesus left the synagogue and entered Simon’s house, where Simon’s mother-in-law had a great fever; they besought Jesus for her healing. This scene shifts ministry from public teaching to private compassion. The family’s immediate request shows trust that Jesus’ authority can bring personal restoration. The mention of Simon’s household places the event in a concrete social context and prefigures Simon Peter’s coming central role. The request demonstrates faith in Jesus’ care for ordinary domestic suffering and prepares for a public pattern of widespread healing that will follow.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And he rose up from the synagogue, and entered into the house of Simon. And Simon’s wife’s mother was holden with a great fever; and they besought him for her.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And he rose up from the synagogue, and entered into the house of Simon. And Simon’s wife’s mother was holden with a great fever; and they besought him for her.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And he got up and went out of the Synagogue and went into the house of Simon. And Simon's wife's mother was very ill with a burning heat; and in answer to their prayers for her
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And having risen out of the synagogue, he entered into the house of Simon, and the mother-in-law of Simon was pressed with a great fever, and they did ask him about her,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Jesus rising up out of the synagogue, went into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever: and they besought him for her.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And rising up out of the synagogue, he entered into the house of Simon. But Simon's mother-in-law was suffering under a bad fever; and they asked him for her.
Context
This verse follows the spreading rumor and moves the narrative from synagogue demonstration to household ministry. It prepares for a sequence of healings that will underscore Jesus’ compassion and the reality of his restorative power. The focus on Simon’s house links public ministry with intimate care, leading into a broader scene where many bring the sick. The flow shows how Jesus moves from official teaching venues into the homes of those in need, demonstrating mercy in everyday settings.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 1:29
And straightway, when they were come out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
- 1 Corinthians 9:5
Have we no right to lead about a wife that is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
- Matthew 8:14
And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother lying sick of a fever.
- John 11:22
And even now I know that, whatsoever thou shalt ask of God, God will give thee.
- James 5:14
Is any among you sick? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
- Matthew 15:23
But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
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