Jesus is highlighting that even in times of severe national crisis, God's mercy wasn't limited to His own people. He intentionally points out that the miracles weren't for the many widows in Israel, but for a single widow in a foreign land, revealing a pattern of God extending grace beyond expectations.
But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just read from Isaiah and declared himself the fulfillment of that prophecy, but the people of his hometown, Nazareth, are skeptical. He’s anticipating their objection that he isn’t doing miracles in his own country, so he reminds them that even in Old Testament times, prophets like Elijah were sent to foreigners during severe famines, not to many of their own people. This sets up the expectation that God’s favor isn't limited to Israel, even when they desperately need it.
When Jesus spoke about God's power, he didn't just refer to events in Israel. He pointed to a time when God's help went far beyond familiar territory.
Jesus reminds the people of Nazareth that God's prophets, like Elijah, didn't always minister within Israel's borders. During a severe famine, God sent Elijah not to a widow in Israel, but to a widow in Zarephath, a Gentile city.
A Wider Scope
This wasn't about favoritism towards outsiders, but about demonstrating God's power and mercy on a broader scale. It showed that God's blessings weren't confined to one nation or group. Even in desperate times, God's provision could reach those outside the covenant community.
Why would Jesus, standing in his hometown, bring up stories where prophets seemed to bypass their own people?
Jesus uses the examples of Elijah and Elisha to highlight a consistent theme: when people reject God's messengers and His word, they often miss out on His blessings.
Miracles Denied
In the case of Elijah, there were many widows in Israel who could have received help during the famine, but God directed Elijah to a Gentile widow. Similarly, Elisha healed Naaman, a Syrian, not a leper from Israel. Jesus implies that this pattern isn't arbitrary; it's often a consequence of unbelief within the nation.
When Jesus speaks of these events, he's subtly addressing the very reason he might not perform miracles in Nazareth: their lack of faith. God's power, though abundant, can be hindered in its application by the stubborn unbelief of those who should have been receptive.
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Understand the original words
Yiśrāʾēl · Hebrew Proper Noun
A term denoting the covenant people of God, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, chosen to be a light to the nations and the vehicle through which the Messiah would come.
limos · Greek Noun
A period of severe scarcity of food, often associated in Scripture with divine judgment, testing, or a call to repentance, yet also serving as a context for God's miraculous provision.
nabiy' · Hebrew Noun
A messenger from God who speaks His word to His people or others. Prophets were chosen by God to reveal His will, rebuke sin, warn of judgment, and provide hope.
lepros · Greek Noun
A skin disease that in the Bible is often associated with impurity and exclusion from the community. It serves as a physical illustration of the corruption and separation caused by sin, necessitating divine intervention for cleansing.
katharizō · Greek Verb
To be made pure or ceremonially clean; to be freed from defilement. Biblically, this often involves a restoration to fellowship with God and the community following a period of uncleanness or sin.
Jesus' reference to Elijah and the widow of Zarephath highlights that God's favor and provision are not limited by national or ethnic boundaries, often extending to outsiders when His own people reject Him.
c. 870s BC
Elijah confronts King Ahab
Elijah the prophet confronts King Ahab and the people of Israel about their widespread idolatry, calling for a return to Yahweh.
c. 870s BC
Drought and famine begin
As a sign of God's judgment and Elijah's prophecy, the heavens are shut up, leading to a severe drought and famine throughout the land.
c. 870s BC— this verse
Elijah sent to Zarephath
God directs Elijah to the Gentile town of Zarephath, where he miraculously sustains a poor widow and her son during the famine.
c. 870s BC
Elijah's confrontation on Mount Carmel
Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal, and after God sends fire from heaven, the people are convinced, and the drought ends.
c. 860s BC
Elisha's ministry begins
Elisha succeeds Elijah, continuing prophetic ministry and performing miracles, including healing Naaman the Syrian.
This passage recounts the story of Elijah being sent to the widow of Zarephath, a foreigner, during the same famine Jesus mentions. It highlights God's mercy extending beyond Israel's borders, mirroring Jesus' point.
2 Kings 5:1-14This story features Elisha healing Naaman, a Syrian commander and a foreigner, of leprosy. It parallels Jesus' narrative by showing a prophet's ministry being used to bless someone outside of Israel, despite many in Israel needing healing.
Luke 7:11-17Jesus later raises the son of a widow in the town of Nain. This event directly echoes the Old Testament widow stories Jesus referenced, demonstrating His own compassion and power being displayed outside His hometown.
James 5:17-18The letter of James directly references Elijah's prayer for the drought and its cessation. This shows how the early church understood the significance of this event as a powerful example of persistent prayer and God's intervention.
cambridgeLuke 4:25: "But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;"
25 . many widows were in Israel ] So far from trying to flatter them, He tells them that His work is not to be for their special benefit or glorification, but that He had now passed far beyond the limitations of earthly relationships. three years and six months ] Such was the Jewish tradition, as we see al…
jfbLuke 4:25: "But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;"
25-27. But I tell you, &c.—falling back for support on the well-known examples of Elijah and Elisha (Eliseus), whose miraculous power, passing by those who were near, expended itself on those at a distance, yea on heathens, "the two great prophets who stand at the commencement of prophetic antiquity, and w…
Jesus is highlighting that even in times of severe national crisis, God's mercy wasn't limited to His own people. He intentionally points out that the miracles weren't for the many widows in Israel, but for a single widow in a foreign land, revealing a pattern of God extending grace beyond expectations.
Jesus has just read from Isaiah and declared himself the fulfillment of that prophecy, but the people of his hometown, Nazareth, are skeptical. He’s anticipating their objection that he isn’t doing miracles in his own country, so he reminds them that even in Old Testament times, prophets like Elijah were sent to foreigners during severe famines, not to many of their own people. This sets up the expectation that God’s favor isn't limited to Israel, even when they desperately need it.
Jesus has just read from Isaiah and declared himself the fulfillment of that prophecy, but the people of his hometown, Nazareth, are skeptical. He’s anticipating their objection that he isn’t doing miracles in his own country, so he reminds them that even in Old Testament times, prophets like Elijah were sent to foreigners during severe famines, not to many of their own people. This sets up the expectation that God’s favor isn't limited to Israel, even when they desperately need it.
"But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephat…" — Jesus is highlighting that even in times of severe national crisis, God's mercy wasn't limited to His own people. He intentionally points out that the miracles weren't for the many widows in Israel,…
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Last reviewed October 2026
