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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to overlook the sheer exhaustiveness of Jesus' healing here; He didn't just glance at a crowd, but "laid his hands on every one of them," demonstrating an incredible personal care and unwearied effort for each individual suffering soul. This wasn't a quick fix; it was a profound, personal investment of His power.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After a morning of powerful teaching and casting out demons in the synagogue, Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law, which sparked a wave of people bringing their sick to him. As sunset marked the end of the Sabbath, the crowds, now free to move and carry their afflicted, brought an overwhelming number of people to Jesus for healing. He tenderly laid his hands on each one, demonstrating an astonishing capacity and eagerness to bring wholeness to all who came.
Why did the crowds wait until sunset to bring the sick to Jesus? It wasn't just about the cool evening air.
The verse notes the healing occurred 'when the sun was setting.' This detail is significant because sunset marked the end of the Sabbath. Jewish law strictly prohibited carrying the sick or performing what was considered 'work' on the Sabbath day. Therefore, people waited for the Sabbath to conclude before bringing their afflicted loved ones to Jesus. This reveals a deep respect for the Law, even as they sought a miracle that transcended it. It also shows Jesus working within the cultural and religious framework of the time, demonstrating His authority while still honoring established customs.
Jesus 'laid His hands on every one of them.' This simple action was packed with divine authority and profound love.
The text emphasizes that Jesus 'laid His hands on every one of them.' This wasn't a perfunctory gesture. For Jesus, a touch conveyed power, compassion, and direct impartation of His divine life and healing. Unlike human physicians who might use tools or remedies, Jesus' touch was the remedy itself. It signifies His personal engagement and His willingness to be ritually 'touched' by those considered unclean, demonstrating His power to cleanse rather than be defiled. The phrase 'every one of them' speaks to His tireless, individual care for each person, showing the immense scope of His mercy and the completeness of His healing.
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Imagine the scene: a crowd of sick and suffering people, and Jesus healing them all. How was this even possible?
Luke 4:40 describes a massive outpouring of healing: '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.' The sheer volume and variety of diseases are staggering, yet Jesus addressed them all with remarkable ease. The commentators note that His healing was not a strained effort but flowed naturally from His divine nature. This wasn't about willpower or a difficult process; it was an inherent expression of His power. He didn't just make people 'better'; the healing was instant and complete. This event showcases Jesus' inexhaustible compassion and His absolute authority over sickness and disease, revealing Him as the powerful Son of God who brings restoration.
Understand the original words
nosos · Greek Noun
The physical, bodily ailments or sicknesses that afflict humanity; in the Gospels, these represent the entrance of the curse into the world and are targets of Jesus' restorative ministry.
epitithēmi cheir · Greek Verb phrase
A symbolic act of identification, commissioning, blessing, or the impartation of healing virtue; it signifies personal engagement and the transfer of divine power through the physical touch of the Savior.
therapeuō · Greek Verb
The act of restoring to wholeness or health; in the New Testament, it is both a physical restoration and a sign confirming the presence and authority of the kingdom of God.
The timing of this healing event, as the Sabbath drew to a close, highlights the tension between strict religious observance and Jesus' compassionate, life-giving ministry.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry in Galilee, teaching in synagogues and attracting followers with his message of the Kingdom of God and powerful miracles.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus Heals in the Capernaum Synagogue
Jesus casts out an evil spirit from a man in the Capernaum synagogue, demonstrating his authority over demonic forces.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus Heals Peter's Mother-in-Law
Immediately after the synagogue incident, Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law who was suffering from a high fever.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Sunset Ends the Sabbath in Capernaum
The Jewish Sabbath traditionally ended at sunset. This marked a time when previously restricted activities, like carrying the sick, became permissible.
Early 1st century AD
Mass Healing at Dusk
As the Sabbath ended at sunset, crowds brought their sick to Jesus, who compassionately healed them all by laying his hands on each one.
This passage directly connects Jesus' healing ministry to the Old Testament prophecy of Isaiah, highlighting that Jesus' actions fulfilled the Scripture by bearing our diseases and taking on our sicknesses.
Isaiah 53:4This prophetic passage speaks of a suffering servant who would bear our griefs and carry our sorrows, a concept powerfully illustrated by Jesus laying hands on the sick and healing them in Luke 4:40.
John 5:10-12This passage provides context for the timing of the healing, explaining that the Sabbath restrictions meant people often waited until sunset to bring the sick for healing, as implied by the timing in Luke 4:40.
Luke 6:19This verse describes a similar outpouring of Jesus' power where crowds sought to touch him because power was flowing out from him and healing them all, echoing the comprehensive healing seen in Luke 4:40.
expositorsLuke 4:40: "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."
-36 Chapter 16THE MIRACLES OF HEALING. IT is only natural that our Evangelist should linger with a professional as well as a personal interest over Christ’s connection with human suffering and disease, and that in recounting the miracles of healing He should be peculiarly at home; the theme would be in such thorough accord…
clarkeLuke 4:40: "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."
When the sun was setting - And consequently the Sabbath ended, for before this it would have been unlawful to have brought their sick to be healed.
It's easy to overlook the sheer exhaustiveness of Jesus' healing here; He didn't just glance at a crowd, but "laid his hands on every one of them," demonstrating an incredible personal care and unwearied effort for each individual suffering soul. This wasn't a quick fix; it was a profound, personal investment of His power.
After a morning of powerful teaching and casting out demons in the synagogue, Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law, which sparked a wave of people bringing their sick to him. As sunset marked the end of the Sabbath, the crowds, now free to move and carry their afflicted, brought an overwhelming number of people to Jesus for healing. He tenderly laid his hands on each one, demonstrating an astonishing capacity and eagerness to bring wholeness to all who came.
After a morning of powerful teaching and casting out demons in the synagogue, Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law, which sparked a wave of people bringing their sick to him. As sunset marked the end of the Sabbath, the crowds, now free to move and carry their afflicted, brought an overwhelming number of people to Jesus for healing. He tenderly laid his hands on each one, demonstrating an astonishing capacity and eagerness to bring wholeness to all who came.
"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." — It's easy to overlook the sheer exhaustiveness of Jesus' healing here; He didn't just glance at a crowd, but "laid his hands on every one of them," demonstrating an incredible personal care and unw…
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Last reviewed October 2026