Luke 4:27

"Elijah was sent to none of them, except to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow."

Key Reflection

In Luke 4:27, Jesus cites Isaiah 44:28 (which is where this passage originally comes from), contrasting Elijah's mission with the expected outreach of the Messiah. The historical and cultural context is that Elijah was a prophet sent primarily to Israelites, yet he performed his significant ministry in Sidon, a Gentile city, to a widow. This highlights how the fulfillment of prophecy often transcends racial or ethnic boundaries. For Jesus' audience, this served as an illustration that while the prophets ministered predominantly among their own people, the coming Messiah would offer salvation to both Jews and Gentiles, breaking down barriers of exclusion.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 27. Many {x} lepers. For an account of the leprosy See Barnes on "Mt 8:1". Time of Eliseus. Time of Elisha. The word Eliseus is the Greek way of writing the word Elisha, as Elias is of Elijah. Saving Naaman the Syrian. The account of his cure is contained in 2 Ki 5:1-27. {x} 2 Ki 5:14 __________________________________________________________________

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