New Testament

Luke 4:25

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In this verse, Jesus refers to a time during the ministry of the prophet Elijah when there was a severe drought and famine in Israel lasting three and a half years.

Author
Luke the physician
Written
Around AD 60-62
Genre
Gospel and history
Original Audience
Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
CBTClear Bible Translation

But I tell you the truth, there were many widows in Israel during the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut for three years and six months, and a great famine was throughout all the land;

KJVKing James Version

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;

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, Jesus refers to a time during the ministry of the prophet Elijah when there was a severe drought and famine in Israel lasting three and a half years. Despite the many widows in Israel at that time, God chose to send Elijah to help a widow in Zarephath, a Gentile city. This highlights God's grace and mercy extending beyond Israel to those outside the covenant community. Jesus uses this example to illustrate that God's blessings are not limited to the chosen people but are available to all who have faith, regardless of their background. This statement was significant as it challenged the exclusivity of the Jewish people and pointed to a broader mission of salvation that includes all nations. It serves as a reminder that God's love and provision can reach anyone, and it calls for humility and openness to God's work in unexpected places. Explore related inclusivity.

Key themes

Related topics

inclusivity, provision, faith

How to apply Luke 4:25 to your life

This verse encourages us to recognize that God's love and help are available to everyone, not just a select few. We should be open to God's work in unexpected ways and among unexpected people, fostering a spirit of inclusivity and compassion in our communities.

Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Luke 4:25 mean?

Luke 4:25 refers to a time when the prophet Elijah was sent to help a widow in Zarephath during a severe famine in Israel. This illustrates that God's mercy extends beyond Israel to all people, emphasizing that His blessings are available to anyone who has faith.

What is the significance of the widow in Luke 4:25?

The widow in Luke 4:25 represents those outside of Israel who received God's help, highlighting the theme of inclusivity in God's grace. Jesus uses her story to challenge the notion that God's blessings are only for the Jewish people.

What does the phrase 'heaven was shut' mean in Luke 4:25?

The phrase 'heaven was shut' in Luke 4:25 refers to a period of drought when no rain fell for three and a half years, leading to famine. This emphasizes the severity of the situation in Israel during Elijah's time.

How does Luke 4:25 relate to God's mercy?

Luke 4:25 illustrates God's mercy by showing that He chose to help a Gentile widow instead of the many widows in Israel. This demonstrates that God's love and provision are not limited to a specific group but are available to all.

The Book of Luke
Book Summary

The Book of Luke

Luke 1: The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus Foretold

In the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a priest named Zacharias serves in the temple. He and his wife Elisabeth are both righteous but have no children because Elisabeth is barren, and they are both old. While Zacharias burns incense, the angel Gabriel appears to him and says Elisabeth will bear a son who is to be named John. The child will be great before the Lord, will drink no wine or strong drink, and will be filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. Zacharias asks how he can know this, since he and his wife are old. Gabriel says Zacharias will be unable to speak until these things come to pass because he did not believe.

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