King James Version

What Does Luke 4:27 Mean?

Luke 4:27 in the King James Version says “And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syri... — study this verse from Luke chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.

Luke 4:27 · KJV


Context

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;

26

But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.

27

And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.

28

And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,

29

And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. brow: or, edge


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. Jesus cites a second example from Elisha's ministry (2 Kings 5). The emphatic oudeis autōn ekatharisthē, ei mē (οὐδεὶς αὐτῶν ἐκαθαρίσθη, εἰ μή, not one of them was cleansed, except) underscores God's sovereign choice. Many Israelite lepers remained unhealed while God cleansed Naaman, commander of the Syrian army—Israel's enemy.

Leprosy represented both physical disease and ceremonial uncleanness, often understood as divine judgment. The verb katharizō (καθαρίζω, to cleanse) carries both physical and ceremonial meaning—Naaman was healed and made ritually clean. That God chose to cleanse a Gentile military leader who didn't worship YHWH while Israelite lepers suffered demonstrated that God's grace isn't constrained by ethnicity, merit, or covenant status. This pointed directly to Jesus' mission to seek and save the lost, including Gentiles.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Elisha ministered in the Northern Kingdom during the 9th century BC, succeeding Elijah. Second Kings 5 records Naaman's healing—he was commander of Syria's (Aram's) army, which had defeated Israel in battle. Syria was Israel's bitter enemy. That God sent a captive Israelite girl to witness to Naaman, then cleansed him through the prophet's word, while Israelite lepers remained unhealed, was deeply offensive to Jewish pride. Naaman initially resisted Elisha's simple command to wash seven times in the Jordan, expecting elaborate ritual. His healing came through humble obedience, not merit.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's cleansing of Israel's enemy while Israelite lepers suffered reveal about grace transcending human categories?
  2. How does Naaman's healing through simple obedience (despite initial resistance) illustrate salvation by faith, not works?
  3. Why would Jesus' citation of God blessing Gentiles while bypassing Israel particularly enrage His Nazareth audience?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 20 words
καὶ1 of 20

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πολλοὶ2 of 20

many

G4183

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

λεπροὶ3 of 20

lepers

G3015

scaly, i.e., leprous (a leper)

ἦσαν4 of 20

were

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

ἐπὶ5 of 20

in the time

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

ἐλισσαίου6 of 20

of Eliseus

G1666

elissaeus, an israelite

τοῦ7 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

προφήτου8 of 20

the prophet

G4396

a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet

ἐν9 of 20

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ10 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰσραὴλ11 of 20

Israel

G2474

israel (i.e., jisrael), the adopted name of jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)

καὶ12 of 20

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οὐδεὶς13 of 20

none

G3762

not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing

αὐτῶν14 of 20

of them

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐκαθαρίσθη15 of 20

was cleansed

G2511

to cleanse (literally or figuratively)

εἰ16 of 20
G1487

if, whether, that, etc

μὴ17 of 20
G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

Νεεμὰν18 of 20

Naaman

G3497

neeman (i.e., naaman), a syrian

19 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Σύρος20 of 20

the Syrian

G4948

a syran (i.e., probably tyrian), a native of syria


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 4:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 4:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study