King James Version

What Does Matthew 4:24 Mean?

Matthew 4:24 in the King James Version says “And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases a...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.”

Matthew 4:24 · King James Version


Context

22

And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

23

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

24

And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

25

And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.


Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
Jesus' comprehensive healing ministry demonstrated His divine authority and compassionate character. The breadth of ailments healed—'all manner of sickness and all manner of disease'—shows no malady was beyond His power. These healings were not merely humanitarian but served as 'signs' authenticating His messianic identity (Isaiah 35:5-6) and demonstrating His authority over the effects of the fall. Physical healing illustrated spiritual healing from sin.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus' healing ministry fulfilled Isaiah's prophecies of Messiah healing the sick and afflicted (Isaiah 35:5-6, 53:4). In first-century Palestine under Roman occupation, many lacked access to medical care. Jesus' healing brought immediate relief without cost or requirement of social status.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do Jesus' physical healings serve as signs pointing to His greater work of spiritual healing from sin?
  2. What does the indiscriminate nature of Jesus' healing (all manner of disease) reveal about the scope of His saving power?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Greek · 30 words
καὶ1 of 30

“And”

G2532

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

ἀπῆλθεν2 of 30

“went”

G565

to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively

ἡ3 of 30
G3588

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

ἀκοὴ4 of 30

“fame”

G189

hearing (the act, the sense or the thing heard)

αὐτούς5 of 30

“his”

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

εἰς6 of 30

“throughout”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

ὅλην7 of 30

“all”

G3650

"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb

τὴν8 of 30
G3588

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

Συρίαν·9 of 30

“Syria”

G4947

syria (i.e., tsyria or tyre), a region of asia

καὶ10 of 30

“And”

G2532

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

προσήνεγκαν11 of 30

“they brought”

G4374

to bear towards, i.e., lead to, tender (especially to god), treat

αὐτούς12 of 30

“his”

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

πάντας13 of 30

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τοὺς14 of 30
G3588

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

κακῶς15 of 30

“sick”

G2560

badly (physically or morally)

ἔχοντας16 of 30

“people”

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

ποικίλαις17 of 30

“divers”

G4164

motley, i.e., various in character

νόσοις18 of 30

“diseases”

G3554

a malady (rarely figuratively, of moral disability)

καὶ19 of 30

“And”

G2532

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

βασάνοις20 of 30

“torments”

G931

a touch-stone, i.e., (by analogy) torture

συνεχομένους21 of 30

“that were taken with”

G4912

to hold together, i.e., to compress (the ears, with a crowd or siege) or arrest (a prisoner); figuratively, to compel, perplex, afflict, preoccupy

καὶ22 of 30

“And”

G2532

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

δαιμονιζομένους23 of 30

“those which were possessed with devils”

G1139

to be exercised by a daemon

καὶ24 of 30

“And”

G2532

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

σεληνιαζομένους25 of 30

“those which were lunatick”

G4583

to be moon-struck, i.e., crazy

καὶ26 of 30

“And”

G2532

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

παραλυτικούς·27 of 30

“those that had the palsy”

G3885

as if dissolved, i.e., "paralytic"

καὶ28 of 30

“And”

G2532

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

ἐθεράπευσεν29 of 30

“he healed”

G2323

to wait upon menially, i.e., (figuratively) to adore (god), or (specially) to relieve (of disease)

αὐτούς30 of 30

“his”

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


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Matthew 4:24 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 Matthew 4:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study