What does Luke 4:27 mean?

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

Explanation

Luke 4:27 refers to a statement made by Jesus while he was teaching in the synagogue in Nazareth, his hometown. In this statement, Jesus is making a point about the openness (or lack thereof) to God’s message among the people of Israel by referencing historical events. The verse is highlighting God’s willingness to extend grace and miracles beyond the chosen people of Israel to include Gentiles (non-Jews), as illustrated in the story of Naaman the Syrian, who was healed of leprosy by the prophet Elisha (Eliseus in the Greek Septuagint, the translation of the Hebrew scriptures into Greek).

This healing story, which is recounted in 2 Kings 5, is brought up by Jesus to demonstrate the unexpected and sometimes controversial ways that God’s favor and healing might manifest itself, especially to those who have faith, regardless of their national or ethnic background. Leprosy was a disease that rendered individuals unclean and ostracized from society, making Naaman’s healing significant both physically and socially.

Historical Context

During Jesus’ time, Israel was under Roman occupation, and there was a strong nationalistic sentiment among the Jewish people, along with a corresponding disdain for foreigners, particularly the pagan Romans and their sympathizers. This was set against the backdrop of Jewish expectations for a Messiah who was hoped to restore Israel’s sovereignty and elevate the nation above its oppressors. Luke 4:27 occurs in the context where Jesus read from the book of Isaiah in the synagogue and proclaimed that the messianic prophecy was being fulfilled in their hearing, which was initially received well.

However, as Jesus began to challenge their expectations by referencing instances in Scripture where God’s mercy extended to non-Israelites, this favorable opinion turned to hostility, as the listeners became offended by the implication that God’s favor was not exclusive to them.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse is seen as foreshadowing the gospel message’s eventual spread to the Gentiles and the breaking down of barriers between Jews and non-Jews. It emphasizes God’s universal love and the accessibility of salvation to all people.

A broader theological point made by Jesus in this passage is that divine grace and miracles cannot be claimed by any one group based on heritage or religious identity alone. It is also a challenge to the listeners to reflect on their receptivity to God’s word and work.

Practical Applications

The teachings of this verse can be applied in daily life by encouraging individuals to:

• Embrace inclusivity, recognizing that no one has a monopoly on God’s grace.
• Be open to the movement of God beyond traditional or expected boundaries.
• Reflect on their own openness to God’s work in their lives, rather than feeling entitled to divine favor because of their religious affiliation or heritage.
• Extend kindness and compassion to all people, regardless of their background.

Cross-References

• 2 Kings 5:1-14: The original story of Naaman’s cleansing of leprosy by Elisha.
• Acts 10:34-35: Peter’s realization that God does not show favoritism but accepts those from every nation who fear him and do what is right.
• Galatians 3:28: The declaration that in Christ, there is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female.

Language Study

The key words in the original language are:

• “Lepers” (λεπροί, leproi) in Greek, referring to those suffering from various skin diseases, not necessarily Hansen’s disease (modern-day leprosy).
• “Eliseus” (Ἡλισαῖος, Elisaios) the Greek form of Hebrew “Elisha,” the prophet who performed the miracle.
• “Prophet” (προφήτης, prophētēs) meaning a spokesperson for God, one who declares divine messages.
• “Cleansed” (ἐκαθαρίσθη, ekatharisthē) in the passive voice, indicating that the healing was something done to the lepers, not something they achieved themselves.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the broader ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman world, miraculous healings were often associated with gods or heroes. For example, the Greek god Asclepius was known for his healing powers. However, the healing of Naaman the Syrian underlines a key difference in the biblical narrative: it emphasizes monotheism and faith in the God of Israel, rather than polytheism or hero worship.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern science understands leprosy to be a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae, treatable with antibiotics. In the ancient world, however, it was seen as an incurable and divine affliction. The story of Naaman being healed by Elisha might now be interpreted as a miraculous or symbolic event rather than a medical report as understood by contemporary science.

Commentaries

Various commentators and theologians offer insights into Luke 4:27:

• Matthew Henry’s Commentary notes that Jesus used this example to reprove the Jews’ unbelief and to remind them that God’s grace is not limited to them alone.
• The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges suggests that this was a foreshadowing of the calling of the Gentiles and was meant to provoke the Jews to jealousy, as mentioned by Paul in Romans 11:11.
• The Expositor’s Greek Testament mentions that Jesus’ references to Elijah and Elisha served to rebuke the narrow national spirit of His hearers and to prepare them for the idea of a Gospel for the Gentiles.