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;

LUKE 4:25KJV
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Luke 4:25 (KJV)

What does Luke 4:25 mean?

Luke 4:25 describes how, during the time of the prophet Elijah, there were many widows in Israel, but a severe famine lasted three and a half years, affecting the whole land. Jesus is pointing out that this hardship was widespread and affected many people in Israel during Elijah’s days.

Jesus is speaking to people in his hometown synagogue in Nazareth, reminding them of a story from Israel’s history. He refers to Elijah (called "Elias" here) and the famine, setting up a point about how God’s help sometimes went to outsiders rather than to the people of Israel themselves. This sets the stage for Jesus’ larger message about who receives God’s attention and mercy.

The Greek behind Luke 4:25

  • ἀληθῶς (alēthōs, "of a truth"): This word emphasizes that what Jesus is saying is reliable and important, not just a casual comment.
  • ἔτη τρία καὶ μῆνας ἕξ (etē tria kai mēnas hex, "three years and six months"): The Greek here is specific about the length of the famine, highlighting its severity and the long period of suffering.
  • λιμός (limos, "famine"): The Greek word for famine points to a time of extreme need and hunger, underlining the desperation of the situation Jesus describes.

Why Luke 4:25 matters

  • Luke 4:25 helps clarify that Jesus is drawing on a well-known story to challenge his listeners’ assumptions about God’s favor, especially toward their own people.
  • The verse sets up the following verses, where Jesus explains that Elijah was sent to help a widow outside Israel, hinting at the broader reach of God’s mercy.
  • Understanding the historical setting and the emphasis on the famine’s length shows how serious the situation was, making Jesus’ point about God’s choices even sharper.

Where else these words appear

“six” Greek G1803 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
  • John 2:6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
  • Acts 18:11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

“famine” Greek G3042 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
  • Luke 15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
  • Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

“up” Greek G2808 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
  • John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
  • Revelation 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

“months” Greek G3376 · used in 18 verses

  • Luke 1:24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
  • Acts 18:11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
  • Revelation 9:5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.