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

LUKE 4:26KJV
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Luke 4:26 (KJV)

What does Luke 4:26 mean?

Luke 4:26 says that Elijah (called Elias in the King James Version) was not sent to help any widows in Israel during a famine, but only to a widow in Sarepta, a city in the region of Sidon. This highlights that God's help was given to a foreigner rather than to people from Israel.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to people in his hometown synagogue in Nazareth. He reminds them of a story from the Old Testament (1 Kings 17), where Elijah was sent to help a non-Israelite widow during a time of great need. Jesus uses this example to show that God's mercy and actions are not limited by national or ethnic boundaries, and sometimes outsiders receive God's help when insiders do not.

The Greek behind Luke 4:26

  • Ἠλίας (Ēlias): This is the Greek form of "Elijah," the famous prophet. Jesus refers to Elijah to connect his audience with a well-known story from their Scriptures.
  • Σάρεπτα (Sarepta): This is the Greek name for the town called Zarephath in the Old Testament, located in the region of Sidon, outside Israel. Mentioning this foreign city emphasizes that the widow was not an Israelite.
  • χήρα (chēra): This word means "widow." The detail that Elijah was sent to a widow highlights her vulnerable status and the unexpected nature of God's choice.

Why Luke 4:26 matters

  • Luke 4:26 challenges the assumption that God's favor is only for a particular group; Jesus points out that God sometimes chooses outsiders to receive his help.
  • By referencing Elijah and the widow of Sarepta, Jesus prepares his listeners for the idea that his own ministry will reach beyond Israel to include Gentiles.
  • This verse sets up the tension in the synagogue, as Jesus' audience realizes he is suggesting that God's blessings are not guaranteed based on heritage or location.

Where else these words appear

“Sidon” Greek G4605 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 11:21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
  • Mark 3:8 And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.
  • Luke 6:17 And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;

“widow” Greek G5503 · used in 25 verses

  • Matthew 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
  • Luke 18:5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
  • 1 Timothy 5:3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.

“Elias” Greek G2243 · used in 30 verses

  • Matthew 11:14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
  • Mark 6:15 Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.
  • Luke 4:25 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;

“was” Greek G3992 · used in 80 verses

  • Matthew 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
  • John 7:18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
  • Acts 19:31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.