Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.

LUKE 4:40KJV
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Luke 4:40 (KJV)

What does Luke 4:40 mean?

Luke 4:40 describes how, as the sun was setting, people brought all those who were sick with various diseases to Jesus, and he personally laid his hands on each one and healed them. This verse shows Jesus responding to a large crowd with individual attention and compassion, healing every person brought to him.

The setting is in the early part of Jesus’ ministry, in the town of Capernaum. After the Sabbath, when people were free to travel, many came to Jesus seeking help for their sick loved ones. Luke emphasizes that Jesus did not just heal a few, but laid hands on every single person, showing both his power and his willingness to care for each individual.

The Greek behind Luke 4:40

  • "ἥλιος" (hēlios, "sun") and "δύνω" (dynō, "setting"): The mention of the sun setting signals the end of the Sabbath, when people could finally bring the sick to Jesus. This detail explains the timing and the sudden rush of people.
  • "ποικίλαις" (poikilais, "divers" or "various"): This word means "many kinds" or "all sorts," highlighting that people came with all kinds of illnesses, not just one type.
  • "ἐπέθηκεν" (epethēken, "laid [his hands]"): This verb shows Jesus’ personal involvement. He did not heal from a distance but touched each person, which was significant in a culture where many sick people were considered untouchable.
  • "ἰᾶτο" (iato, "healed"): This word means to make whole or restore, emphasizing not just physical recovery but a complete act of care.

Why Luke 4:40 matters

  • Luke 4:40 clears up any idea that Jesus’ healing was selective or limited; he healed every person brought to him, regardless of their illness.
  • The verse highlights Jesus’ compassion and personal touch, showing that he did not treat people as a crowd but cared for each individual.
  • This scene connects to the wider passage by showing the immediate, powerful impact of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee and sets the stage for the growing crowds and attention he would receive.

Where else these words appear

“setting” Greek G1416 · used in 2 verses

  • Mark 1:32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.

“divers” Greek G4164 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 4:24 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.
  • Titus 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
  • James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

“diseases” Greek G3554 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 4:23 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.
  • Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
  • 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;

“sun” Greek G2246 · used in 32 verses

  • Matthew 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
  • Luke 23:45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
  • Revelation 7:2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,