Luke 4:26

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G2532} unto {G4314} none {G3762} of them {G846} was {G3992} Elias {G2243} sent {G3992}, save {G1508} unto {G1519} Sarepta {G4558}, a city of Sidon {G4605}, unto {G4314} a woman {G1135} that was a widow {G5503}.

Complete Jewish Bible

but Eliyahu was sent to none of them, only to a widow in Tzarfat in the land of Tzidon.

Berean Standard Bible

Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to the widow of Zarephath in Sidon.

American Standard Version

and unto none of them was Elijah sent, but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Luke 4:26, Jesus, speaking in his hometown synagogue in Nazareth, cites the Old Testament example of the prophet Elijah. He highlights that despite many widows in Israel during a severe famine, Elijah was sent only to a Gentile widow in Sarepta, a city of Sidon. This statement serves as a provocative illustration of God's sovereign choice and His willingness to extend grace and miraculous provision beyond the expected boundaries of Israel, directly challenging the ethnocentric and exclusive mindset of his audience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal part of Jesus' inaugural sermon in Nazareth, as recorded in [Luke 4:16-30](/luke/4-16-30 "Luke 4:16-30 - Jesus' Sermon in Nazareth"). After reading from [Isaiah 61:1-2](/isaiah/61-1-2 "Isaiah 61:1-2 - The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me") and declaring its fulfillment in their hearing ([Luke 4:21](/luke/4-21 "Luke 4:21 - Today This Scripture Is Fulfilled")), the initial amazement of the crowd quickly turns to skepticism and questioning of his authority due to his humble origins ([Luke 4:22](/luke/4-22 "Luke 4:22 - Is Not This Joseph's Son?")). Jesus responds with the proverb, "No prophet is accepted in his own country" ([Luke 4:24](/luke/4-24 "Luke 4:24 - A Prophet Is Without Honor")), and then immediately provides two Old Testament examples to underscore his point: Elijah and the widow of Sarepta ([Luke 4:25-26](/luke/4-25-26 "Luke 4:25-26 - Elijah and the Widow")) and Elisha and Naaman the Syrian ([Luke 4:27](/luke/4-27 "Luke 4:27 - Elisha and Naaman")). These examples serve to justify his own rejection by his hometown and to reveal God's sovereign freedom to bless outside the confines of Israel, foreshadowing the future expansion of the Gospel to the Gentiles.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Nazareth, a small, unremarkable Galilean town. The audience, being Jewish, would have held strong nationalistic and religious convictions, believing themselves to be the exclusive recipients of God's favor due to their covenant relationship with Him. The Old Testament accounts of Elijah and Elisha were well-known, but Jesus' application of them would have been shocking. During Elijah's time, Israel experienced a severe famine ([1 Kings 17:1](/1_kings/17-1 "1 Kings 17:1 - Elijah Predicts Drought")), yet God chose to send His prophet not to a suffering Israelite widow, but to a Gentile woman in Sarepta (Zarephath), a Phoenician town near Sidon, outside the borders of Israel. This choice directly challenged the prevailing ethnocentric worldview that God's blessings were solely for Israel, highlighting a historical precedent for God's universal, unmerited grace.
* **Key Themes:** [Luke 4:26](/luke/4-26 "Luke 4:26 - Elijah and the Widow of Sarepta") powerfully contributes to several key themes within Luke's Gospel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it emphasizes **God's sovereign freedom and universal grace**, demonstrating that His favor is not limited by human expectations, national boundaries, or ethnic identity. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **rejection of the prophet in his hometown**, which directly parallels Jesus' own experience in Nazareth and foreshadows Israel's broader rejection of Him. Thirdly, it introduces the theme of **Gentile inclusion**, hinting at the future mission of the church to bring the Gospel to all nations, a theme that Luke extensively develops in the book of [Acts](/acts/1 "Acts 1 - The Book of Acts"). The story of the Sarepta widow from [1 Kings 17](/1_kings/17 "1 Kings 17 - Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath") also subtly underscores the theme of **faith beyond boundaries**, as the Gentile widow's faith was instrumental in her receiving God's miraculous provision.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Elias (Greek, _Hēlías'_):** This is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew prophet Elijah (G2243). Jesus' choice to invoke Elijah is significant because Elijah was one of Israel's greatest prophets, known for powerful miracles and confronting idolatry. By referencing him, Jesus draws on a revered figure to make a controversial point, lending historical weight to his argument about God's sovereign actions.
* **sent (Greek, _pémpō'_):** The verb "sent" (G3992) implies a divine commission or dispatch from a subjective point of view. It underscores that Elijah's mission to the Sarepta widow was not accidental or self-initiated, but a specific divine directive. This highlights God's purposeful and deliberate choice to extend grace beyond Israel's borders, emphasizing His initiative in salvation history.
* **widow (Greek, _chḗra'_):** The term "widow" (G5503) denotes a woman who has lost her husband, often signifying a state of vulnerability and dependency in ancient societies. The fact that God specifically sent Elijah to a *Gentile* widow, rather than one of the "many widows in Israel" ([Luke 4:25](/luke/4-25 "Luke 4:25 - Many Widows in Israel")), magnifies the unexpected and inclusive nature of God's grace. It points to God's compassion for the marginalized and His willingness to work outside the established religious and ethnic norms.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But unto none of them was Elias sent":** This clause emphasizes the exclusivity of God's sending of Elijah. Despite the presence of "many widows in Israel" during a severe famine, a context that would naturally suggest God's primary concern for His covenant people, Elijah was not dispatched to any of them. This sets up a stark contrast, challenging the audience's assumptions about divine favoritism towards Israel.
* **"save unto Sarepta, [a city] of Sidon":** This specifies the unexpected destination. Sarepta (Zarephath in the Old Testament) was not an Israelite city but a Phoenician town, part of the region of Sidon. This geographical detail explicitly places the recipient of God's miraculous intervention outside the traditional boundaries of Israel, underscoring the universal scope of God's activity and His freedom to choose whom He will bless.
* **"unto a woman [that was] a widow":** This identifies the specific individual chosen. The focus is not on her nationality (though implied by her location in Sidon) but on her vulnerable status as a widow. This highlights God's compassion for the needy and His willingness to extend care to those often overlooked by society, regardless of their ethnic or religious background.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 4:26 employs several significant literary devices. **Allusion** is central, as Jesus directly references the well-known Old Testament narrative of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath from [1 Kings 17](/1_kings/17 "1 Kings 17 - Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath"). This allusion serves to legitimize Jesus' argument by grounding it in revered scripture. The passage also utilizes **Contrast**, setting up the expectation that Elijah would minister to an Israelite widow against the reality that he was sent to a Gentile. This contrast highlights God's unexpected ways and challenges the audience's ethnocentric biases. Furthermore, there is profound **Irony** at play: Jesus, a prophet from Nazareth, is rejected by his own people, just as Elijah, a prophet of Israel, was sent by God to a Gentile rather than to his own suffering people. This parallel underscores the theme of a prophet being without honor in his own country. Finally, the passage serves as **Foreshadowing**, subtly pointing to the future expansion of the Gospel to the Gentiles, a major theme developed throughout Luke-Acts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 4:26 serves as a profound theological statement on God's sovereign freedom and the expansive nature of His grace. It shatters the notion of an exclusive, ethnically bound covenant, revealing that God's mercy and provision are not limited by human lineage or national identity. Jesus' use of this Old Testament example demonstrates that God has always operated outside the narrow confines of human expectation, choosing to bless whom He wills, often the marginalized and those considered "outsiders." This challenges any form of spiritual pride or religious exclusivity, reminding us that salvation is by God's choice and grace, not by human merit or birthright. It foreshadows the New Testament revelation that the Gospel is for all peoples, breaking down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile.

* [Romans 9:15](/romans/9-15 "Romans 9:15 - I Will Have Mercy on Whom I Have Mercy")
* [Acts 10:34-35](/acts/10-34-35 "Acts 10:34-35 - God Shows No Partiality")
* [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - There Is Neither Jew Nor Gentile")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Luke 4:26](/luke/4-26 "Luke 4:26 - Elijah and the Widow of Sarepta") is a powerful mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to examine our own biases and assumptions about who is "worthy" or "expected" to receive God's favor. Just as the people of Nazareth struggled with God's grace extending beyond their perceived boundaries, we too can fall into the trap of spiritual elitism or narrow-mindedness, consciously or unconsciously limiting God's work to those who look, think, or believe like us. This verse calls us to embrace a radically inclusive understanding of God's love and mission, recognizing that His Spirit moves in unexpected places and through unexpected people. It encourages humility, reminding us that God's ways are higher than our ways, and His grace is freely given to all who respond in faith, regardless of their background. It also serves as a call to actively participate in God's global mission, reaching out to those on the margins and beyond our comfort zones, just as Elijah was sent to a Gentile widow.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where might I be unconsciously limiting God's grace or work to certain groups or individuals?**
* **How does Jesus' use of this Old Testament example challenge my own assumptions about God's chosen people or methods?**
* **In what ways can I extend God's inclusive love to those who are different from me or outside my usual circles?**
* **What does this verse teach me about the nature of true faith, which transcends ethnic or social boundaries?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus choose the example of Elijah and the Sarepta widow to make his point?**

Answer: Jesus chose this example precisely because it was so provocative to his Jewish audience. Elijah was a revered prophet, and the story of the Sarepta widow from [1 Kings 17](/1_kings/17 "1 Kings 17 - Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath") was well-known. By highlighting that Elijah was sent to a Gentile widow while many Israelite widows suffered during the same famine, Jesus underscored God's sovereign freedom to extend grace beyond the expected boundaries of Israel. This served to justify his own rejection by his hometown, implying that just as God worked outside Israel in Elijah's day, He was now working through Jesus in ways that challenged their narrow, ethnocentric expectations. It was a direct challenge to their assumption that God's favor was exclusively for them.

**What was the significance of Sarepta being a city of Sidon?**

Answer: The geographical detail that Sarepta was "a city of Sidon" (also known as Zarephath in the Old Testament) is highly significant. Sidon was a major Phoenician city, distinctly Gentile and outside the traditional borders of Israel. By specifying this location, Jesus emphasized that God's miraculous provision through Elijah was directed to a non-Israelite, an "outsider." This detail would have been particularly jarring to Jesus' Nazareth audience, as it highlighted God's willingness to bless and intervene in the lives of Gentiles, even when many within Israel were in need. It foreshadowed the universal scope of the Gospel message that would later extend to all nations ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Witness to the Ends of the Earth")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Luke 4:26](/luke/4-26 "Luke 4:26 - Elijah and the Widow of Sarepta") recounts an Old Testament event involving Elijah, Jesus' very act of citing it in his Nazareth sermon points directly to His own person and mission as the ultimate fulfillment of God's universal plan. Jesus is the greater Prophet, whose ministry, like Elijah's, transcends ethnic and national boundaries. Just as Elijah was sent by God's sovereign choice to a Gentile widow, so too is Jesus' salvific work not confined to Israel but extends to all humanity. He is the one who ultimately breaks down the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile, making "both one" in Himself ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")). His parables, such as the [Parable of the Good Samaritan](/luke/10-25-37 "Luke 10:25-37 - The Parable of the Good Samaritan"), and His interactions with Gentiles, like the [Syrophoenician woman](/mark/7-24-30 "Mark 7:24-30 - Jesus and the Syrophoenician Woman"), continually demonstrate this expansive grace. The inclusion of Gentiles in the early church, as recorded throughout [the book of Acts](/acts/1 "Acts 1 - The Book of Acts"), is the direct unfolding of this principle first hinted at in the Old Testament and powerfully articulated by Jesus in Nazareth. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, not just a nation ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), and through Him, people from every tribe and nation will come to sit at the heavenly banquet ([Matthew 8:11-12](/matthew/8-11-12 "Matthew 8:11-12 - Gentiles Enter the Kingdom")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 17:9

Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which [belongeth] to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.

1 Kings 17:24

And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou [art] a man of God, [and] that the word of the LORD in thy mouth [is] truth.

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.

Obadiah 1:20

And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel [shall possess] that of the Canaanites, [even] unto Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which [is] in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south.