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.

And {G2532} his {G846} fame {G189} went {G565} throughout {G1519} all {G3650} Syria {G4947}: and {G2532} they brought {G4374} unto him {G846} all {G3956} sick {G2560} people {G2192} that were taken with {G4912} divers {G4164} diseases {G3554} and {G2532} torments {G931}, and {G2532} those which were possessed with devils {G1139}, and {G2532} those which were lunatick {G4583}, and {G2532} those that had the palsy {G3885}; and {G2532} he healed {G2323} them {G846}.

Word of him spread throughout all Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill, suffering from various diseases and pains, and those held in the power of demons, and epileptics and paralytics; and he healed them.

News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering acute pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed—and He healed them.

And the report of him went forth into all Syria: and they brought unto him all that were sick, holden with divers diseases and torments, possessed with demons, and epileptic, and palsied; and he healed them.

Matthew 4:24 (KJV) describes the dramatic and immediate impact of Jesus' early ministry, highlighting His widespread fame and miraculous healing power. As His reputation grew, people from far and wide sought Him out for deliverance from various afflictions.

Context

This verse follows directly from Matthew 4:23, which introduces Jesus' ministry of teaching in synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and disease among the people. Matthew 4:24 then illustrates the profound effect of this ministry: His fame, or "report," spread throughout "all Syria." This refers to the Roman province of Syria, a much larger region extending north and east of Galilee, indicating that Jesus' influence was not confined to local Jewish communities but reached a wider, diverse population. Multitudes began to follow Him, bringing their sick and afflicted for healing.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Divine Authority and Power: The verse emphatically demonstrates Jesus' absolute authority over all forms of human suffering – physical illness, mental distress, and demonic oppression. The phrase "he healed them" underscores His complete and effective power to restore health and wholeness. This power is a core aspect of His identity as the Messiah.
  • Widespread Impact of His Ministry: The mention of "all Syria" and "all sick people" highlights the extensive reach of Jesus' fame and the broad appeal of His healing ministry. People were desperate for relief, and Jesus was the answer they sought. This prefigures the universal scope of the Gospel message.
  • Compassion of Christ: Though not explicitly stated in this verse, the act of healing such a diverse array of sufferers points to Jesus' profound compassion for humanity's brokenness. He did not turn anyone away but met their needs with divine grace. His willingness to engage with the suffering reflects a central characteristic of His ministry, as seen in passages like Matthew 9:36.

Linguistic Insights

  • "divers diseases and torments": The Greek phrase refers to a wide variety of illnesses and severe pains, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the suffering that people endured and from which Jesus brought relief.
  • "possessed with devils": This indicates individuals afflicted by demonic spirits, a phenomenon frequently mentioned in the Gospels. Jesus' ability to cast out demons was a clear sign of His divine power and His victory over the forces of evil, as also demonstrated in Matthew 8:28-34.
  • "lunatick": The Greek word is seleniazomai, literally meaning "moonstruck." In ancient times, this term was often associated with conditions like epilepsy or certain forms of mental illness, which were sometimes believed to be influenced by lunar cycles. Jesus' healing of these individuals shows His power over conditions that were mysterious and often terrifying to people of that era.
  • "palsy": From the Greek paralytikos, referring to paralysis or severe muscular weakness, making movement difficult or impossible. This was a common and debilitating condition that Jesus frequently healed.

Practical Application

Matthew 4:24 remains a powerful testament to Jesus' ongoing power and compassion. For believers, it affirms that Jesus is capable of addressing every form of human brokenness—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. It encourages us to bring our "diseases and torments" to Him, trusting in His ability to heal and restore. This verse also serves as a reminder that the fame of Christ should spread through the transformative impact He has on lives, drawing others to seek Him and experience His restorative grace.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 17:15

    Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

  • Matthew 8:6

    And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

  • Matthew 15:22

    And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, [thou] Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

  • Luke 5:15

    But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.

  • Matthew 12:22

    ¶ Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.

  • Matthew 17:18

    And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

  • Luke 2:2

    ([And] this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

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