Luke 4:39 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.

NIV: So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.

NASB: And standing over her, He rebuked the fever, and it left her; and she immediately got up and served them.

CSB: So he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and began to serve them.

NLT: Standing at her bedside, he rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she got up at once and prepared a meal for them.

KJV: And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.

NKJV: So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them.

When Jesus was teaching, listeners noted the authority of His wisdom (Luke 4:22). They saw the same reflected in His verbal commands to a demon, who was compelled to obey (Luke 4:35–36). Here, Jesus has been asked to help Simon Peter's (Mark 3:16; John 1:42) mother-in-law (Luke 4:38). Once again, Jesus speaks with commanding power, and the result is instantaneous, complete healing. Matthew records this event, mentioning only that Jesus touched the woman (Matthew 8:14–15).

In the prior verse, Luke used Greek terminology implying this woman's fever was extreme. She is not suffering from a common cold; it's a serious illness. Another indicator of her suffering is that she was bedridden, unable even to extend hospitality to guests. In ancient culture, polite treatment of visitors was extremely important. The fact that the healed woman immediately begins serving guests is not surprising.

The instantaneous and complete nature of this healing also helps distinguish "real" miracles from sideshow tricks and cynical con artists. Jesus did not affect a minor change, or a gradual recovery. His words instantly changed the woman's health: from bedridden to active in a moment. When God chooses to speak through a true miracle, the message will be clear and obvious.

Luke 4:31–44 contains examples of Jesus healing as He teaches in Capernaum. These events include exorcising demons and curing diseases. Jesus' work is so popular that He finds it hard to be alone; the people demand He stay and continue. However, His mission includes other cities and towns. Jesus leaves to preach elsewhere, and the next passages record His calling of the disciples.

Jesus is taken into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. While fasting there, He is tempted by Satan. These temptations share an element of ignoring God in favor of what seems easier or quicker. Jesus resists all of these, citing Scripture as He does. When Jesus returns, He preaches and heals to great publicity in Judea and Galilee. While His hometown responds with stubborn skepticism, others are eager to hear His teaching and experience His miraculous power.

Chapter 3 explained how John the Baptist preached to prepare others to receive Jesus Christ. Luke then provided Jesus' earthly ancestry. Chapter 4 begins with Jesus in the wilderness being tempted by Satan. He returns to preach and perform healing miracles in Judea and Galilee. Chapter 5 shows Him calling disciples and demonstrating further proofs of His authority.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.