Luke 4:26
New International Version
Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon.

New Living Translation
Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a foreigner—a widow of Zarephath in the land of Sidon.

English Standard Version
and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.

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

Berean Literal Bible
and Elijah was sent to none of them, except to Zarephath of Sidon, to a woman, a widow.

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

New King James Version
but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.

New American Standard Bible
and yet Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.

NASB 1995
and yet Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.

NASB 1977
and yet Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.

Legacy Standard Bible
and yet Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.

Amplified Bible
and yet Elijah was not sent [by the Lord] to a single one of them, but only to Zarephath in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.

Christian Standard Bible
Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them except a widow at Zarephath in Sidon.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them—but to a widow at 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.

Contemporary English Version
but Elijah was sent only to a widow in the town of Zarephath near the city of Sidon.

English Revised 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But God didn't send Elijah to anyone except a widow at Zarephath in the territory of Sidon.

Good News Translation
Yet Elijah was not sent to anyone in Israel, but only to a widow living in Zarephath in the territory of Sidon.

International Standard Version
Yet Elijah wasn't sent to a single one of those widows except to one at Zarephath in Sidon.

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

NET Bible
Yet Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to a woman who was a widow at Zarephath in Sidon.

New Heart English Bible
Elijah was sent to none of them, except to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.

Webster's Bible Translation
But to none of them was Elijah sent, save to Sarepta, a city of Sidon, to a woman that was a widow.

Weymouth New Testament
and yet to not one of them was Elijah sent: he was only sent to a widow at Zarephath in the Sidonian country.

World English Bible
Elijah was sent to none of them, except to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and to none of them was Elijah sent, but—to Sarepta of Sidon, to a woman, a widow;

Berean Literal Bible
and Elijah was sent to none of them, except to Zarephath of Sidon, to a woman, a widow.

Young's Literal Translation
and unto none of them was Elijah sent, but -- to Sarepta of Sidon, unto a woman, a widow;

Smith's Literal Translation
And to none of them was Elias sent, except to Sarepta, of Sidon, to a widow woman.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And to none of them was Elias sent, but to Sarepta of Sidon, to a widow woman.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And to none of these was Elijah sent, except to Zarephath of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.

New American Bible
It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon.

New Revised Standard Version
yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Yet Elijah was not sent to one of them, but to Zarephath of Sidon, to a widow.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And Elijah was not sent to one of them except to Tsarepta of Tsidon unto a widow woman.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
and to no one of them was Elijah sent, but to Sarepta, a city of Sidon, to a woman that was a widow.

Godbey New Testament
and Elijah was sent to none of them, except to a widow woman in Sarepta of Sidon.

Haweis New Testament
And unto none of them was Elias sent, but unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, to a widow woman.

Mace New Testament
yet to none of them was Elias sent, except to one widow in Sarepta, a city of Sidon.

Weymouth New Testament
and yet to not one of them was Elijah sent: he was only sent to a widow at Zarephath in the Sidonian country.

Worrell New Testament
and to no one of them was Elijah sent, except to Zarephath in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.

Worsley New Testament
but Elias was sent to none of those widows, but to a widow-woman at Sarepta in the territory of Sidon.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Rejection at Nazareth
25But I tell you truthfully that there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and great famine swept over all the land. 26Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to the widow of Zarephath in Sidon. 27And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet. Yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.”…

Cross References
1 Kings 17:8-16
Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: / “Get up and go to Zarephath of Sidon, and stay there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” / So Elijah got up and went to Zarephath. When he arrived at the city gate, there was a widow gathering sticks. Elijah called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, so that I may drink.” ...

1 Kings 17:9
“Get up and go to Zarephath of Sidon, and stay there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.”

1 Kings 18:1
After a long time, in the third year of the drought, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: “Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the face of the earth.”

1 Kings 18:45
Meanwhile, the sky grew dark with clouds and wind, and a heavy rain began to fall. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel.

1 Kings 19:10
“I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”

2 Kings 4:1-7
Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!” / “How can I help you?” asked Elisha. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?” She answered, “Your servant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” / “Go,” said Elisha, “borrow empty jars from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few. ...

2 Kings 5:1-14
Now Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man in his master’s sight and highly regarded, for through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. And he was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. / At this time the Arameans had gone out in bands and had taken a young girl from the land of Israel, and she was serving Naaman’s wife. / She said to her mistress, “If only my master would go to the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his leprosy.” ...

Matthew 11:21-22
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. / But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.

Matthew 15:21-28
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. / And a Canaanite woman from that region came to Him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is miserably possessed by a demon.” / But Jesus did not answer a word. So His disciples came and urged Him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” ...

Mark 7:24-30
Jesus left that place and went to the region of Tyre. Not wanting anyone to know He was there, He entered a house, but was unable to escape their notice. / Instead, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit soon heard about Jesus, and she came and fell at His feet. / Now she was a Greek woman of Syrophoenician origin, and she kept asking Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. ...

John 4:46-54
So once again He came to Cana in Galilee, where He had turned the water into wine. And there was a royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. / When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Him to come down and heal his son, who was about to die. / Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe.” ...

Romans 11:2-4
God did not reject His people, whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel: / “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well”? / And what was the divine reply to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”

James 5:17-18
Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. / Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth yielded its crops.

Hebrews 11:35
Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused their release, so that they might gain a better resurrection.

Acts 10:34-35
Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, / but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.


Treasury of Scripture

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

save.

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.

Zarephath.

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.

Sarepta.

Jump to Previous
City Elias Elijah Eli'jah Except Famine Israel Months Rain Region Save Severe Sidon Six Three Time Truth Widow Zarephath Zar'ephath
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City Elias Elijah Eli'jah Except Famine Israel Months Rain Region Save Severe Sidon Six Three Time Truth Widow Zarephath Zar'ephath
Luke 4
1. The fasting and temptation of Jesus.
14. He begins to preach.
16. The people of Nazareth marvel at words, but seek to kill him.
33. He cures one possessed of a demon,
38. Peter's mother-in-law,
40. and various other sick persons.
41. The demons acknowledge Jesus, and are reproved for it.
42. He preaches through the cities of Galilee.














Yet Elijah
The mention of "Elijah" here is significant as he is one of the most revered prophets in the Old Testament. His name in Hebrew, אֵלִיָּהוּ (Eliyahu), means "My God is Yahweh," which underscores his role as a staunch defender of the worship of Yahweh against the encroaching idolatry of Baal. Elijah's ministry was marked by miraculous events and a call to repentance, making him a fitting figure for Jesus to reference in His teaching. Elijah's life and works are recorded in 1 Kings, where he is depicted as a man of great faith and power, yet also of deep humanity and vulnerability.

was not sent
The phrase "was not sent" indicates divine direction and purpose. In the biblical context, prophets were often sent by God to deliver messages, perform miracles, or enact judgment. The Greek word used here, ἀποστέλλω (apostellō), means "to send out" or "to commission." This implies that Elijah's mission was not random but divinely orchestrated. It highlights the sovereignty of God in choosing whom He sends His messengers to, often defying human expectations or societal norms.

to any of them
"Any of them" refers to the people of Israel during a time of great need, specifically during a severe famine. This phrase underscores the exclusivity of God's choice in sending Elijah to a non-Israelite, which would have been a provocative point for Jesus' audience. It challenges the assumption that God's favor is limited to a particular ethnic or religious group, emphasizing instead His universal concern and grace.

but to the widow
The "widow" represents the marginalized and vulnerable in society. In ancient times, widows were often without means of support and were considered among the most destitute. The Greek word for widow, χήρα (chēra), conveys a sense of loss and dependency. By sending Elijah to a widow, God demonstrates His compassion and care for those who are often overlooked or oppressed. This choice serves as a powerful reminder of God's heart for justice and mercy.

of Zarephath
Zarephath was a town located in the region of Sidon, outside the borders of Israel. The mention of Zarephath is significant because it was a Gentile area, which would have been surprising to Jesus' Jewish audience. The town's name, צרפת (Tsarephath), means "smelting place," possibly indicating its role in metalworking or refining. This setting serves as a metaphor for the refining work God does in the lives of those He chooses, regardless of their background or status.

in Sidon
Sidon was a prominent Phoenician city known for its wealth and commerce. It was also associated with pagan worship, particularly of the goddess Astarte. The reference to Sidon highlights the radical nature of God's grace, extending beyond the boundaries of Israel to a place known for its idolatry. This foreshadows the inclusive nature of the Gospel, which breaks down barriers and reaches all people, regardless of their cultural or religious background.

(26) Save unto Sarepta.--Better, but unto Sarepta, the Greek conjunction here marking a contrast rather than an exception. Sarepta, the Zarephath of 1Kings 17:9, was a Phoenician city lying between Tyre and Sidon. The reference to this incident at the commencement of our Lord's ministry is a striking instance of His method of reading the underlying lessons of the narratives of the Old Testament, such as we see afterwards in His reference to David eating the shewbread. (See Notes on Matthew 12:3-4.) In what seemed a mere episode in the life of Elijah He finds a truth which implies the future calling of the Gentiles. When He complied with the prayer of the Syro-Ph?nician woman, He was doing as Elijah had done.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Yet
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

Elijah
Ἠλίας (Ēlias)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2243: Elijah, the prophet. Of Hebrew origin; Helias, an Israelite.

was [not] sent
ἐπέμφθη (epemphthē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3992: To send, transmit, permit to go, put forth.

to
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

[any]
οὐδεμίαν (oudemian)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3762: No one, none, nothing.

of them,
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

but
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

to
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

[the] widow
χήραν (chēran)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5503: Feminine of a presumed derivative apparently from the base of chasma through the idea of deficiency; a widow, literally or figuratively.

of Zarephath
Σάρεπτα (Sarepta)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4558: Zarephath, a town in the district of Sidon in Phoenicia. Of Hebrew origin; Sarepta, a place in Palestine.

in Sidon.
Σιδωνίας (Sidōnias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4606: Sidonian, inhabitant of Sidon. From Sidon; a Sidonian, i.e. Inhabitant of Sidon.


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