Luke 4:23-27 23And he said to them, “Doubtless you will say to me this parable, ‘“Physician, heal yourself.” What we have heard you did at Capernaum, also do here in your hometown.’” 24But he said, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. 25But with truth, I say to you you, there were many widows in the days of Elijah in Israel, when heaven was shut up three years and six months since there was a great famine over all the land, 26and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath of Sidon, to a widow woman. 27And there were many lepers in Israel during the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”
Jesus pre-empts the criticism of the synagogue crowd by quoting a common parable (). The Greek word here can mean many things, from a larger story to just a short phrase, like what is found here. The basic idea is found later in the form of ridicule when Jesus was on the cross in 23:35. Jesus knew what the people were thinking and perceived doubt in their statement in verse 22. They had already heard stories of Jesus healing in other parts of Galilee, particularly in Capernaum, and wanted to see something now. Luke does not mention Jesus going that far north yet but simply the statement in verse 14 that Jesus went throughout the region. Luke’s concern appears to be to show the opposition Jesus faced from Jews who should have known better. The people of Nazareth become symbolic of other Jews throughout Jesus’ ministry who wanted proof of his messiahship even though the proof was all around them. Such people would not believe even if he rose from the dead. The short parabolic statement fits the situation because although Jesus was in his hometown (the physician), he would not do a miracle there (heal yourself).
Jesus next gives another short proverb in verse 24 followed by several examples to explain the implications of the first proverbial statement. The application of the statement is clear: Jesus is the prophet, and Nazareth is the hometown. The people of the town would not accept Jesus or his words because they failed to believe in him, and thus, he would not do any miracles there. Faith in him is the prerequisite to experiencing miracles.
Jesus drives home the truth of the statement with two illustrations. The first about Elijah and the widow of Zarephath found in 1 Kings 17 shows how one of the greatest prophets and miracle workers in Israel’s history did not do any miracles during the famine except for one of the lowest in the society, a poor widow with no food to share. This poor widow woman acted in simple faith and truth and baked bread for Elijah with the little flour and oil she had. She was rewarded by the miracle of her flour and oil never running out during the famine. One of the greatest miracles of the Old Testament was done for a lady who had nothing but faith.
The second illustration comes from 2 Kings 5 when Elisha gave Naaman simple directions for how he could be healed from his leprosy. Leprosy was a common skin disease among people of that time and area, but none were healed except Naaman. By adding the place where Naaman came from, Syria, Jesus highlights that even outsiders believed and experienced healing. God’s healing was not just for Israel but for Gentiles. Both Elijah and Elisha did miracles for those on the fringe or outside of society. Nazareth was right in the middle of Israel, about as Jewish as one might get. Yet, even in this typical Jewish village where the people should have known and rejoiced in Jesus’ coming, the people would not accept him or his message, and therefore, they would not experience his miracles. People today have heard of Jesus, read about him, seen movies about him, but yet, they refuse to accept him as Messiah and Savior. Their doubts will keep them from experiencing the good news he offers to all people.
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