Luke 4:40When the sun was setting, all those who had any sick with various diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.
The setting
Sunset in Capernaum, Israel, ~30 AD. As Sabbath ends, crowds carry their sick through narrow streets to Peter's house. Jesus touches each person individually.
The emotion here: overwhelmed documenting Jesus' compassion that extended to every single person brought to Him
The original word
epitithēmi (ἐπετίθει) — to place hands upon with intention and care, not just casual touch
Why it matters
They waited until sunset because Sabbath prohibited carrying burdens during daylight hours
Read with care
What most readers miss in Luke 4:40
Jesus touched EVERY person individually - no mass healing, no shortcuts, personal attention for each one
Common misconceptionPeople think this proves God will heal everyone physically today, but Luke is showing Jesus' heart for suffering people - the healing methods may vary but the compassion remains constant.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Luke 4:40
Bible Genome reading
Luke 4:40 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Luke 4:40 comes from the book of Luke, written during the gospel period. These words are attributed to Luke. The dominant emotion in this verse is seeking, with a comfort power of 85% and a tone that is celebratory. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include mass healing, compassion. Notable phrases: when the sun was setting; laid his hands on every one; healed them.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same seeking
“Pray without ceasing.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:17
“But let justice roll on like rivers, and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
— Amos 5:24
“Be it far from you to do things like that, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be like the wicked. May that …”
— Genesis 18:25
“Call to me, and I will answer you, and will show you great things, and difficult, which you don't know.”
— Jeremiah 33:3
“Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evi…”
— Luke 11:4
Your reflection
What does Luke 4:40 mean to you, today?
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