After he left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her. 39 He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and waited on them.
40 At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and cured them. 41 And demons also came out from many, shouting, “You are the Son of God.” But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Messiah.
42 At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. 43 But he said to them, “To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.” 44 And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
Luke leads us from Simon’s home to the evening streets, and then to a quiet place at dawn. In Simon’s house, Jesus rebukes the fever of Simon’s mother-in-law (to “rebuke” is to give a firm, effective command; v. 39). The fever leaves her at once. She gets up and serves. This is full healing, not partial relief. Mercy received becomes love given. Jesus restores people and then sends them to live love (Lk. 7:36-50; Lk. 17:11-19; Mk. 5:19; Jn. 21:15-17).
At sunset—when sabbath travel limits end (Lev. 23:32; Gen. 1; Ex. 12:18; Neh. 13:19; Mk. 1:32)—people bring to Him all who are sick or troubled by demons (evil spirits opposed to God; vv. 40-41). Jesus lays His hands on each person, a simple human gesture of care, and heals them. He also silences demons who cry out that He is the “Son of God.” They speak truth without faith. Their words would twist His mission and its timing. Jesus decides how and when His identity is made known—through teaching, mercy, the cross, and the resurrection.
Luke shows Jesus silencing demons, yet Luke also makes Jesus’ identity and mission clear early (Lk. 4:35; 4:41; 5:14; 8:56; 9:21). He then controls when and how that identity is revealed to avoid misleading acclaim. Mark, however, shows a stronger pattern of secrecy—often called the “Messianic Secret”—with repeated commands to be silent (Mk. 1:34, 44; 3:12; 5:43; 7:36; 8:30).
At daybreak, Jesus goes to a deserted place to pray (v. 42). Prayer governs His steps. The crowd finds Him and wants Him to stay. He answers, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also; for this purpose I was sent” (v. 43). “Kingdom of God” means God acting as King over all creation—personally setting things right, forgiving sins, and restoring people (cf. Ps. 103:19; Dan. 4:34-35; Lk. 11:20). His healings are signs of that rule. His preaching explains it and calls for faith. So He continues “preaching in the synagogues” (v. 44; a synagogue is the local gathering place for Scripture and prayer).
Read together (v. 39; vv. 40-41; vv. 42-44), the three scenes form one picture. Jesus’ word has real authority over the body, as over unclean spirits. His power is tender and personal: He touches each sufferer. He silences evil because He alone sets the terms of His revelation. He prays before He acts. And He moves on because the Kingdom is for all. The signs serve the message. Compassion shown in Capernaum opens outward into a mission to every town.
For us today, the path is simple. Bring every need of body and spirit to Jesus. Ask boldly. When He heals, rise to serve as Simon’s mother-in-law did. When He does not remove a burden, keep following His word; His Kingdom is still at work, and His plan is good. Let His purpose lead us, not our demands hold Him. Receive mercy, serve, pray, and go.
Lord Jesus, You heal with compassion and preach with truth. Touch our wounds and fears. Set our hearts under Your Father’s rule. Teach us to begin each day in prayer, to serve when You restore us, and to go wherever You send us. May Your word lead our steps, and may Your Kingdom come in us and through us. Amen.
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Sources and References
- The Holy Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition (2011): Lk. 4:38-44; cf. Lk. 4:16-37; 7:36-50; 11:20; 17:11-19; Mk. 1:32; 1:34, 44; 3:12; 5:19, 43; 7:36; 8:30; Jn. 21:15-17; Gen. 1; Ex. 12:18; Lev. 23:32; Neh. 13:19; Jer. 17:21-22; Acts 1:12; Ps. 103:19; Dan. 4:34-35.
- A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture, ed. B. Orchard et al. (1953), “Luke.”
- The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition (2008), “Luke.”
- The Paulist Biblical Commentary, ed. J. E. Aguilar Chiu et al. (2018), “Luke.”
- The New Jerome Biblical Commentary, ed. R. E. Brown, J. A. Fitzmyer, and R. E. Murphy (1990), “Luke” (J. A. Fitzmyer).
- St. Ambrose (d. 397), Exposition of the Gospel of Luke.
- St. Cyril of Alexandria (d. 444), Commentary on Luke.
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