Daily Word: Luke 4:38-44 – He Healed Them All | Wednesday, Sept 2

Luke 4:38-44 (Wednesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time)

"At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and healed them." (Luke 4:40)

Jesus has just left the synagogue in Capernaum, where He amazed the crowd with His authoritative teaching and delivered a man from an unclean spirit. Now He enters the house of Simon Peter. The news of His power has already spread. Simon's mother-in-law is afflicted with a severe fever. They ask Jesus to help her. He bends over her, rebukes the fever, and it leaves her. She rises immediately and begins to serve them.

At sunset, when the Sabbath ends and people can travel again, the whole town gathers at the door. They bring the sick—the diseased, the suffering, the afflicted—and Jesus lays His hands on each one and heals them. Demons also come out, crying out, "You are the Son of God!" But Jesus rebukes them and does not allow them to speak, "because they knew that he was the Messiah."

The next morning, Jesus goes to a deserted place to pray. The crowds search for Him and try to keep Him from leaving. But He tells them: "I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because for this purpose I have been sent."

The Healer's Touch: Therapeuō and Epitimaō (v. 38-39)

The Greek word for "healed" is therapeuō — to serve, to care for, to heal. It is the root of our English word "therapy." It is not a cold, clinical act; it is an act of loving service. Jesus heals with compassion, not with detachment.

When Jesus heals Simon's mother-in-law, He "rebuked" the fever. The Greek word is epitimaō — to command, to silence, to rebuke. It is the same word used when Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit in the synagogue (Luke 4:35). The fever is treated as an enemy, an intruder, a force of evil that must be expelled. Jesus does not negotiate with the fever; He commands it to leave. And it obeys.

The woman's response is immediate: "She got up and waited on them." The Greek word for "waited on" is diakoneō — to serve, to minister. It is the root of the word deacon. She does not simply recover; she responds to healing with service. Her healing is not just for her own benefit; it is for the service of others.

The Healing of All: Hekastos and Epididōmi (v. 40)

At sunset, the people bring all their sick to Jesus. The Greek word for "each" is hekastos — every single one, individually. Jesus does not heal them as a group; He lays His hands on each one personally. There is no mass healing; there is a personal encounter with each suffering soul.

The Greek verb for "laid his hands" is epitithēmi — to place upon, to lay on. It is a deliberate, personal act. Jesus touches each one. He is not a distant healer; He is a present healer. He enters into their suffering and brings His healing power.

The Silence of the Demons: Ephistēmi and Akoloutheō (v. 41)

The demons come out, crying out: "You are the Son of God!" Their confession is true, but Jesus silences them. Why? Because He does not want their testimony. The demons speak the truth, but they are not witnesses to the truth. Their knowledge is not faith; it is fear.

The Greek word for "rebuked" is again epitimaō — the same verb used against the fever and the unclean spirit. Jesus commands the demons to silence. He does not need their testimony. He is the Truth, and the Truth does not require the testimony of false witnesses.

The Mission to Proclaim: Dei and Euangelizō (v. 42-44)

The crowds search for Jesus and try to keep Him from leaving. But He tells them: "I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because for this purpose I have been sent."

The Greek word for "must" is dei — necessity, divine obligation. Jesus' mission is not limited to Capernaum. He is not a local healer; He is the universal Savior. He must proclaim the euangelion (the good news) to all the towns of Israel.

The word for "proclaim" is euangelizō — to announce good news. It is the verb form of the noun euangelion (Gospel). Jesus' mission is not just healing; it is proclamation. He heals as a sign of the Kingdom, but He preaches as the substance of the Kingdom.

The Connection: Healing and Mission

The passage reveals the two dimensions of Jesus' ministry:

1. Healing — the restoration of the body, the defeat of disease and demonic power.

2. Proclamation — the announcement of the Kingdom, the invitation to enter into the reign of God.

The healing is a sign that points to the proclamation. The Kingdom is not just about physical restoration; it is about spiritual transformation. Jesus heals the body, but He also heals the soul. He frees from demons, but He also frees from sin.

What This Means for Your Wednesday

Today, reflect on the two dimensions of Jesus' mission — and your own.

• Are you bringing your sickness to Jesus? Not just physical illness, but the sickness of sin, fear, anxiety, addiction, and brokenness? He is the Healer. He lays His hands on each one. He does not dismiss your suffering; He enters into it.

• Are you serving in response to healing? Simon's mother-in-law responded to healing with service. Have you responded to God's grace with gratitude and generosity? Have you used your healing to serve others?

• Are you participating in the mission? Jesus was sent to proclaim the Kingdom. He sends you to do the same. Not just to heal, but to proclaim. Not just to serve, but to announce the good news.

A Short Prayer

Lord Jesus, You are the Healer of body and soul. I bring to You my sickness—physical, emotional, and spiritual. Lay Your hands on me and heal me. Let me rise from my infirmity and serve You with joy. Send me to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom to those who have not heard. I am Yours. Heal me. Send me. Amen.

Connect

Join our community for uplifting worship content

Contact

Subscribe

apocrifo1815@gmail.com

© 2026. All rights reserved.

About Us |Privacy Policy |Contact |
Terms and Conditions | Refund Policy