Knowing The Word in Luke 4:38-41, Jesus Heals Many

When Jesus rebukes Simon’s mother-in-law’s fever, it makes us wonder if Jesus sees Satan behind her condition. But the point we really need to understand is that she was completely healed instantly and resumed her duties. She did not need to recover from having been sick. More people come at the end of the day, after sunset, because the Sabbath is now over and they are permitted to carry people to Jesus. By laying hands on people, Jesus is introducing a new practice not found in the Old Testament. By rebuking the demons who come out of people not to speak, Jesus wants to forestall a movement supporting Jesus as the Messiah whose main objective is to kick the Romans out of Israel. Rather, he wants to keep teaching about his coming crucifixion for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus also wanted people to come to him because of his words and deeds, not because of demonic testimony.

38 And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. 39 And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.

40 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. 41 And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.

Prayer: O Lord Jesus Christ, who went about doing good and healing all manner of sickness: give strength, wisdom, and gentleness to all thy ministering servants, our physicians, surgeons, and nurses; that always bearing thy presence with them, they may not only heal but bless, and shine as lamps of hope in the darkest hours of distress and fear; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God world without end. Church Missionary Society