• Luke 4:25
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 25 ἐπ’ Upon ἀληθείας truth δὲ but λέγω I am saying ὑμῖν, to YOU, πολλαὶ many χῆραι widows ἦσαν were ἐν in ταῖς the ἡμέραις days Ἠλείου of Elijah ἐν in τῷ the Ἰσραήλ, Israel, ὅτε when ἐκλείσθη was shut up ὁ the οὐρανὸς heaven ἔτη years τρία three καὶ and μῆνας months ἕξ, six, ὡς as ἐγένετο occurred λιμὸς famine μέγας great ἐπὶ upon πᾶσαν all τὴν the γῆν, earth,

  • Luke 4:25
    The Bible in Living English

    • 25 But I tell you, to a certainty there were many widows in Elijah’s days in Israel, at the time that the sky was shut up three years and six months, when there came a great famine all over the land;

  • Luke 4:25
    American Standard Version

    • 25 But of a truth I say unto you, There were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there came a great famine over all the land;

  • Luke 4:25
    The Emphasized Bible

    • 25 And of a truth I say unto you—Many widows were in the days of Elijah in Israel When the heaven was shut up three years and six months, When there came a great famine upon all the land;

  • Luke 4:25
    King James Version

    • 25 But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;

  • Luke Study Notes—Chapter 4
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 4:25

      for three years and six months: According to 1Ki 18:1, Elijah announced the end of the drought “in the third year.” Some have therefore claimed that Jesus contradicts the account in 1 Kings. However, the Hebrew Scripture account does not suggest that the drought lasted less than three years. The phrase “in the third year” evidently applies to the period that began when Elijah first announced the drought to Ahab. (1Ki 17:1) That announcement likely took place when the dry season​—which typically lasts for up to six months but which may have lasted longer than usual​—was already in progress. Further, the drought did not end immediately when Elijah again appeared before Ahab, “in the third year,” but only after the subsequent fire test on Mount Carmel. (1Ki 18:18-45) Hence, Jesus’ words recorded here, as well as the similar words of Christ’s half brother, recorded at Jas 5:17, harmonize well with the chronology suggested at 1Ki 18:1.