Albert Barnes Commentary Luke 4:25

"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 (ASV)

Of a truth. Truly, and therefore worthy of your belief. He calls attention to two cases where acknowledged prophets had so little honor in their own nation that they bestowed their favors on foreigners. So, he says, such is the lack of faith in my own country, that I will work no miracles here, but will give the evidence of my divine mission to others.

In Israel. In the land of Israel, or Judea. It was therefore the more remarkable, since there were so many in his own country whom he might have helped, that the prophet should have gone to a heathen city and aided a poor widow there.

The days of Elias. The days of Elijah. See the account of this in 1 Kings 17:8–24.

Three years and six months. From 1 Kings 18:1, 45, it would seem that the rain fell on the third year—that is, at the end of the third year after the rain had ceased to fall at the usual time. There were two seasons of the year when rains fell in Judea—in October and April, called the early and latter rain; consequently, there was an interval between them of six months. To the three years, therefore, when rain was withheld at the usual times, are to be added the previous six months, when no rain fell as a matter of course, and consequently three years and six months elapsed without rain.

A great famine. A great lack of food, from prolonged and distressing drought.