Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 4:27

"And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian." — Luke 4:27 (ASV)

Jesus does not state here that the prophets Elijah (v.26) and Elisha (v.27) went to Gentiles because they were rejected by the Jews; rather, they went because they were sent there by God. Jesus’ audience, however, is becoming more and more enraged as they realize that they will receive no special favors from him and that he considers himself above home ties and tradition.