The Prophet Elisha (17th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

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The prophet Elisha figures prominently in the first half of the book of 2 Kings (chs. 2-13). He was chosen by Elijah to succeed him as prophet to the northern kingdom of Israel, before the latter was assumed into heaven (2 Kings 2:1-8). Although his prophetic ministry spanned the reigns of several kings of Israel from Ahab to Jehoash, he was always in the shadow of his former master, and never achieved the same level of fame. Whereas Elijah is mentioned 29 times in the New Testament, Elisha is only mentioned in passing once (Luke 4:27).

Yet, despite the relatively few mentions of him, he does play an important role in salvation history. The “Elisha Cycle,” as it is often called, is a collection of numerous miracle stories performed by the prophet. Notably, several of these miracles foreshadow the miracles performed by Jesus. His raising of the Shunammite woman’s son (2 Kings 4:18-37) echoes the raising of both Jairus’ daughter and the son of the widow of Nain. Likewise, the curing of Naaman’s leprosy (2 Kings 5) echoes the many stories of Jesus healing lepers, especially the Samaritan who, like Naaman, was considered outside of the covenant people of God (Luke 17:11-19). Most significantly for our purposes, the story in the second reading echoes Jesus’ multiplication of the loaves and fish in our Gospel reading (John 6:1-15). Even the disciples' question in John 6:9 ironically echoes Elisha's servant's question in 2 Kings 4:43.

These parallels indicate to us that Elisha was a type of Christ. His ministry and miracles are meant to foreshadow the even greater miracles that would take place during Jesus’ ministry. This serves to prepare the Jewish people to recognize and receive their Messiah, both by furnishing proof of His Messiahship, as well as forming their minds so that they know what to expect.

J. Luis Dizon