Luke 8:49

KJV

While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's [house], saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.

KJV (with Strong's)

While he {G846} yet {G2089} spake {G2980}, there cometh {G2064} one {G5100} from {G3844} the ruler of the synagogue's {G752} house, saying {G3004} to him {G846},{G3754} Thy {G4675} daughter {G2364} is dead {G2348}; trouble {G4660} not {G3361} the Master {G1320}.

Complete Jewish Bible

While Yeshua was still speaking, a man came from the synagogue president's house. "Your daughter has died," he said. "Don't bother the rabbi any more."

Berean Standard Bible

While He was still speaking, someone arrived from the house of the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he told Jairus. “Do not bother the Teacher anymore.”

American Standard Version

While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Teacher.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 8:49 captures a moment of profound dramatic tension, as a messenger arrives to deliver the devastating news that Jairus's daughter has died, seemingly rendering Jesus's journey to her house futile. This verse marks the nadir of human hope, presenting an insurmountable obstacle from a worldly perspective, and sets the stage for Jesus to demonstrate His ultimate authority over life and death, challenging the prevailing understanding of finality.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a crucial narrative pivot within the larger account of Jesus's journey to Jairus's house. Immediately preceding it, Jesus has been delayed by the healing of a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years, an event detailed in [Luke 8:43-48](/luke/8-43-48 "Luke 8:43-48 - Healing of the Woman with a Hemorrhage"). This unexpected interruption, though a powerful demonstration of Jesus's compassionate healing, created a critical delay. Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, had [earlier pleaded with Jesus](/luke/8-41 "Luke 8:41 - Jairus's Plea") to come to his house because his only daughter was dying. The arrival of the messenger in [Luke 8:49](/luke/8-49 "Luke 8:49 - News of Jairus's Daughter's Death") delivers the crushing news that the delay was fatal, seemingly sealing the daughter's fate and making Jesus's continued journey pointless in human eyes. This moment of despair directly precedes Jesus's powerful declaration in [Luke 8:50](/luke/8-50 "Luke 8:50 - Jesus's Response to Jairus") that Jairus should "only believe."
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, death, especially of a child, was viewed with profound grief and a sense of irreversible finality. While belief in a future resurrection existed, immediate physical restoration from death was virtually unheard of. Once a person died, the body was prepared for burial quickly, often within hours, due to the climate and cultural practices. The presence of professional mourners (as seen later in [Luke 8:52](/luke/8-52 "Luke 8:52 - Mourners at Jairus's House")) underscores the immediate and public recognition of death. For a synagogue ruler like Jairus, a man of standing and religious authority, the death of his daughter would have been a deeply personal tragedy, but also one that carried social implications regarding the perceived limits of divine intervention. The messenger's advice, "trouble not the Master," reflects the common human understanding that death was beyond any teacher's or healer's power.
* **Key Themes:** [Luke 8:49](/luke/8-49 "Luke 8:49 - News of Jairus's Daughter's Death") contributes significantly to several key themes in Luke's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights the **finality of death from a human perspective**, contrasting sharply with Jesus's divine authority over life. The messenger's words encapsulate the world's despair when faced with death, setting the stage for Jesus to demonstrate His unique power. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **faith in the face of impossible circumstances**. Jairus's initial plea was for a dying child; now, he is confronted with a dead one. This moment tests the boundaries of his faith, moving from a request for healing to a need for resurrection, aligning with Jesus's later teaching on the power of belief in [Luke 8:50](/luke/8-50 "Luke 8:50 - Jesus's Encouragement to Believe"). Finally, the verse subtly emphasizes **Jesus's supreme authority**, even as the messenger attempts to limit it. The messenger's advice, intended to spare Jesus "trouble," ironically serves to highlight the very realm where Jesus's power is uniquely manifested, preparing the reader for a miraculous display of divine power over death itself, a power that transcends the capabilities of any mere "Master" or teacher.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **cometh (Greek, _érchomai'_):** This verb (G2064) signifies movement, "to come or go" in a variety of applications. Here, it denotes the arrival of the messenger. The immediacy of "there cometh one" emphasizes the sudden and impactful nature of the news, interrupting Jesus's ongoing discourse and the journey. The word itself is neutral, but its context here carries immense dramatic weight, signaling a turning point in the narrative.
* **dead (Greek, _thnḗskō'_):** This verb (G2348) means "to die" or "to be dead." It is a strengthened form of a simpler primary verb, conveying the absolute and irreversible state of death. In the messenger's declaration, "Thy daughter is dead," it communicates the perceived finality of the situation, leaving no room for human hope or intervention. This word stands in stark contrast to Jesus's impending action, highlighting the magnitude of His miracle.
* **Master (Greek, _didáskalos'_):** This noun (G1320) means "an instructor," "teacher," or "doctor." While a respectful title, the messenger's use of "Master" implies an understanding of Jesus as a wise and powerful teacher, but not necessarily as someone with authority over death. The advice "trouble not the Master" suggests that the task of raising the dead is far beyond the capabilities of even a great teacher, reflecting the prevailing human worldview and underestimating Jesus's divine power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"While he yet spake":** This clause places the arrival of the messenger in direct temporal relation to Jesus's ongoing interaction with the crowd, specifically after the healing of the woman with the issue of blood and His discourse about faith. It highlights the sudden and disruptive nature of the news, interrupting a moment of teaching and healing.
* **"there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house":** This describes the source of the devastating news. The messenger is from Jairus's own household, implying direct, immediate knowledge of the daughter's condition. The specific mention of "the ruler of the synagogue's house" underscores the public nature of Jairus's position and the prominence of the family involved.
* **"saying to him, Thy daughter is dead;":** This is the core of the message – a blunt, unequivocal declaration of death. The direct address to Jesus ("to him") and the possessive "Thy daughter" (referring to Jairus's daughter, but spoken to Jesus in Jairus's presence) convey the finality of the situation from the human perspective. This statement is intended to convey that all hope is lost.
* **"trouble not the Master.":** This is the messenger's advice, born of a worldview that sees death as an absolute end. The phrase "trouble not" (Greek _skýllō_, to harass or bother) suggests that continuing the journey or seeking further intervention would be pointless and burdensome for Jesus, as the situation is beyond remedy. This counsel, though well-intentioned from a human standpoint, inadvertently sets up the profound contrast with Jesus's divine power.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 8:49 is rich with **Dramatic Interruption**, as the arrival of the messenger abruptly halts Jesus's conversation and journey, shifting the narrative focus to a moment of crisis. This interruption heightens the tension that has been building since Jairus's initial plea. The verse also employs **Irony**: the messenger's advice, "trouble not the Master," is ironically the very reason Jesus is needed. The messenger's words, intended to limit Jesus's involvement, instead serve to highlight the boundless nature of His authority, preparing the reader for a demonstration of power that transcends human limitations. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Contrast** between human despair and divine hope. The messenger's declaration of death represents the ultimate human limitation, setting the stage for Jesus to reveal His power as the Lord of life, turning a moment of perceived finality into an opportunity for miraculous intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 8:49 serves as a theological hinge, powerfully illustrating the human perception of death as an absolute end, which is then immediately challenged by Jesus's divine authority. The messenger's words, "Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master," reflect a common understanding that once life departs, there is no return. This worldview, however, stands in stark contrast to the redemptive power of God, who alone has dominion over life and death. Theologically, this moment highlights the necessity of faith that transcends human limitations and circumstances, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It underscores that God's power is most profoundly revealed not in the absence of problems, but in His ability to intervene in situations deemed hopeless by human standards, demonstrating His sovereignty over all creation, including the grave.

* [John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")
* [Romans 4:17](/romans/4-17 "Romans 4:17 - God Who Gives Life to the Dead")
* [Hebrews 11:1](/hebrews/11-1 "Hebrews 11:1 - Definition of Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 8:49 confronts us with the stark reality of human despair when faced with what appears to be an unchangeable, final outcome. The messenger's words, "Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master," echo the voices of resignation and hopelessness that often arise in our own lives when we encounter situations that seem beyond repair—a broken relationship, a terminal diagnosis, a shattered dream, or a profound loss. This verse challenges us to consider where we place the limits of God's power. Do we, like the messenger, believe that some situations are simply too far gone for Jesus to intervene? The narrative immediately following this verse demonstrates that Jesus is not troubled by what we deem impossible; rather, these are precisely the moments where His power and glory are most vividly displayed. This passage calls us to cultivate a faith that looks beyond the immediate, devastating news and trusts in the one who is the resurrection and the life, even when all human hope has vanished. It encourages us not to "trouble not the Master" by giving up, but to bring our seemingly dead situations to Him, believing that with God, all things are possible.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "dead" situations in your life or the lives of those you know are you tempted to believe are beyond Jesus's ability to intervene?**
* **How does the messenger's advice, "trouble not the Master," reflect a common human tendency to underestimate God's power?**
* **In what ways can you actively choose to "only believe" (as Jesus instructs in the next verse) when faced with seemingly hopeless circumstances?**
* **How does this account challenge your understanding of faith, particularly when the outcome seems contrary to your prayers?**

### FAQ

**Why did the messenger tell Jesus "trouble not the Master"?**

Answer: The messenger's advice, "trouble not the Master," stemmed from the prevailing human understanding of death as an irreversible state. In their worldview, once someone had died, there was no hope for physical restoration. The messenger likely saw Jesus as a powerful teacher and healer, but not as someone with authority over death itself. Therefore, from their perspective, continuing the journey to Jairus's house would be pointless and an unnecessary burden or "trouble" for Jesus, as the situation was beyond remedy. It was a statement born of human limitation and despair, not a lack of respect for Jesus, but a misunderstanding of His divine power over life and death.

**What was Jesus doing when the messenger arrived with the news?**

Answer: According to [Luke 8:49](/luke/8-49 "Luke 8:49 - News of Jairus's Daughter's Death"), the messenger arrived "While he yet spake." This refers to Jesus's ongoing conversation and interaction with the crowd, specifically following the healing of the woman with the issue of blood, which is detailed in [Luke 8:43-48](/luke/8-43-48 "Luke 8:43-48 - Healing of the Woman with a Hemorrhage"). Jesus had just finished asking who had touched Him and had affirmed the woman's faith. The arrival of the messenger thus interrupts a moment of teaching and compassionate engagement, injecting a sudden and dramatic turn into the narrative.

**How does this event connect to Jesus's overall ministry and claims?**

Answer: This event is a powerful demonstration of Jesus's authority over death, a central theme in His ministry and a key aspect of His divine claims. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus performs miracles that heal sickness, cast out demons, and control nature, but raising the dead is a unique display of His ultimate power. This incident, along with the raising of the widow's son in [Luke 7:11-17](/luke/7-11-17 "Luke 7:11-17 - Jesus Raises the Widow's Son") and Lazarus in [John 11](/john/11 "John 11 - The Raising of Lazarus"), serves as a foretaste of His own resurrection and His victory over the grave. It validates His claims as the Son of God, the one who possesses "life in himself" ([John 5:26](/john/5-26 "John 5:26 - The Son Has Life in Himself")) and who is the "resurrection and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 8:49, with its declaration of death and the human counsel to "trouble not the Master," dramatically sets the stage for a profound Christ-centered fulfillment. While the messenger saw death as the ultimate barrier, Jesus embodies the ultimate triumph over it. This narrative foreshadows Jesus's own victory over the grave and His role as the giver of life. He is not merely a teacher who can heal the sick, but the Lord of life who holds the keys of death and Hades ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Jesus Holds the Keys of Death and Hades")). The raising of Jairus's daughter, like the raising of Lazarus ([John 11:43-44](/john/11-43-44 "John 11:43-44 - Lazarus, Come Out!")), points forward to the ultimate resurrection of all who believe in Him. His command to Jairus, "Do not fear; only believe" ([Luke 8:50](/luke/8-50 "Luke 8:50 - Jesus's Encouragement to Believe")), is the essence of the Gospel: faith in Christ overcomes the finality of death. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has disarmed the power of death and offers eternal life to all who trust in Him, fulfilling the hope that human messengers could not fathom ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Destroys the Power of Death"); [1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")). He is the true Master, whose authority extends even to the grave, offering resurrection and life where only despair once reigned.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 7:6

Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:

Isaiah 7:12

But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD.

Mark 5:35

¶ While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's [house certain] which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?

Mark 5:43

And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

Luke 8:41

And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:

Luke 8:43

And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,

Matthew 9:23

And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,