Luke 8:50

KJV

But when Jesus heard [it], he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} when Jesus {G2424} heard {G191} it, he answered {G611} him {G846}, saying {G3004}, Fear {G5399} not {G3361}: believe {G4100} only {G3440}, and {G2532} she shall be made whole {G4982}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But on hearing this, Yeshua answered him, "Don't be afraid! Just go on trusting, and she will be made well."

Berean Standard Bible

But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Do not be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”

American Standard Version

But Jesus hearing it, answered him, Fear not: only believe, and she shall be made whole.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 8:50 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus's ministry, revealing His profound authority over death and His unwavering emphasis on the power of faith. Following the devastating news that Jairus's daughter had died, Jesus immediately intervenes to counter despair with a divine imperative, calling Jairus to set aside fear and embrace belief, promising the girl's restoration. This declaration sets the stage for a miraculous demonstration of Christ's life-giving power and His compassionate engagement with human suffering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of a deeply interwoven narrative in [Luke 8](/luke/8 "Luke 8 - Parables, Miracles, and Faith"). The chapter begins with Jesus teaching and performing miracles, including calming a storm and casting out demons. Immediately preceding [Luke 8:50](/luke/8-50 "Luke 8:50 - Jesus's Command to Jairus"), Jesus is approached by Jairus, a synagogue ruler, whose twelve-year-old daughter is dying ([Luke 8:41-42](/luke/8-41-42 "Luke 8:41-42 - Jairus's Plea")). On the way to Jairus's house, a significant interruption occurs: a woman suffering from a chronic hemorrhage touches Jesus's garment and is instantly healed by her faith ([Luke 8:43-48](/luke/8-43-48 "Luke 8:43-48 - The Woman with the Issue of Blood")). It is during this powerful, yet time-consuming, interaction that messengers arrive from Jairus's house with the grim news: "Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master" ([Luke 8:49](/luke/8-49 "Luke 8:49 - Messengers Announce the Daughter's Death")). Jesus's immediate and authoritative response in [Luke 8:50](/luke/8-50 "Luke 8:50 - Jesus's Command to Jairus") directly addresses this despair, setting the stage for the girl's miraculous resurrection ([Luke 8:54-55](/luke/8-54-55 "Luke 8:54-55 - Jesus Raises Jairus's Daughter")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, death was a profound and often public event, accompanied by immediate mourning rituals, including wailing and professional mourners. The news of a death, especially of a child, would evoke deep communal grief and a sense of finality. For a synagogue ruler like Jairus, a respected figure in the community, his daughter's death was not only a personal tragedy but also a public sorrow. The belief in resurrection was present among some Jewish groups (e.g., the Pharisees), but it was generally understood as an eschatological event, not something that could occur in the present through a human agent. Jesus's ability to raise the dead, therefore, was an astonishing claim to divine power, challenging conventional understanding and demonstrating His unique authority. The cultural expectation would have been that once death occurred, intervention was futile, making Jesus's command to "fear not" a radical counter-cultural statement.
* **Key Themes:** This passage powerfully contributes to several key themes in Luke's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the **sovereignty and divine authority of Jesus** over all things, including sickness and death. His ability to heal the woman with the issue of blood and then immediately command life over death demonstrates His comprehensive power. Secondly, the narrative highlights the **transformative power of faith**. Both the woman's healing and the command to Jairus emphasize that faith is the conduit for Jesus's miraculous intervention. Jairus is called to move beyond a faith for healing to a faith for resurrection, embodying the principle that "all things are possible for one who believes" ([Mark 9:23](/mark/9-23 "Mark 9:23 - All Things Are Possible")). Thirdly, the passage showcases Jesus's profound **compassion and pastoral care**. Despite the interruption and the apparent "too late" scenario, Jesus prioritizes Jairus's distraught heart, offering immediate hope and comfort in the face of overwhelming grief. This aligns with Luke's broader emphasis on Jesus's ministry to the marginalized and suffering.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fear (Greek, _phobéō'_):** From the root _phobos_ (fear, dread), this verb means "to frighten, to be alarmed," and by extension, "to be in awe of, to revere." In this context, Jesus uses it in the imperative, "Fear not" (μὴ φοβοῦ, _mē phobou_), which is a command to stop being afraid or to cease the act of fearing. It directly addresses Jairus's natural human reaction to the devastating news, calling him to replace his terror and despair with trust.
* **Believe (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** Derived from _pistis_ (faith), this verb means "to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ)." Jesus's command "believe only" (μόνον πίστευσον, _monon písteuson_) is a singular, focused imperative. It calls Jairus to an active, unwavering trust in Jesus's power and word, despite all contrary evidence. This is not a passive intellectual assent but an active reliance.
* **Whole (Greek, _sṓzō'_):** Meaning "to save, i.e., deliver or protect (literally or figuratively)," this verb can encompass healing, preservation, and being made well. In the context of Jairus's daughter, "she shall be made whole" (σωθήσεται, _sōthēsetai_) clearly refers to a complete physical restoration from death to life. This broad semantic range highlights the comprehensive nature of Jesus's power to bring salvation, healing, and life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But when Jesus heard [it], he answered him, saying":** This opening clause highlights Jesus's immediate and decisive response to the messengers' declaration. The "it" refers to the devastating news that Jairus's daughter had died. Jesus does not hesitate or express shock; instead, He immediately takes control of the situation with His authoritative word, demonstrating His divine awareness and readiness to act.
* **"Fear not":** This is Jesus's direct and compassionate imperative to Jairus. In the face of overwhelming grief and the apparent finality of death, Jesus commands Jairus to abandon his fear. This is not a dismissal of his sorrow but a call to transcend it through faith, preventing despair from paralyzing him. It sets the tone for the miracle to follow.
* **"believe only":** This phrase presents the singular condition for the miracle. Jesus calls Jairus to an exclusive and focused faith in Him, filtering out all other voices of doubt, despair, or worldly wisdom. The word "only" (Greek, _mónon_) emphasizes that faith, and faith alone, is the necessary response to Jesus's power, regardless of the seemingly impossible circumstances.
* **"and she shall be made whole":** This is Jesus's divine promise, directly linking Jairus's belief to the outcome. The word "whole" (Greek, _sṓzō_) here signifies not just healing from sickness, but a complete restoration of life from death. It is a declaration of Jesus's authority over life and death, assuring Jairus that his daughter will be brought back to a state of complete well-being.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 8:50 is rich in literary devices that amplify its theological significance. The most prominent is **Contrast**, as Jesus's words ("Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole") stand in stark opposition to the messengers' declaration ("Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master"). This juxtaposition highlights the chasm between human despair and divine hope. Jesus employs **Imperative Language** ("Fear not," "believe only"), which conveys His authority and the urgency of the command, demanding an immediate and decisive response from Jairus. There is also a powerful sense of **Divine Pronouncement**, as Jesus speaks with the authority of God, declaring a future reality (her being made whole) that defies present circumstances. Furthermore, the narrative employs **Dramatic Irony**; the messengers believe the situation is hopeless, but the reader, knowing Jesus's power, anticipates the miracle that will unfold, making Jesus's calm assurance all the more impactful.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 8:50 serves as a profound theological statement on Jesus's identity and the nature of saving faith. It unequivocally demonstrates Jesus's absolute sovereignty over death, a power reserved for God alone. By raising the dead, Jesus validates His divine claims and foreshadows His own victory over the grave. The command "Fear not: believe only" encapsulates a core principle of the Christian life: that faith is the proper response to God's omnipotence, especially in the face of human limitation and despair. It teaches that God's power is not constrained by the severity of our circumstances, but rather, it is accessed through our trust in Him. This passage underscores God's compassionate nature, as Jesus, seeing Jairus's grief, immediately offers hope and life, affirming His active involvement in the deepest human sufferings.

* [Mark 5:36](/mark/5-36 "Mark 5:36 - Jesus's Command to Jairus")
* [John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")
* [Romans 4:18-21](/romans/4-18-21 "Romans 4:18-21 - Abraham's Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 8:50 offers profound and timeless encouragement for believers navigating life's most challenging moments. When confronted with news that seems to extinguish all hope, or when circumstances appear irreversible and final, Jesus's words resonate with divine authority: "Fear not: believe only." This verse challenges us to cultivate a faith that transcends what our senses perceive and what human logic dictates. It calls us to actively choose trust over terror, to fix our gaze on Christ's limitless power rather than on the limitations of our situation. In a world often dominated by fear—fear of loss, fear of failure, fear of the unknown—this passage serves as a powerful reminder that our God is sovereign over all, even death itself. It invites us to bring our "dead" situations, our deepest despairs, and our most impossible prayers to Jesus, trusting that with Him, it is never too late for a miracle, and that His power is made perfect in our weakness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "dead" situations or seemingly irreversible circumstances in your life are causing you to fear, and how might Jesus's command to Jairus speak to those fears?**
* **In what specific ways can you actively choose to "believe only" when faced with overwhelming odds, rather than succumbing to despair or doubt?**
* **How does Jesus's immediate compassion for Jairus, even amidst His busy ministry, encourage you about God's care for your personal sorrows and interruptions?**
* **Beyond physical healing, how does the concept of being "made whole" (sōzō) apply to areas of your life that need spiritual, emotional, or relational restoration?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus delay on the way to Jairus's house, seemingly allowing the daughter to die?**

Answer: Jesus's "delay" was not an oversight but a divinely orchestrated moment that served multiple purposes. Firstly, it allowed for the healing of the woman with the issue of blood ([Luke 8:43-48](/luke/8-43-48 "Luke 8:43-48 - The Woman with the Issue of Blood")), demonstrating Jesus's compassion and power to a broader audience and highlighting the importance of faith. Secondly, the delay transformed the situation from a potential healing to a resurrection, showcasing Jesus's ultimate authority over death itself. This elevated the miracle from a display of power over sickness to a demonstration of power over the final enemy ([1 Corinthians 15:26](/1_corinthians/15-26 "1 Corinthians 15:26 - The Last Enemy, Death")). The delay was not a hindrance but a setup for a greater revelation of who Jesus is.

**What kind of "belief" was Jesus asking for from Jairus?**

Answer: Jesus was asking for a radical, unwavering faith that transcended human understanding and defied the visible circumstances. It was a belief that Jesus's word was true and powerful enough to overcome even death. This was not merely intellectual assent but an active trust and reliance on Jesus's divine ability, even when all hope seemed lost. It was a faith that looked beyond the grim reality of death to the limitless power of the Son of God, similar to the faith commended in [Hebrews 11:1](/hebrews/11-1 "Hebrews 11:1 - The Definition of Faith") as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

**Does this passage mean that if we "believe only," God will always grant our desires, even raising the dead today?**

Answer: While this passage powerfully illustrates Jesus's authority and the importance of faith, it does not guarantee that God will always intervene in the exact same miraculous way in every situation. God's will and timing are sovereign. The primary lesson is that faith is the proper response to God's character and power, inviting us to trust Him fully even when circumstances seem impossible. Miracles are ultimately God's prerogative, and He works according to His perfect plan ([Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works for Good")). This passage assures us of Jesus's power over death and His compassion, encouraging us to bring our deepest needs to Him with expectant faith, while acknowledging that His ways are higher than ours ([Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 8:50 stands as a profound testament to the Christ-centered nature of salvation and the ultimate triumph over death. Jesus's command to Jairus, "Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole," is a microcosm of the Gospel message itself. It foreshadows His own ultimate victory over death through His resurrection, demonstrating that He is indeed "the resurrection and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). Just as He called Jairus to believe in the face of physical death, so too does He call all humanity to believe in Him for spiritual life, rescuing us from the spiritual death caused by sin ([Ephesians 2:1-5](/ephesians/2-1-5 "Ephesians 2:1-5 - Made Alive in Christ")). The "wholeness" promised to Jairus's daughter points to the comprehensive salvation offered in Christ—healing not only of the body but of the soul, reconciling us to God and granting eternal life ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")). This event assures us that because Christ conquered the grave, believers need not fear death, for He has promised that "whoever lives and believes in me will never die" ([John 11:26](/john/11-26 "John 11:26 - Belief in Jesus for Eternal Life")). Thus, Luke 8:50 is not merely a historical account of a miracle, but a powerful revelation of Jesus as the Lord of life, who offers hope and restoration to all who will simply believe.

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

John 11:40

Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

Mark 5:36

As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

John 11:25

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

Mark 11:22

And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

Mark 11:24

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive [them], and ye shall have [them].

Luke 8:48

And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

Romans 4:17

¶ (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, [even] God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.