Luke 8:51

KJV

And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} when he came {G1525} into {G1519} the house {G3614}, he suffered {G863} no {G3756} man {G3762} to go in {G1525}, save {G1508} Peter {G4074}, and {G2532} James {G2385}, and {G2532} John {G2491}, and {G2532} the father {G3962} and {G2532} the mother {G3384} of the maiden {G3816}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When he arrived at the house, he didn't allow anyone to go in with him except Kefa, Yochanan, Ya`akov and the child's father and mother

Berean Standard Bible

When He entered the house, He did not allow anyone to go in with Him except Peter, John, James, and the child’s father and mother.

American Standard Version

And when he came to the house, he suffered not any man to enter in with him, save Peter, and John, and James, and the father of the maiden and her mother.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 8:51 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus's ministry, immediately preceding the resurrection of Jairus's daughter. This verse highlights Jesus's intentional control over the environment surrounding His divine acts, as He carefully selects a small, intimate group—His inner circle of disciples and the maiden's parents—to witness the profound restoration of life. This deliberate choice underscores the sacred, personal, and deeply significant nature of the miracle about to unfold, setting it apart from mere public spectacle.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture in Luke's narrative, following the dramatic healing of the woman with the issue of blood, which momentarily interrupted Jesus's journey to Jairus's house. Just as Jesus finishes speaking with the healed woman, messengers arrive with the devastating news that Jairus's daughter has died ([Luke 8:49](/luke/8-49 "Luke 8:49 - Messengers Announce Death")). Despite this grim report, Jesus immediately offers a powerful counter-command and promise to Jairus: "Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole" ([Luke 8:50](/luke/8-50 "Luke 8:50 - Jesus Comforts Jairus")). Upon arriving at the house, Jesus encounters the customary scene of loud mourning, wailing, and professional lamentation (Luke 8:52), typical of Jewish funeral practices. Rather than performing the miracle amidst this tumultuous crowd, Jesus deliberately clears the room, creating a private space for the divine intervention, thus emphasizing the intimate and personal nature of the impending resurrection.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish society had well-established customs surrounding death and mourning. Upon a death, professional mourners (often women) would be hired to lament loudly, tear their clothes, and play flutes, creating a public display of grief. This "tumult" (Luke 8:52) that Jesus encounters at Jairus's house was a standard part of these rituals. Furthermore, contact with a dead body was considered ritually defiling according to Mosaic Law (Numbers 19:11-13), requiring purification. Jesus's actions in entering the house and touching the dead girl (Luke 8:54) demonstrate His authority over such ritual concerns, symbolizing His power to overcome spiritual and physical death, which transcends human defilement. The selection of witnesses also aligns with the cultural importance of credible testimony in Jewish legal and social contexts.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 8:51 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost among these is **Jesus's Authority Over Death**, showcasing His unique power to restore life, a power demonstrated earlier in the raising of the widow's son at Nain ([Luke 7:11-17](/luke/7-11-17 "Luke 7:11-17 - Jesus Raises the Widow's Son")). The verse also highlights the theme of **Discipleship and the Inner Circle**, as Peter, James, and John are consistently chosen by Jesus to witness His most profound moments, such as the [Transfiguration](/luke/9-28-36 "Luke 9:28-36 - The Transfiguration") and His agony in [Gethsemane](/luke/22-39-46 "Luke 22:39-46 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane"). This selective access underscores their privileged role and the weight of their future testimony. Finally, the passage subtly reinforces the theme of **Privacy in Miracles**, as Jesus often chose to perform His most intimate miracles away from the crowds, or instructed those He healed not to immediately publicize the event, thereby preventing sensationalism and focusing on the genuine faith involved and the spiritual implications rather than mere spectacle.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **suffered (Greek, _aphíēmi'_):** This verb, G863, means "to send forth," but in this context, it carries the sense of "to permit," "to allow," or "to let go." The KJV's "suffered" is an older English usage of "permitted." Here, it emphasizes Jesus's deliberate and active choice to restrict access, not a passive allowance. He intentionally did not permit others to enter, demonstrating His control over the scene.
* **go in (Greek, _eisérchomai'_):** This compound verb, G1525, from `eis` (into) and `erchomai` (to come/go), literally means "to enter in" or "to come into." Its use here, in conjunction with `aphíēmi`, highlights the physical action of entering the house/room. Jesus's refusal to "suffer... to go in" means He actively prevented entry, ensuring the space for the miracle remained private and controlled.
* **maiden (Greek, _paîs'_):** This noun, G3816, can mean "boy," "girl," "child," or even "servant/slave." In this context, given the narrative of Jairus's daughter, it unequivocally refers to a young girl. The use of "maiden" emphasizes her youth and vulnerability, making the miracle of her resurrection all the more poignant and miraculous.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when he came into the house":** This clause marks Jesus's arrival at the specific location of the miracle—Jairus's home. It signifies the transition from the public sphere, where Jesus had just healed the woman and received the news of the girl's death, to a more private setting.
* **"he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John":** This is the core action of the verse, demonstrating Jesus's deliberate selection process. The phrase "suffered no man to go in" (meaning "permitted no one to enter") underscores Jesus's authority and intention to limit witnesses. The explicit naming of Peter, James, and John highlights their unique position within Jesus's inner circle, chosen to witness His most profound divine acts.
* **"and the father and the mother of the maiden":** This final clause completes the list of those permitted to witness the miracle. The inclusion of the parents is crucial, as they are the ones whose faith was challenged and whose daughter's life was at stake. Their presence ensures that the immediate family, those most intimately affected, are direct witnesses to God's restorative power in their home.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 8:51 employs several significant literary devices. **Selection** and **Exclusion** are primary, as Jesus actively chooses who will witness the miracle, deliberately excluding the larger crowd and most of His disciples. This act of selection serves to highlight the special status of Peter, James, and John, emphasizing their role as privileged witnesses to key moments in Jesus's ministry. There is also a strong element of **Contrast** in this verse: the chaotic, public wailing and mourning outside the room (implied by the context) are contrasted with the quiet, intimate space Jesus creates within the house. This shift from public spectacle to private solemnity underscores the sacred nature of the impending divine act. Furthermore, the passage uses **Foreshadowing**, as Jesus's control over who witnesses this resurrection foreshadows the later, more profound, and equally selective witnessing of His own resurrection by chosen apostles.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 8:51 profoundly illustrates Jesus's sovereign authority and His deliberate approach to ministry. By limiting the witnesses to the raising of Jairus's daughter, Jesus not only ensured the privacy necessary for such an intimate act of divine power but also cultivated a core group of disciples who would become foundational witnesses to His most significant works, including His ultimate victory over death. This selective witnessing underscores the sacredness of God's intervention and the privileged role of those called to testify to His power. It also teaches us that God often works in quiet, personal ways, inviting a deeper, more intimate faith rather than seeking public acclaim. The passage serves as a powerful testament to Jesus's unique power over death, offering a glimpse into the life-giving authority that would culminate in His own resurrection.

* [Matthew 17:1](/matthew/17-1 "Matthew 17:1 - The Transfiguration"): Jesus takes Peter, James, and John to a high mountain, where they witness His Transfiguration, another moment of profound divine revelation.
* [Matthew 26:37](/matthew/26-37 "Matthew 26:37 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane"): In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus again takes only Peter and the two sons of Zebedee (James and John) with Him to witness His intense agony and prayer before His crucifixion.
* [Acts 9:40](/acts/9-40 "Acts 9:40 - Peter Raises Tabitha"): Peter, echoing Jesus's actions, puts everyone out of the room before praying for and raising Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead, demonstrating a similar principle of privacy for a miracle of resurrection.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 8:51 offers profound insights into the nature of God's work and our role as His followers. Jesus's deliberate choice to limit the witnesses reminds us that not all of God's powerful acts are meant for public display or sensationalism. Sometimes, God invites us into intimate, private spaces to witness His power and presence, cultivating a deeper, more personal faith. This passage challenges us to consider where we seek God's presence—in the clamor of the crowd or in the quiet intimacy of belief. It encourages us to trust in Jesus's power even when circumstances seem hopeless, just as Jairus was called to believe despite his daughter's death. Furthermore, being among the chosen witnesses, like Peter, James, and John, is a privilege that comes with responsibility—to faithfully bear witness to what God has done. We are called to be attentive to the subtle, powerful ways God works in our own lives and in the lives of those around us, recognizing that His most profound interventions often occur in spaces of quiet faith and trust.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Why might Jesus choose to limit witnesses to His miracles, and what does this teach us about God's work?**
* **How does this passage encourage us to seek God in private, intimate moments rather than always in public displays?**
* **What does it mean to be a "credible witness" to God's work in our lives and in the world today?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus only allow Peter, James, and John, along with the parents, to witness the raising of Jairus's daughter?**

Answer: Jesus's decision to limit the witnesses to His inner circle (Peter, James, and John) and the girl's parents was multifaceted. Firstly, it established a pattern of **privileged access** for these three disciples, who were consistently chosen to witness Jesus's most profound moments, such as the [Transfiguration](/luke/9-28-36 "Luke 9:28-36 - The Transfiguration") and His agony in [Gethsemane](/luke/22-39-46 "Luke 22:39-46 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane"). This prepared them for their future leadership roles and the weighty testimony they would bear. Secondly, it fostered an **atmosphere of intimacy and solemnity**, preventing the miracle from becoming a public spectacle or a source of mere sensationalism. Jesus often sought to avoid drawing crowds for the wrong reasons, preferring to focus on genuine faith and the spiritual significance of His actions. Lastly, the presence of the parents ensured that the immediate family, those most deeply affected, were undeniable witnesses to the restoration of their daughter's life, reinforcing the personal nature of God's intervention.

**Was Jesus trying to hide His power or the miracle by limiting the witnesses?**

Answer: No, Jesus was not trying to hide His power, but rather to control the context and impact of His miracles. His actions were a deliberate choice to prevent misinterpretation or exploitation of His divine authority. By limiting the witnesses, Jesus ensured that the focus remained on the **power of God and the faith involved**, rather than on public acclaim or political implications. He often instructed those He healed not to immediately tell others (e.g., [Mark 1:43-44](/mark/1-43-44 "Mark 1:43-44 - Jesus Heals a Leper")), not to conceal His power, but to manage the growing crowds and allow His message to be understood on its own terms, free from sensationalism. In this instance, He created an environment conducive to a profound, personal encounter with God's life-giving power, witnessed by those who would truly understand its significance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 8:51, with its depiction of Jesus's authority over death and His careful selection of witnesses, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ Himself. The raising of Jairus's daughter is a powerful **foreshadowing** of Jesus's own resurrection, the ultimate victory over death for all humanity. Just as Jesus commanded the maiden to "Arise!" ([Luke 8:54](/luke/8-54 "Luke 8:54 - Jesus Raises Jairus's Daughter")), He Himself would conquer the grave, demonstrating His absolute power as "the resurrection, and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). The chosen witnesses—Peter, James, and John—who saw the maiden raised, would later become the foundational apostles who bore witness to Christ's own bodily resurrection, proclaiming Him as the Lord of life. This passage reminds us that Jesus's power to restore physical life is a tangible sign of His greater power to grant spiritual life and eternal salvation. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus opens the way for all who believe in Him to experience a spiritual resurrection from sin and a future bodily resurrection to eternal life, fulfilling the promise of new life that He demonstrated in Jairus's home. His exclusive power over death, first displayed in such miracles, culminates in His triumph over the grave, offering hope and life to a world bound by sin and mortality ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Buried with Christ")).

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

2 Kings 4:4

And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.

2 Kings 4:6

And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, [There is] not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.

Isaiah 42:2

He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.

Luke 9:28

¶ And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.

1 Kings 17:19

And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed.

1 Kings 17:23

And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.

Mark 14:33

And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;