Luke 8:54

KJV

And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} he {G846} put {G1544} them all {G3956} out {G1854}, and {G2532} took {G2902} her {G846} by the hand {G5495}, and called {G5455}, saying {G3004}, Maid {G3816}, arise {G1453}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But he took her by the hand, called out, "Little girl, get up!"

Berean Standard Bible

But Jesus took her by the hand and called out, “Child, get up!”

American Standard Version

But he, taking her by the hand, called, saying, Maiden, arise.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 8:54 encapsulates the climactic moment of Jesus' miraculous raising of Jairus's daughter, a profound demonstration of His divine authority over life and death. Following a scene of public skepticism and profound grief, Jesus' actions of clearing the room, taking the girl's hand, and issuing a simple, authoritative command reveal His tender compassion and absolute power to restore life, transforming sorrow into overwhelming joy for the distraught parents.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal verse concludes the narrative of Jairus's daughter, which commences in [Luke 8:40](/luke/8-40 "Luke 8:40 - Crowds Welcome Jesus"). Jairus, a synagogue ruler, approaches Jesus in desperation, pleading for his dying twelve-year-old daughter ([Luke 8:41-42](/luke/8-41-42 "Luke 8:41-42 - Jairus's Plea")). En route to Jairus's home, the narrative is dramatically interrupted by the healing of a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years ([Luke 8:43-48](/luke/8-43-48 "Luke 8:43-48 - The Woman with a Hemorrhage")). While Jesus is still speaking with the healed woman, messengers arrive with the devastating news that Jairus's daughter has died, advising against troubling Jesus further ([Luke 8:49](/luke/8-49 "Luke 8:49 - News of Death")). However, Jesus immediately reassures Jairus with a profound declaration of faith: "Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole" ([Luke 8:50](/luke/8-50 "Luke 8:50 - Jesus' Assurance to Jairus")). Upon reaching the house, Jesus encounters a chaotic scene of professional mourners and wailers. He dismisses their lamentations, stating the girl is merely "asleep," a declaration met with ridicule from those who knew she was dead ([Luke 8:51-53](/luke/8-51-53 "Luke 8:51-53 - Jesus Enters the House")). It is against this backdrop of public disbelief and private sorrow that Jesus clears the room, allowing only Peter, James, John, and the girl's parents to witness the miracle, emphasizing the intimate and sacred nature of the impending act.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, death was a profoundly significant event, accompanied by elaborate mourning rituals. Professional mourners, often women, were hired to wail, lament, and play flutes, creating a public display of grief. This practice, evident in [Luke 8:52](/luke/8-52 "Luke 8:52 - Professional Mourners"), underscores the certainty of the girl's death in the eyes of the community. A twelve-year-old girl was on the cusp of womanhood, making her death particularly tragic for her parents, especially for a synagogue ruler like Jairus, whose social standing would have amplified the public nature of his grief. The act of "putting them all out" (verse 54) was culturally significant, as it cleared the space of ritual impurity associated with death and removed the mocking crowd, creating an environment of solemnity and faith for the miracle. Jesus' compassionate touch of taking her by the hand was a culturally intimate gesture, especially given the strictures often placed on interaction with the dead, further highlighting His unique authority and tenderness.

* **Key Themes:** This passage powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is **Jesus' Authority Over Death**, demonstrating His absolute power to reverse the finality of physical death through a simple command, foreshadowing His own resurrection and the future resurrection of believers. This miracle also highlights the **Power of Faith**, as Jairus's initial desperate plea and his subsequent belief in Jesus' reassurance despite overwhelming evidence of death are central to the narrative. Jesus' words, "Fear not: believe only," underscore the transformative potential of unwavering trust in His divine capability, even in seemingly hopeless situations. Furthermore, the passage emphasizes **Jesus' Compassion and Intimacy**, as He clears the room and takes the girl's hand, revealing a personal and tender concern for the grieving family rather than performing a public spectacle. This act reinforces Jesus' identity as the ultimate **Life-Giver**, a theme echoed throughout the Gospels, affirming His unique divine nature as the source of all life and the one who overcomes death itself, as proclaimed in [John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **put... out (Greek, _ekbállō'_):** From G1544, meaning "to eject (literally or figuratively)." In this context, it signifies Jesus' decisive action to remove the professional mourners and skeptics from the house. This was not merely a physical removal but an act of asserting control over the environment, clearing the way for a sacred, intimate display of divine power, free from unbelief and mockery.
* **took (Greek, _kratéō'_):** From G2902, meaning "to use strength, i.e. seize or retain (literally or figuratively); to hold (by, fast), keep, lay hand (hold) on." This word describes Jesus' firm yet tender grasp of the girl's hand. It conveys not just a physical action but also an assertion of power and connection, a direct transfer of life-giving authority through touch, signifying intimacy and control over the situation.
* **Maid (Greek, _paîs'_):** From G3816, meaning "a boy... or (by analogy), a girl; a child." This term, used by Jesus, carries a sense of tender address to a young girl. While the parallel account in Mark uses the Aramaic "Talitha" (little girl), Luke's Greek "paîs" still conveys affection and highlights the youth of the one being addressed, emphasizing the profound nature of raising a child from death.
* **arise (Greek, _egeírō'_):** From G1453, meaning "to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e. rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from obscurity, inactivity, ruins, nonexistence)." This is the powerful, authoritative command that brings the girl back to life. The word's range of meaning, from waking from sleep to rising from death, is particularly significant here, as Jesus had just declared she was "asleep," subtly equating death with a temporary slumber from which He could awaken her. It underscores His absolute power over all states of being.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he put them all out":** This initial clause describes Jesus' decisive action to clear the room of the wailing mourners and unbelievers. This act was crucial for several reasons: it removed the atmosphere of public lamentation and mockery, created a private and sacred space for the miracle, and underscored Jesus' authority over the situation and those present. It was a deliberate separation of faith from unbelief.
* **"and took her by the hand":** This phrase highlights Jesus' tender, personal, and direct engagement with the deceased girl. The act of taking her hand signifies intimacy, compassion, and a direct physical connection through which His life-giving power would flow. It was a gesture of personal care, contrasting sharply with the earlier public spectacle, and emphasizing His unique ability to interact with and restore life to the dead.
* **"and called, saying, 'Maid, arise.'":** This is the climactic, authoritative command that brings about the miracle. Jesus' "calling" (G5455, _phōnéō'_) implies a clear, audible, and powerful utterance. The simple, direct imperative "Maid, arise" (G3816 _paîs_, G1453 _egeírō'_) demonstrates His absolute sovereignty over life and death. It is a divine decree that instantly reverses the natural course of mortality, showcasing His inherent power as the Giver of life.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 8:54 is rich with literary devices that amplify its theological significance. The most striking is **Command**, as Jesus issues a direct, authoritative imperative: "Maid, arise." This simple, declarative statement immediately brings about a profound reversal of death, showcasing His divine power and sovereignty. This command is juxtaposed with the **Dramatic Irony** present in the preceding verses, where Jesus states the girl is "asleep," a claim met with ridicule from those who "knew that she was dead" ([Luke 8:53](/luke/8-53 "Luke 8:53 - They Laughed at Him")). Jesus' statement, while literally true in a spiritual sense (death as sleep for believers), is perceived as an absurdity by the crowd, highlighting their spiritual blindness compared to Jesus' ultimate reality. Furthermore, the act of Jesus taking the girl "by the hand" serves as powerful **Symbolism**. The hand represents not only physical touch and intimacy but also the conduit of divine power, a personal connection through which life is restored. This intimate gesture contrasts sharply with the public display of grief, underscoring Jesus' personal compassion and the sacred nature of the miracle. Finally, the narrative employs **Contrast** between the chaotic wailing of the mourners and Jesus' calm, authoritative presence, emphasizing His control and the profound peace He brings in the face of death.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 8:54 stands as a powerful testament to Jesus' absolute sovereignty over life and death, a core theological truth woven throughout the Gospels. This miracle is not merely a display of power but a profound revelation of Jesus' identity as the Life-Giver and the ultimate Victor over humanity's greatest enemy. It underscores the transformative power of faith, demonstrating that even in the face of undeniable death, belief in Jesus can lead to miraculous restoration. The intimacy of Jesus' actions—clearing the room and taking the girl's hand—also highlights His deep compassion and personal engagement with human suffering, assuring believers that He is present and active in their darkest moments. This event serves as a powerful foreshadowing of Jesus' own resurrection and the future hope of resurrection for all who believe in Him, transforming the finality of death into a temporary sleep from which He will awaken His own.

* [John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"): Jesus declares, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die."
* [Mark 5:41](/mark/5-41 "Mark 5:41 - Jesus' Aramaic Command"): The parallel account preserves Jesus' Aramaic words, "Talitha cumi," meaning "Little girl, I say to you, arise," emphasizing the directness and tenderness of His command.
* [1 Thessalonians 4:16-17](/1_thessalonians/4-16-17 "1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 - The Lord's Return and Resurrection"): Paul speaks of the Lord descending from heaven, and "the dead in Christ will rise first," providing a future hope of resurrection for believers, echoing Jesus' power demonstrated in Luke 8:54.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Jairus's daughter, culminating in Luke 8:54, offers profound encouragement and practical application for believers today. In a world often marked by loss, grief, and seemingly insurmountable challenges, this passage reminds us that no situation is beyond the reach of Jesus' power and compassion. We are called to cultivate a faith like Jairus's, one that persists and trusts in Jesus' ability even when circumstances appear hopeless and others mock. This miracle assures us that Jesus cares deeply about our individual struggles, entering into our pain with tender intimacy, as evidenced by His personal touch and private miracle. It challenges us to dismiss the "mourners" of doubt, fear, and worldly skepticism from our hearts, making room for the transformative power of Christ. Ultimately, it strengthens our hope in the resurrection, reminding us that for those in Christ, death is not a finality but a temporary sleep, a promise that anchors our faith in the face of mortality and future glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you currently facing a "dead" situation that needs Jesus' life-giving touch?**
* **How can you cultivate a deeper, more persistent faith like Jairus, even when circumstances seem hopeless or others doubt?**
* **What "mourners" (doubts, fears, worldly perspectives) might Jesus be calling you to "put out" of your life to make room for His work?**
* **How does this miracle strengthen your hope in the ultimate victory over death through Christ?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Jesus putting "them all out" before raising the girl?**

Answer: Jesus' action of putting "them all out" ([Luke 8:51](/luke/8-51 "Luke 8:51 - Jesus Enters the House")) was highly significant. Firstly, it removed the professional mourners and other onlookers whose wailing and mockery ([Luke 8:53](/luke/8-53 "Luke 8:53 - They Laughed at Him")) created an atmosphere of unbelief and chaos. This allowed for a sacred, intimate space where faith could operate without hindrance. Secondly, it emphasized that this miracle was not a public spectacle for entertainment or validation, but a profound demonstration of divine power intended for the immediate family and a select few disciples (Peter, James, and John), highlighting the personal and compassionate nature of Jesus' work. It underscored that true faith often thrives in quiet, private moments, away from the noise of skepticism.

**Why does Jesus say the girl is "asleep" when she is clearly dead?**

Answer: Jesus' statement in [Luke 8:52](/luke/8-52 "Luke 8:52 - Jesus Says She Is Asleep") that the girl is "not dead, but asleep" is a profound theological statement, not a literal misdiagnosis. From Jesus' divine perspective, death, for those who belong to Him or whom He intends to raise, is merely a temporary state, akin to sleep, from which He has the power to awaken them. This concept of death as "sleep" is a common biblical metaphor for the temporary nature of physical death before resurrection ([John 11:11-14](/john/11-11-14 "John 11:11-14 - Lazarus's Sleep")). It highlights His absolute authority over life and death, demonstrating that death holds no ultimate power over Him, and for those in Him, it is not the end.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 8:54, with Jesus' authoritative command "Maid, arise," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Himself. This miracle is a powerful microcosm of the greater reality: Jesus is the embodiment of life, the one who possesses inherent authority over death. His ability to call a dead girl back to life foreshadows His own triumphant resurrection from the grave, which serves as the bedrock of Christian hope. Just as He spoke life into Jairus's daughter, so too did He conquer death through His cross and empty tomb, becoming the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ, the Firstfruits")). This event points forward to the glorious day when "all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out" ([John 5:28-29](/john/5-28-29 "John 5:28-29 - The Resurrection of Life and Judgment")). For believers, Jesus' command to "arise" extends beyond physical resurrection to spiritual new birth, as He calls us from the "death" of sin to new life in Him ([Ephesians 2:1-5](/ephesians/2-1-5 "Ephesians 2:1-5 - Made Alive in Christ")). He is not only the one who raises the dead but also the very "resurrection and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")), offering eternal life to all who believe. Thus, Luke 8:54 is a vivid illustration of Christ's unparalleled power to bring life out of death, both physically and spiritually, culminating in the promise of a future resurrection for all who are united with Him.

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

Jeremiah 31:32

Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day [that] I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

Mark 1:31

And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

John 11:43

And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

Acts 9:40

But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning [him] to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

John 5:21

For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth [them]; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

John 5:28

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

John 5:29

And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.