Luke 8:55

KJV

And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} her {G846} spirit {G4151} came again {G1994}, and {G2532} she arose {G450} straightway {G3916}: and {G2532} he commanded {G1299} to give {G1325} her {G846} meat {G5315}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and her spirit returned. She stood up at once, and he directed that something be given her to eat.

Berean Standard Bible

Her spirit returned, and at once she got up. And He directed that she be given something to eat.

American Standard Version

And her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately: and he commanded that something be given her to eat.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 8:55 presents the climactic moment of Jairus's daughter's resurrection, a profound demonstration of Jesus's divine authority over life and death. The immediate return of the girl's spirit and her subsequent arising confirm the miraculous nature of the event, signifying a true restoration to life rather than a mere awakening. Jesus's subsequent command to provide her with food underscores His holistic care, emphasizing the complete physical reality of her resurrection and His attention to practical human needs.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes the poignant narrative of Jairus's daughter, which begins in [Luke 8:40](/luke/8-40 "Luke 8:40 - Jesus Welcomed by the Crowd"). The story is dramatically interrupted by the healing of the woman with a twelve-year hemorrhage ([Luke 8:43-48](/luke/8-43-48 "Luke 8:43-48 - The Woman with a Hemorrhage")), creating suspense and highlighting Jesus's compassion even amidst urgency. News of the girl's death arrives while Jesus is still speaking to the woman ([Luke 8:49](/luke/8-49 "Luke 8:49 - News of the Girl's Death")), prompting Jesus's profound declaration to Jairus, "[Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole](/luke/8-50 "Luke 8:50 - Jesus Encourages Jairus's Faith")". Upon entering the house, Jesus dismisses the professional mourners, stating that the girl is "not dead, but sleepeth" ([Luke 8:52](/luke/8-52 "Luke 8:52 - Jesus Declares the Girl is Sleeping")), a statement met with derision, further highlighting the extraordinary nature of the miracle that follows.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, death was a profound and public event, often accompanied by immediate and elaborate mourning rituals, including professional mourners who would wail and lament. The presence of these mourners in [Luke 8:52](/luke/8-52 "Luke 8:52 - The Mourners Laugh at Jesus") confirms the girl was indeed considered dead by all present. Touching a dead body rendered a person ritually unclean ([Numbers 19:11](/numbers/19-11 "Numbers 19:11 - Uncleanness from a Dead Body")), yet Jesus, in His divine authority, transcends such ritualistic concerns. The command to give her food is not merely practical but also culturally significant, demonstrating that she was truly alive and restored to normal human functions, capable of eating and sustaining herself, dispelling any notion of a spectral or incomplete resuscitation.
* **Key Themes:** The raising of Jairus's daughter powerfully contributes to several key themes in Luke's Gospel. Foremost is **Jesus's Authority Over Death**, showcasing His unique power as the Lord of life, a theme also seen in the [raising of the widow of Nain's son](/luke/7-11-17 "Luke 7:11-17 - Raising the Widow's Son") and foreshadowing His own resurrection. Another crucial theme is **Faith**, exemplified by Jairus's persistent belief despite overwhelming evidence of death, reinforcing Jesus's teaching that "all things are possible to him that believeth" ([Mark 9:23](/mark/9-23 "Mark 9:23 - All Things are Possible to Him That Believeth")). Finally, the narrative highlights **Jesus's Compassion and Holistic Care**, as He not only restores life but also attends to the girl's immediate physical need for nourishment, demonstrating that His concern extends to every aspect of human well-being, a characteristic woven throughout [Luke's Gospel](/luke/1 "The Gospel of Luke").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **spirit (Greek, _pneûma'_):** (G4151) This term refers to a current of air, breath, or by analogy, the vital principle or rational soul. In this context, it explicitly denotes the life-force or soul of the girl returning to her body, confirming a genuine resurrection from death rather than a mere awakening from a coma or faint. Its return signifies the re-animation of the deceased.
* **came again (Greek, _epistréphō'_):** (G1994) Meaning "to revert" or "to turn back," this verb emphasizes the reversal of the state of death. The spirit, which had departed, now returns, indicating a complete and active restoration of life. It highlights the divine power that effectively commanded the life principle to re-enter the body.
* **meat (Greek, _phágō'_):** (G5315) While the KJV translates this as "meat," the Greek term is a primary verb meaning "to eat" or "food." This seemingly simple command is profoundly significant. It provides concrete evidence that the girl was fully and physically alive, capable of normal human functions like eating, thereby dispelling any doubt that she was a ghost or merely revived in a weakened state. It signifies complete restoration and a return to the normalcy of life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And her spirit came again":** This phrase describes the immediate and supernatural re-animation of the girl. It directly counters the perception of her death, asserting that the very essence of her life, her spirit, returned to her body, indicating a true resurrection and not a resuscitation from a coma.
* **"and she arose straightway":** This clause details the physical manifestation of the miracle. The girl's immediate rising confirms the instantaneous and complete nature of Jesus's power. There was no period of recovery or weakness; she was fully restored to health and strength at once, demonstrating the efficacy of divine intervention.
* **"and he commanded to give her meat":** This final command highlights Jesus's practical and holistic care. Beyond the miraculous restoration of life, Jesus attends to the girl's immediate physical need for nourishment. This detail serves as further undeniable proof of her complete physical restoration and her return to normal human existence, emphasizing that divine power is not only awe-inspiring but also deeply compassionate and practical.

#### Literary Devices
Luke employs several literary devices in this verse. **Euphemism** is evident in Jesus's earlier declaration that the girl was "not dead, but sleepeth" ([Luke 8:52](/luke/8-52 "Luke 8:52 - Jesus's Euphemism for Death")), which, while initially causing ridicule, sets the stage for the ease with which He overcomes death. The phrase "her spirit came again" functions as **Narrative Confirmation**, directly validating Jesus's power and the genuine nature of the resurrection against the skepticism of the mourners. The use of **Emphasis** is seen in "straightway" (Greek: _parachrēma_), which underscores the instantaneous and undeniable nature of the miracle, leaving no room for doubt about its divine origin. Finally, the entire event serves as **Symbolism**, demonstrating Jesus's ultimate authority over death, foreshadowing His own resurrection, and symbolizing the spiritual new life He offers to those who are spiritually dead.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 8:55 serves as a powerful theological statement about Jesus's absolute sovereignty over life and death. It unequivocally declares His divine power to reverse the most final of human conditions. This miracle is not merely a resuscitation but a resurrection, where the life-force (spirit) returns, leading to immediate and complete physical restoration. It underscores God's deep compassion, not only in restoring life but also in attending to the practical, physical needs of the restored individual. This holistic care reflects the comprehensive nature of God's love and provision for humanity, addressing both spiritual and physical realities.

* [Luke 7:15](/luke/7-15 "Luke 7:15 - Raising the Widow's Son"): Jesus raises the son of the widow of Nain, demonstrating His authority over death and His compassion for the grieving.
* [John 11:43-44](/john/11-43-44 "John 11:43-44 - Raising Lazarus"): Jesus calls Lazarus from the tomb, showcasing His power to conquer death even after four days, confirming His identity as "the resurrection and the life."
* [1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ as the Firstfruits of Resurrection"): Paul declares Christ as the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep," establishing His resurrection as the guarantee and pattern for all believers.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The resurrection of Jairus's daughter in Luke 8:55 offers profound hope and practical lessons for believers today. In a world often marked by despair and seemingly irreversible losses—whether physical, relational, or spiritual—this passage reminds us that Jesus possesses ultimate authority over every form of "death." Just as He brought life back to a lifeless body, He can bring renewal, restoration, and hope to situations that appear utterly hopeless. It challenges us to cultivate a persistent faith like Jairus, believing in Jesus's power even when circumstances seem to contradict it. Furthermore, Jesus's practical command to feed the girl teaches us that divine intervention often works through natural means and that our faith should lead to tangible actions of care. Miracles are not just for awe; they lead to practical living and a call to meet the ongoing, holistic needs of those around us, reflecting God's comprehensive love and provision in our own lives and ministries.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "dead" areas in your life or the lives of those you care about do you need to surrender to Jesus's life-giving authority?**
* **How does Jesus's command to "give her meat" challenge your understanding of God's care, extending beyond the miraculous to the mundane?**
* **In what ways can you, as a follower of Christ, participate in providing "meat" (practical care and support) to those who have experienced a spiritual or physical resurrection in their lives?**

### FAQ
**Was Jairus's daughter truly dead, or was she just in a coma?**

Answer: The biblical account strongly indicates she was truly dead. [Luke 8:49](/luke/8-49 "Luke 8:49 - News of the Girl's Death") explicitly states, "Thy daughter is dead," and the professional mourners and flute players were already present, lamenting her death ([Mark 5:38](/mark/5-38 "Mark 5:38 - Mourners and Flute Players")). Jesus's statement that she was "not dead, but sleepeth" ([Luke 8:52](/luke/8-52 "Luke 8:52 - Jesus Declares the Girl is Sleeping")) was met with laughter, confirming that everyone present believed she was deceased. The return of her "spirit" ([Luke 8:55](/luke/8-55 "Luke 8:55 - Her Spirit Came Again")) further solidifies this, as the spirit is understood as the life-force that departs at death. This was a genuine resurrection, not a revival from a coma.

**Why did Jesus command them to give her food after raising her?**

Answer: Jesus's command to "give her meat" (meaning food) serves several crucial purposes. Firstly, it provides undeniable proof of her complete and physical restoration. She wasn't a ghost or a spirit; she was fully alive, with normal human functions, capable of eating and sustaining herself. This detail dispelled any lingering doubts for the parents and witnesses. Secondly, it demonstrates Jesus's holistic care and practical compassion. Beyond the awe-inspiring miracle, Jesus attends to the immediate, everyday needs of the girl, showing that His concern extends to every aspect of human well-being. It underscores that divine intervention is not just for spiritual spectacle but also for practical, life-affirming sustenance. This echoes Jesus's own actions after His resurrection, where He ate fish to prove His physical reality ([Luke 24:42-43](/luke/24-42-43 "Luke 24:42-43 - Jesus Eats Fish After Resurrection")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 8:55, with its vivid account of a young girl's resurrection, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself, who is declared to be "[the resurrection, and the life](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")". The restoration of Jairus's daughter's spirit foreshadows Christ's own triumph over death, a victory that secures eternal life for all who believe. His command for her spirit to "come again" is a demonstration of the same divine authority that would raise Him from the grave and, through Him, will raise all believers on the last day ([John 5:28-29](/john/5-28-29 "John 5:28-29 - The Resurrection of Life and Condemnation")). The immediate physical restoration, evidenced by her ability to "arise straightway" and consume "meat," points to the bodily nature of Christ's resurrection and the promise of a glorified body for believers ([Philippians 3:21](/philippians/3-21 "Philippians 3:21 - Glorified Bodies")). Ultimately, Jesus's power over death in Luke 8:55 is a tangible preview of His ultimate conquest of the grave, establishing Him as the one who holds "[the keys of hell and of death](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Christ Holds the Keys of Death and Hades")" and through whom the Spirit gives life to even our mortal bodies ([Romans 8:11](/romans/8-11 "Romans 8:11 - The Spirit Giving Life to Mortal Bodies")).

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 11:44

And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

1 Kings 17:21

And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again.

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 5:43

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

Luke 24:41

And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?

Luke 24:43

And he took [it], and did eat before them.