Luke 8:55

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

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}.

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

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

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

Luke 8:55 details the miraculous resurrection of Jairus's daughter, a powerful demonstration of Jesus Christ's authority over life and death. Following Jesus's command, "her spirit came again," signifying a true return to life, not merely an awakening from a coma. The girl immediately arose, confirming the instantaneous nature of the divine intervention. The subsequent instruction to "give her meat" (food) highlights Jesus's practical care and the complete restoration of the child, emphasizing her physical reality after the miracle.

Context

This verse concludes the narrative of Jairus's daughter, which begins in Luke 8:41. Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, pleaded with Jesus to heal his dying daughter. While en route, news arrived that the girl had died. Despite the despair and mockery from those present, Jesus declared, "Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole." He entered the house with only Peter, James, and John, and the parents, and performed this profound miracle, echoing His earlier statement that she was merely "sleeping" (Luke 8:52).

Key Themes

  • Jesus's Authority Over Death: The most prominent theme is Jesus's divine power to conquer death, a foretaste of His own resurrection and the ultimate victory over the grave. This miracle stands alongside the raising of the widow of Nain's son and the resurrection of Lazarus as definitive proofs of His life-giving authority.
  • Compassion and Practical Care: Jesus's command to feed the girl demonstrates His holistic concern. The miracle wasn't just for spiritual awe; it addressed the immediate, physical needs of the restored child and her family, showing that God's intervention is often practical and life-affirming. This attention to physical needs is also seen when Jesus ate fish after His own resurrection.
  • Faith Rewarded: Jairus's initial act of faith in seeking Jesus, and his continued belief despite overwhelming odds, was instrumental in witnessing this miracle. It underscores the importance of persistent faith in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "her spirit came again" translates the Greek to pneuma autēs epestrepsen (τὸ πνεῦμα αὐτῆς ἐπέστρεψεν), explicitly stating that her life-force returned, confirming a genuine resurrection and not merely a revival from a coma.
  • "Straightway" comes from the Greek parachrēma (παραχρῆμα), emphasizing the immediacy of the miracle. There was no gradual recovery; life returned instantly.
  • The KJV word "meat" (Greek: phagein, φαγεῖν) simply means "food" or "something to eat." This detail serves as a crucial piece of evidence that the girl was fully and physically alive, capable of normal human functions, and not a ghost or spirit.

Practical Application

Luke 8:55 offers profound lessons for believers today. It assures us of Jesus's ultimate power over all forms of "death"—be it physical, spiritual, or relational. Just as He brought life back to Jairus's daughter, He can bring renewal and restoration to seemingly hopeless situations in our lives. Furthermore, Jesus's practical command to feed the girl reminds us that divine intervention often works through natural means and that our faith should lead to tangible actions of care and support for those in need. It teaches us to not only pray for miracles but also to address the practical needs that follow such divine encounters, reflecting God's comprehensive love and provision.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.
← Back