Luke 8:42

For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.

For {G3754} he {G846} had {G2258} one only {G3439} daughter {G2364}, about {G5613} twelve {G1427} years of age {G2094}, and {G2532} she {G3778}{G846} lay a dying {G599}. But {G1161} as {G1722} he {G846} went {G5217} the people {G3793} thronged {G4846} him {G846}.

for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old; and she was dying. As he went, with the crowds on every side virtually choking him,

because his only daughter, who was about twelve, was dying. As Jesus went with him, the crowds pressed around Him,

for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as he went the multitudes thronged him.

Commentary

Luke 8:42 describes the desperate situation of Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, whose only daughter is on the verge of death. It also highlights the overwhelming challenge Jesus faced in responding to this urgent plea: navigating through a massive crowd of people pressing in on him.

Context

This verse is part of a section in Luke's Gospel detailing Jesus' ministry and power. Immediately preceding this verse, Jairus falls at Jesus' feet, begging him to come to his house because his twelve-year-old daughter is dying (Luke 8:41). The events described here are immediately followed by the interruption of the woman with the issue of blood seeking healing in the crowd (Luke 8:43-48), before Jesus finally reaches Jairus' house to raise the daughter from the dead (Luke 8:54-56). This passage is set amidst Jesus' travels and teachings around the Sea of Galilee, where large crowds frequently gathered to hear him and seek healing.

Key Themes

  • Desperate Need: The verse underscores the critical state of the daughter, emphasizing the father's urgency and the gravity of the situation.
  • Faith Seeking Jesus: Jairus' act of coming to Jesus demonstrates faith and belief in His ability to help, even in the face of death.
  • The Challenge of Ministry: The description of the people "thronging" Jesus illustrates the immense demands placed upon Him by the crowds and the difficulty in moving towards a specific need.
  • Human Obstacles: The pressing crowd, while composed of people seeking Jesus, inadvertently becomes an obstacle to reaching the immediate, critical need of Jairus' daughter.

Linguistic Insights

The word translated "thronged" in the King James Version comes from the Greek word synepnigon (συνέπνιγον), which literally means "to press together," "to crowd," or even "to choke" or "to suffocate." This suggests a very dense, almost overwhelming crowd, making it difficult for Jesus to move freely and quickly towards Jairus' home. It paints a vivid picture of the physical pressure exerted by the people surrounding Jesus.

Related Scriptures

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that seeking Jesus often involves navigating through the busyness and demands of life (represented by the "thronging" crowd). It highlights the importance of persistence in faith, even when faced with delays or obstacles in our journey to bring our needs before Him. It also shows Jesus' willingness to attend to individual, desperate needs despite the overwhelming demands of the many. When we face crises, like Jairus, our first impulse should be to seek Jesus, trusting in His power and compassion, even when circumstances seem dire.

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Cross-References

  • Luke 7:12 (3 votes)

    Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.

  • Luke 8:45 (3 votes)

    And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press [thee], and sayest thou, Who touched me?

  • Ezekiel 24:16 (2 votes)

    Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: yet neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down.

  • Job 1:18 (2 votes)

    While he [was] yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters [were] eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:

  • Job 1:19 (2 votes)

    And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

  • Genesis 44:20 (2 votes)

    And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.

  • Genesis 44:22 (2 votes)

    And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for [if] he should leave his father, [his father] would die.