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

LUKE 8:42KJV
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Luke 8:42 (KJV)

What does Luke 8:42 mean?

Luke 8:42 describes how Jesus was on his way to help a man whose only daughter, about twelve years old, was dying, but as he went, a large crowd pressed in around him. The verse highlights both the urgency of the father's need and the overwhelming attention Jesus was receiving from the people.

In this scene, Jesus is responding to Jairus, a synagogue leader, who has pleaded with him to come and heal his gravely ill daughter. The detail that she is his only daughter and about twelve years old adds emotional weight, showing the seriousness of the situation. The mention of the crowd "thronging" Jesus sets up the tension and difficulty of reaching the girl in time, as well as the interruption that follows in the story.

The Greek behind Luke 8:42

  • "Only" (μονογενής, monogenēs): This word means "only" or "unique," emphasizing that the daughter was Jairus's sole child, which heightens the sense of desperation and loss.
  • "Thronged" (συνέπνιγον, synepnigon): This word carries the idea of being pressed in on all sides, almost to the point of being choked or suffocated, showing just how crowded and chaotic the scene was around Jesus.

Why Luke 8:42 matters

  • This verse sets up the urgency and emotional intensity of the story, making it clear why Jairus is so desperate for Jesus's help.
  • The detail about the crowd pressing in on Jesus helps the reader understand the challenges and delays Jesus faces, which become important as the story unfolds.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme in Luke of Jesus being sought out by many people, often in situations of great need, and shows how his compassion is tested in real-life, pressing circumstances.

Where else these words appear

“thronged” Greek G4846 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
  • Mark 4:7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
  • Mark 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

“only” Greek G3439 · used in 9 verses

  • Luke 7:12 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.
  • John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,(and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
  • John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

“daughter” Greek G2364 · used in 28 verses

  • Matthew 9:18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.
  • Mark 5:35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
  • Luke 12:53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

“age” Greek G2094 · used in 48 verses

  • Matthew 9:20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
  • Luke 13:16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
  • Romans 15:23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;