While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.

LUKE 8:49KJV
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Luke 8:49 (KJV)

What does Luke 8:49 mean?

Luke 8:49 describes a moment when someone from the house of the synagogue ruler comes to tell him that his daughter has died and advises him not to bother Jesus any further. The verse shows the arrival of devastating news and the assumption that nothing more can be done.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking with others when a messenger arrives from the home of Jairus, the synagogue leader. The messenger tells Jairus, “Your daughter is dead; trouble not the Master,” meaning he believes Jesus’ help is no longer needed. This sets up a dramatic contrast between human despair and what Jesus is about to do, highlighting the hopelessness people felt in the face of death.

The Greek behind Luke 8:49

  • “Master” (διδάσκαλε, didaskale): This word means “teacher.” The messenger refers to Jesus respectfully, recognizing his authority, but still sees him mainly as a teacher, not necessarily as someone with power over death.
  • “Trouble” (σκύλλω, skyllō): This verb means to bother or to trouble. The messenger is essentially saying, “Don’t disturb Jesus any further,” showing he thinks the situation is now beyond help.
  • “Dead” (ἀποθνῄσκω, apothnēskō): This word means to die or be dead. The messenger’s statement is final—he believes the girl’s death is irreversible.

Why Luke 8:49 matters

  • Luke 8:49 highlights the limits of human hope and expectation, setting the stage for Jesus to demonstrate power beyond what people believe is possible.
  • The verse connects directly to the larger story, where Jesus goes on to raise Jairus’s daughter, showing that even death is not a barrier for him.
  • The messenger’s words reveal a common attitude: that once death has occurred, even the greatest teacher is powerless, which makes Jesus’ following actions all the more striking.

Where else these words appear

“trouble” Greek G4660 · used in 3 verses

  • 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 7:6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:

“synagogue's” Greek G752 · used in 9 verses

  • Mark 5:22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
  • Mark 5:36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
  • Acts 13:15 And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.

“dead” Greek G2348 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 2:20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.
  • John 11:39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
  • John 19:33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

“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.