Luke 8:50 (KJV)

What does Luke 8:50 mean?

Luke 8:50 shows Jesus telling a man not to be afraid but to trust him, promising that if he believes, his daughter will be healed. Jesus responds to the news of the girl's death by urging the father to focus on faith rather than fear.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to Jairus, a synagogue leader whose daughter is gravely ill and has just been reported dead. Instead of accepting the hopelessness of the situation, Jesus encourages Jairus to "Fear not: believe only," highlighting the importance of trust in him even when circumstances seem impossible. The verse sets up the miracle that follows, where Jesus raises the girl back to life.

The Greek behind Luke 8:50

• "Fear" (φοβοῦ, phobou): This Greek word often means to be frightened or intimidated. Here, Jesus is gently telling Jairus not to let fear control him, even in the face of devastating news.
• "Believe" (πίστευσον, pisteuson): This word means to trust or have faith. Jesus is calling Jairus to actively place his confidence in him, not just to accept facts as they appear.
• "Only" (μόνον, monon): The Greek here singles out belief as the one thing needed, emphasizing that faith is the focus, not any other action or feeling.
• "Whole" (σωθήσεται, sōthēsetai): This word can mean to be saved, healed, or made well. In this context, it refers to the girl's restoration to life and health, showing that Jesus’ promise covers both physical and spiritual rescue.

Why Luke 8:50 matters

• Luke 8:50 clarifies that Jesus sees faith as the key response, even when hope seems lost, challenging the natural reaction to give in to fear.
• The verse highlights Jesus’ authority over life and death, connecting to the larger theme in Luke of Jesus’ power to heal and restore.
• By focusing on Jairus’s personal response, the verse invites readers to notice the tension between fear and faith in moments of crisis, a theme that runs through the surrounding stories in this chapter.