And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.
LUKE 8:54KJVWhat does Luke 8:54 mean?
Luke 8:54 describes Jesus sending everyone else out of the room, taking the dead girl by the hand, and telling her to get up. This verse shows Jesus acting with authority and compassion as he prepares to bring the girl back to life.
In this scene, Jesus is inside the house of Jairus, whose daughter has just died. Only a few people are allowed to stay with him as he approaches the girl. The verse highlights Jesus’ personal touch—he physically takes her hand and speaks directly to her, showing both his power over death and his gentle care for the child.
The Greek behind Luke 8:54
- The word for "put...out" (ἐκβάλλω, ekballō) is often used for forcefully sending someone away. Here, it suggests Jesus deliberately removed the crowd to create a private, focused setting.
- The word for "took" (κρατέω, krateō) means to grasp firmly or hold tightly. This emphasizes that Jesus did not just touch the girl lightly; he took her hand with intention and strength.
- The word for "maid" (παιδίον, paidion) refers to a young child, highlighting the girl's youth and innocence in this moment.
Why Luke 8:54 matters
- This verse clears up the idea that Jesus performed miracles in front of large crowds for show; instead, he often acted privately and personally.
- The details about Jesus taking her hand and speaking directly to her emphasize his compassion and the physical reality of the miracle.
- Luke 8:54 connects to the larger story by showing Jesus’ authority over death and his willingness to respond to faith, as seen in Jairus’ plea for help.