And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.

LUKE 8:55KJV
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Luke 8:55 (KJV)

What does Luke 8:55 mean?

Luke 8:55 describes how the girl's spirit returned to her, she immediately got up, and Jesus told those present to give her something to eat. This verse shows the moment of her restoration to life after having died.

In this scene, Jesus is in the house of Jairus, whose daughter had died. Jesus had just spoken to her, and now Luke records that her "spirit came again," meaning her life was restored. The detail that she got up right away and needed food highlights both the reality of her return to life and her restored physical health.

The Greek behind Luke 8:55

  • πνεῦμα (pneuma, "spirit"): This word often means "breath" or "spirit," and here it refers to the life force returning to the girl, emphasizing that she was truly dead and is now alive again.
  • ἀνέστη (anestē, "arose"): This word means "to rise" or "stand up," underscoring the completeness of her recovery—she did not just revive but was able to get up immediately.
  • παραχρῆμα (parachrēma, "straightway"): This word means "immediately" or "at once," stressing the suddenness and completeness of the miracle.
  • φαγεῖν (phagein, "to eat"): Jesus’ command to give her food shows her restored physical state and reassures everyone that she is truly alive, not just appearing so.

Why Luke 8:55 matters

  • Luke 8:55 makes clear that the girl was genuinely dead, not just unconscious, since her "spirit" had left and then returned.
  • The command to give her food highlights Jesus’ practical care and the reality of her restored life, countering any idea that this was only a spiritual or symbolic event.
  • This verse connects to the broader theme in Luke of Jesus’ authority over life and death, showing his compassion and power in a very tangible way.

Where else these words appear

“commanded” Greek G1299 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 11:1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
  • Acts 18:2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla;(because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.
  • 1 Corinthians 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

“straightway” Greek G3916 · used in 19 verses

  • Matthew 21:19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
  • Luke 8:47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.
  • Acts 5:10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

“again” Greek G1994 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 9:22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
  • Luke 17:4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
  • Acts 16:18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

“meat” Greek G5315 · used in 90 verses

  • Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
  • Luke 6:4 How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?
  • John 18:28 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.