Luke 8:53Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

When the Lord declared that the girl was not deceased but merely sleeping, referring to death as sleep (intending to awaken her as one might rouse someone from slumber), those present responded with ridicule, seeing that He allowed the miracle to transcend mere marvel, thereby eliminating any claim that the girl had not truly died but had simply been in a state of sleep. He orchestrated this to silence those who would seek to defame Him, knowing full well the stark reality of her death was undeniable, leading them to mock His assertion that she was not dead, but asleep.

Why is this so? It is so that, after mocking Him, they could clearly see that the girl had indeed passed away. There will undeniably be those who consistently resist His splendor, who will reject the divine act and claim that the girl was merely asleep, suggesting there was nothing remarkable about her healing. Thus, to ensure that many acknowledged her death, He referred to her state as one of sleep.

Anyone lacking faith is ridiculed. Let those who believe themselves to be dead grieve for what is lost! Where belief in the resurrection exists, one perceives not death but a state of rest. Matthew states that in the home of the synagogue leader, there were many musicians and a loud crowd present; flute players were likely summoned to evoke mourning, as their somber melodies contrasted with the joy found in spiritual revelation, which could not thrive amidst the bleakness of the law and its literal interpretation.

they mourned and struck their breasts. All of these matters are elaborated in that chapter. The phrase ‘struck their breasts about her’ conveys the idea that they lamented her loss.

The Gospel of Matthew recounts that in Jairus's home, there were both women mourning and a large crowd lamenting the passing of the young girl. This indicates that the Jewish tradition involved not only mourning the deceased but also performing songs of grief, as seen in Amos 5:16. Nonetheless, the collective assembly wept and grieved. When Jesus proclaimed that the girl had merely fallen asleep, it could be interpreted in two ways: either because He was about to awaken her from her slumber, or to prompt an acknowledgment from those present that she was indeed dead, thereby ensuring that after her resurrection, they could not dispute the reality of her death and miraculous return to life.

As soon as the Lord finished speaking, word reached Jairus that his daughter had passed away. Jesus reassured him, saying, “Do not fear, but have faith that I can restore her.” Upon arriving at the home, He found a scene filled with turmoil. Such a sight could be a threat to one's faith. The Lord told them that the girl was not dead but merely sleeping, which caused them to mock Him. He then sent everyone outside, and when He was alone with the girl’s parents and a few of His disciples, He took her by the hand and called out, “Little girl, arise.” The girl rose from the dead, and her astonished parents received a directive to keep the matter private. This instruction was due to the potential backlash from the Pharisees and the reckless behavior of the crowd.

In Jewish tradition, it was commonplace for the family of the deceased not only to grieve their own loss but also to engage professional mourners, sometimes accompanied by the sound of musical instruments. Consequently, in the home where the departed lay, especially among wealthier families, there would be wailing, cries of anguish, and sorrowful melodies, often played on flutes. When Jesus arrived at Jairus' house, He encountered the musicians and the chaotic crowd (Matthew 9:23), all expressing deep sorrow and lamentation. Since it is only the dead who are mourned, and Jairus' daughter was poised to be resurrected, there was no need for mourning.

Upon arriving at His residence, they encountered a tumult of hired mourners and professional wailers, who, with their insincere outcries and raucous lamentations, only mocked the genuine silence of heartfelt grief and the solemnity of death. The empty moans of these individuals offended Christ’s spirit; after initially halting the crowd at the entrance to prevent their intrusion, He entered the dwelling accompanied by only three of His most trusted disciples: Peter, James, and John. Inside, He demanded that the pointless lamentations cease, but when He proclaimed that the girl was merely asleep and not deceased, His statement was met with scornful laughter. In response to such derision, He cast out the hired mourners in righteous anger.

The Lord's return from the region of the Gerasenes, Jairus' plea for help, the restoration of the woman with the issue of blood, and the resurrection of Jairus' daughter is recounted. Luke's narrative closely parallels that of Mark (Mark 5:21-43). Meanwhile, Matthew offers a more concise account, though the essence remains quite aligned (Matthew 9:18-26). For further clarification, please refer to the noted passages. In the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, the phrase "The people received Him" signifies a reception filled with joy and affection.

The restoration of the woman suffering from hemorrhages served to uplift Jairus and bolster his faith in the Lord's omnipotence. While Jesus was offering His final words of reassurance to her, messengers arrived from the synagogue ruler's home bearing the sorrowful news: Your daughter has passed away; what further need is there for the Teacher? “Christ desired them to be certain of the girl's death, ensuring that they could not later doubt her resurrection” (St John Chrysostom). Upon hearing of the girl's demise, the Lord addressed her father, saying: “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be made whole” (St. Athanasius of Alexandria).