Timothy Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U. S. Army

As I read the gospel accounts, when Jairus first sought out Jesus, Jairus' daughter was very ill, but not dead. It was only after Jesus agreed to come to Jairus' house, and they had started on their way there, that a messenger came to Jairus informing him that that his daughter had died, and recommending that Jairus therefore not trouble Jesus any further. However, Jesus told Jairus just to continue to have faith (the same faith that had initially motivated Jairus to seek Jesus out). 

After they reached the house, Jesus (knowing what He planned to do) told all the mourners that the girl was not dead, but only sleeping, which caused all the mourners to ridicule Him. Jesus then proceeded to bring her back to life (one of three such occasions mentioned in the gospels -- the others being the son of the widow from Nain (Luke 7:11-17) and Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary from Bethany (John 11:1-44).

October 11 2025 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

Was Jairus’ daughter dead or near death when he came to see Jesus?

Jairus' daughter was near death when he initially approached Jesus, but she died before Jesus arrived at their home. According to the biblical accounts, Jesus told the mourners that she was "asleep," but she was indeed dead, a fact the mourners confirmed by laughing at his statement. 

Luke 8: 49-53: While he was yet speaking, a representative of the presiding officer of the synagogue came, saying: “Your daughter has died; do not bother the Teacher any longer.” 50 On hearing this, Jesus answered him: “Have no fear, only have faith, and she will be saved.” 51 When he reached the house, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, James, and the girl’s father and mother. 52 But people were all weeping and beating themselves in grief for her. So he said: “Stop weeping, for she did not die but is sleeping.” 53 At this they began to laugh at him scornfully, because they knew she had died.

Interestingly, “death” and “sleep” may also be contrasted. Concerning a dead girl, Christ Jesus said: “The little girl did not die, but she is sleeping.” (Mt 9:24; Mr 5:39; Lu 8:52) As he was going to resurrect her from death, Jesus may have meant that the girl had not ceased forever to exist but would be as one awakened from her sleep. 

In the Bible, death is often likened to sleep. (Ps 13:3; Joh 11:11-14; Ac 7:60; 1Co 7:39; 15:51; 1Th 4:13) Jesus was going to bring the girl back to life, so he may have said this because he would demonstrate that just as people can be awakened from a deep sleep, they can be brought back from death. Jesus’ power to resurrect the girl came from his Father, “who makes the dead alive and calls the things that are not as though they are.”​—Ro 4:17.

Conclusion:

The Gospel accounts by Mark and Luke assure us that by the time Jesus reached her, the girl was dead. 

“While he was yet speaking, some men from the home of the presiding officer of the synagogue came and said: ‘Your daughter died! Why bother the teacher any longer?”’ (Mark 5:35; Luke 8:49)

14 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report