What is the meaning of Luke 8:56? Her parents • Jairus and his wife had just watched Jesus take their dead daughter by the hand and say, “Child, arise” (Luke 8:54; cf. Mark 5:22-24, 40). • Scripture presents them as real, historical parents whose faith brought Jesus into their home (Luke 8:41-42). • Their presence highlights God’s concern for family, echoing promises like Psalm 103:17 and reminding us that parental faith can open doors for divine intervention (Acts 16:31). were astounded • “Astonished out of their minds” captures the moment—an unmistakable, literal resurrection (Luke 7:16; John 11:44). • Awe before God’s power is a proper response (Psalm 66:5). • This amazement verifies the miracle; it wasn’t staged or symbolic, but an event that left eyewitnesses overwhelmed (Luke 5:26). but Jesus ordered them • Jesus immediately exercises authority, guiding the aftermath of His work (Luke 4:41; John 2:4). • His commands are as purposeful as His miracles, revealing that obedience should follow revelation (John 14:15). • By directing the parents, He protects the girl and the mission, showing shepherd-like care (John 10:11). not to tell anyone • Similar instructions appear in Luke 5:14 and Matthew 9:30. Jesus often limited publicity to keep crowds from forcing a political agenda (John 6:15) and to prevent premature confrontation with authorities (Luke 9:21-22). • Silence guarded the girl’s privacy and allowed her to grow up without being exploited as a curiosity (Isaiah 42:2). • The focus remained on faith, not fame; spreading the news could shift attention from the message to the miracle (Matthew 12:16-21). what had happened • “What had happened” refers to the literal raising of a child from death—an undeniable sign that “God has visited His people” (Luke 7:16). • It previews Jesus’ own resurrection, assuring believers that He truly holds “the keys of death and Hades” (Revelation 1:18). • The phrase also underscores eyewitness testimony; Luke’s orderly account (Luke 1:3-4) invites us to trust the historical reliability of gospel events. summary Luke 8:56 shows astonished parents witnessing the literal resurrection of their daughter, then receiving Jesus’ firm instruction to keep the event quiet. Their wonder confirms the miracle’s reality, while His command protects His mission from misguided publicity. The verse teaches that genuine encounters with Christ evoke awe, demand obedience, and ultimately point to His supreme power over death. |
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