King James Version

What Does Luke 8:42 Mean?

Luke 8:42 in the King James Version says “For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.”

Luke 8:42 · KJV

Context

40

And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.

41

And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:

42

For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.

43

And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years , which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,

44

Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him. The phrase "one only daughter" (thygatēr monogenēs, θυγάτηρ μονογενής) uses the same term monogenēs applied to Jesus as God's "only begotten" Son (John 3:16). This beloved, precious, irreplaceable child—approximately twelve years old (hōs etōn dōdeka, ὡς ἐτῶν δώδεκα)—was dying. The imperfect verb apethnēsken (ἀπέθνῃσκεν, "was dying") indicates she was in the process of death, at death's threshold, moments from final breath.

The detail "twelve years" creates a deliberate parallel with the hemorrhaging woman (v. 43) who suffered twelve years with her affliction. As Jairus' daughter entered womanhood, the unnamed woman endured social death through ritual uncleanness. Both cases demonstrate Jesus' power over chronic suffering and acute crisis, over slow death and imminent death. The number twelve may also evoke Israel's twelve tribes, suggesting Jesus comes to heal God's covenant people.

"But as he went the people thronged him" (en de tō hupagein auton sunepnigon auton hoi ochloi, ἐν δὲ τῷ ὑπάγειν αὐτὸν συνέπνιγον αὐτὸν οἱ ὄχλοι) introduces tension. The verb sunepnigon (συνέπνιγον, "thronged/pressed/choked") appears in the parable of the sower (v. 14) where thorns "choke" growing seed. The pressing crowd creates urgency—every moment delayed brings Jairus' daughter closer to death. Yet Jesus will pause for the hemorrhaging woman, testing Jairus' faith and revealing that no interruption, no delay, exceeds Christ's sovereign control.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In Jewish culture, daughters were cherished though sons held higher social value as heirs and lineage carriers. An "only daughter" would be especially precious, representing the family's future through marriage alliances and grandchildren. At twelve years old, she was approaching marriageable age (Jewish girls typically married between twelve and fourteen). Her death would devastate not only her parents emotionally but also eliminate prospects for family expansion and social connections through marriage.

The detail that crowds "thronged" Jesus illustrates His immense popularity in Galilee at this ministry stage. Multitudes followed Him everywhere, making private movement virtually impossible. For Jairus, every second counted—his daughter was actively dying. The crowd's press would seem an intolerable delay. Yet Jesus' subsequent pause to address the hemorrhaging woman (vv. 43-48) would test Jairus beyond human endurance, requiring faith that Jesus' timing is perfect even when it seems disastrous.

This narrative's structure—one healing interrupting another—demonstrates Luke's literary artistry and theological depth. The intertwining stories reveal Jesus' compassion for both prominent men and marginalized women, His power over both chronic conditions and acute crises, and His sovereign control over timing despite apparent urgency.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the description of the daughter as 'only' and 'twelve years old' deepen our understanding of Jairus' desperation and faith?
  2. What does Jesus' willingness to pause for the hemorrhaging woman while Jairus' daughter is dying teach about His priorities and sovereign timing?
  3. How should we respond when God's timing in answering our desperate prayers seems dangerously slow?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 20 words
ὅτι1 of 20

“For”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

θυγάτηρ2 of 20

“daughter”

G2364

a female child, or (by hebraism) descendant (or inhabitant)

μονογενὴς3 of 20

“one only”

G3439

only-born, i.e., sole

ἦν4 of 20

“he had”

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

αὐτόν5 of 20

“he”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὡς6 of 20

“about”

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

ἐτῶν7 of 20

“years of age”

G2094

a year

δώδεκα8 of 20

“twelve”

G1427

two and ten, i.e., a dozen

καὶ9 of 20

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

αὐτόν10 of 20

“he”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἀπέθνῃσκεν11 of 20

“lay a dying”

G599

to die off (literally or figuratively)

Ἐν12 of 20

“as”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

δὲ13 of 20

“But”

G1161

but, and, etc

τῷ14 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὑπάγειν15 of 20

“went”

G5217

to lead (oneself) under, i.e., withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively

αὐτόν16 of 20

“he”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

οἱ17 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὄχλοι18 of 20

“the people”

G3793

a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot

συνέπνιγον19 of 20

“thronged”

G4846

to strangle completely, i.e., (literally) to drown, or (figuratively) to crowd

αὐτόν20 of 20

“he”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 8:42 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 8:42 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 7:12Luke 8:45Romans 5:12Mark 5:24Job 4:20Psalms 90:5-8

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