King James Version

What Does Luke 8:52 Mean?

Luke 8:52 in the King James Version says “And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.”

Luke 8:52 · KJV

Context

50

But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

51

And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.

52

And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.

53

And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.

54

And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And all wept, and bewailed her (ἔκλαιον δὲ πάντες καὶ ἐκόπτοντο αὐτήν)—the imperfect tense indicates ongoing weeping and loud lamentation. The verb koptō (bewailed) literally means 'to beat' (the breast in mourning), describing the demonstrative grief displays common in ancient Near Eastern death rituals. But he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth (μὴ κλαίετε· οὐ γὰρ ἀπέθανεν ἀλλὰ καθεύδει)—Jesus's present imperative klaiete commands them to stop their weeping immediately.

The statement she is not dead, but sleepeth doesn't deny biological death (Luke explicitly states in v.55 that 'her spirit came again') but reframes death from the perspective of Jesus's resurrection power. For Christ, death is temporary sleep because he possesses authority to awaken the dead. This anticipates his declaration at Lazarus's tomb: 'Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep' (John 11:11). Paul later uses this same sleep metaphor for believers who have died (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14).

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Historical & Cultural Context

First-century mourning practices were immediate and intense—bodies were buried within 24 hours due to climate, and mourning began instantly upon death. The presence of mourners confirmed the finality of death in the community's eyes, making their ridicule of Jesus (v.53) a public attestation that the girl was genuinely deceased, not merely unconscious or in a coma.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus's reframing of death as 'sleep' transform Christian perspectives on mortality and grief?
  2. In what current 'dead' situations (relationships, ministries, hopes) might you need to hear Jesus say, 'She is not dead, but sleepeth'?
  3. What does this passage teach about the difference between human perspective ('dead') and divine perspective ('sleeping')?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 15 words
κλαίετε1 of 15

“Weep”

G2799

to sob, i.e., wail aloud (whereas 1145 is rather to cry silently)

δὲ2 of 15

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

πάντες3 of 15

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

καὶ4 of 15

“and”

G2532

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

ἐκόπτοντο5 of 15

“bewailed”

G2875

to "chop"; specially, to beat the breast in grief

αὐτήν6 of 15

“her”

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

ὁ7 of 15
G3588

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

δὲ8 of 15

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

εἶπεν9 of 15

“he said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Μὴ10 of 15

“not”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

κλαίετε11 of 15

“Weep”

G2799

to sob, i.e., wail aloud (whereas 1145 is rather to cry silently)

οὐκ12 of 15

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἀπέθανεν13 of 15

“dead”

G599

to die off (literally or figuratively)

ἀλλὰ14 of 15

“but”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

καθεύδει15 of 15

“sleepeth”

G2518

to lie down to rest, i.e., (by implication) to fall asleep (literally or figuratively)

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 8:52 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 8:52 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 23:27John 11:4Exodus 24:172 Samuel 18:33Genesis 23:2John 11:11-13

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