Luke 8:53

Luke 8:53, in plain English

They laughed at Jesus because they knew the girl was dead. Their certainty left no room for hope, but Jesus was about to shatter their certainty.

Why it's here

The laughter of these mourners actually strengthens the miracle. They knew death when they saw it. There was no confusion or wishful thinking. The girl was really, truly dead.

Who's speaking

The mourners respond to Jesus with scornful laughter.

Where it sits in the story

They laughed right in His face. Dead is dead, and they knew it. But their scorn was about to become the backdrop for the most stunning moment any of them had ever witnessed.

The scholarly reading

The mourners kategelōn ('were laughing scornfully') at Jesus, eidotes ('knowing') she was dead. The imperfect tense of kategelaō indicates sustained, derisive laughter. Their certainty of death becomes the foil for Jesus' demonstration of resurrection power.

Language and setting

The professional mourners' confident knowledge that the girl was dead serves as an important detail: there can be no claim that Jesus merely revived someone who was not truly dead. Their scorn sets up the miracle's authenticity.

Voice

Luke narrates the mourners' scornful reaction to Jesus' statement.

Significance

The mourners laughed in Jesus' face, certain in their knowledge that the girl was dead. Their mockery would soon turn to astonishment.

51When He entered the house, He did not allow anyone to go in with Him except Peter, John, James, and the child’s father and mother.

52Meanwhile, everyone was weeping and mourning for her. But Jesus said, “Stop weeping; she is not dead but asleep.”

53And they laughed at Him, knowing that she was dead.

54But Jesus took her by the hand and called out, “Child, get up!”

55Her spirit returned, and at once she got up. And He directed that she be given something to eat.

Read all of Luke 8 — A storm, a legion of demons, a bleeding woman, and a dead girl — Jesus moves through a world of chaos and brings order with a word or a touch.