Luke 8 42

Luke 8:42 kjv

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 nkjv

for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him.

Luke 8:42 niv

because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying. As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him.

Luke 8:42 esv

for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As Jesus went, the people pressed around him.

Luke 8:42 nlt

His only daughter, who was about twelve years old, was dying. As Jesus went with him, he was surrounded by the crowds.

Luke 8 verses

Luke 8 42 Meaning

As Jesus moved towards Jairus' house, a large multitude surrounded and pressed in on Him, hindering His path due to their immense number and eagerness to be near Him. This describes a scene of overwhelming popularity and intense public demand for Jesus' presence.

Luke 8 42 Context

Luke 8:42 is situated within the narrative of two miracles performed by Jesus: the raising of Jairus' daughter and the healing of the woman with a flow of blood. The verse describes Jesus' journey with Jairus to his house after Jairus' desperate plea for his dying daughter. This immediate context highlights the urgency of Jairus' situation and Jesus' compassionate response to it. The "crowds pressed in on Him" establishes the tumultuous setting, illustrating the intense public interest in Jesus that permeated His ministry. Historically, Jesus' movements were often accompanied by large throngs of people eager for healing, teaching, or simply to witness His presence, as direct access to a teacher or healer was common in ancient Galilee. This constant human tide often impeded free movement, yet Jesus typically welcomed or endured such close contact.

Luke 8 42 Word analysis

• καὶ (kai): "And." A simple conjunction, connecting this moment to the preceding action (Jesus going with Jairus). It signifies continuity of narrative.

• ἐν τῷ ὑπάγειν (en tō hypagein): "as He went" or "while He was going." This uses a prepositional phrase with the articular infinitive (τῷ ὑπάγειν), expressing an action that is ongoing or durative in nature. It conveys continuous motion rather than a single event.

  • Significance: Emphasizes that the pressure from the crowds was constant throughout His journey, not just at one point.

• αὐτὸν (auton): "Him." Refers directly to Jesus, indicating Him as the focal point of the crowds' attention and movement.

• συνέπνιγον (synephnigon): "pressed in on Him" or "were crushing Him." This is an imperfect verb from συμπνίγω (sympnigo), which means "to choke," "to stifle," "to throng closely," "to suffocate." The imperfect tense indicates a continuous or repeated action.

  • Significance: The verb choice is strong, denoting not just a dense crowd, but one exerting intense pressure, almost to the point of restriction or even threat. It paints a vivid picture of the physical intensity of the crowd.

• οἱ ὄχλοι (hoi ochloi): "the crowds" or "the multitudes." This refers to large gatherings of common people, indicating a general public following. The plural highlights the sheer number of people present.

  • Significance: Demonstrates Jesus' broad appeal beyond specific social classes and reflects the constant demand for His attention during His ministry.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • καὶ ἐν τῷ ὑπάγειν αὐτὸν: "And as He went": This phrase captures the immediate, active nature of Jesus' journey towards Jairus' house, showing He was on a mission of compassion and healing, even amidst distractions.
  • συνέπνιγον οἱ ὄχλοι: "the crowds pressed in on Him": This group vividly portrays the overwhelming reality of Jesus' ministry. It illustrates His immense popularity and accessibility, but also the physical demands and challenges imposed by constant public demand, setting the stage for how an individual could still break through such a throng.

Luke 8 42 Bonus section

The context of Jesus being "pressed" by the crowds often precedes a significant encounter or teaching. This constant demand for Jesus, while taxing, also allowed for intimate interactions that revealed deeper truths about His person and purpose. The word "συνέπνιγον" can also carry a connotation of hindering or stifling growth (as used in the Parable of the Sower, Lk 8:7, 14, where thorns choke the seed), which provides a subtle contrast: here, the crowd, though pressing, doesn't choke out His ministry, but rather creates an environment for the manifestation of His power and compassion, as seen immediately with the healing of the woman. It speaks to Jesus' divine ability to remain purposeful and attentive despite chaotic external circumstances.

Luke 8 42 Commentary

Luke 8:42 is more than a simple description of Jesus moving through a throng. It vividly portrays the relentless nature of His public ministry and the overwhelming demand placed upon Him. The strong verb "συνέπνιγον" (crushed or choked) underlines the physical intensity of the crowds, indicating that Jesus was not merely walking among people, but was genuinely impeded and encompassed by them. This scene establishes the challenging environment in which Jesus ministered, highlighting His availability and patience amidst overwhelming human need and curiosity. It implicitly emphasizes His power, as the crowd seeks Him out intensely, acknowledging Him as a source of help and hope. This constant public pressure sets the stage for the narrative of the woman with the issue of blood, demonstrating that even within such an unmanageable crowd, faith could connect directly with divine power. Jesus, while pressed, remained accessible, showing that no impediment could prevent a truly desperate and faithful encounter.