Luke 8:51 kjv

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.

Luke 8:51 nkjv

When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl.

Luke 8:51 niv

When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child's father and mother.

Luke 8:51 esv

And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child.

Luke 8:51 nlt

When they arrived at the house, Jesus wouldn't let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, James, and the little girl's father and mother.

Luke 8 verses

Luke 8 51 Meaning

This verse describes Jesus' deliberate selection of who would be present for the raising of Jairus's daughter. Upon entering the house, Jesus permitted only His core inner circle of three disciples—Peter, James, and John—along with the maiden's parents to remain, excluding all others. This action highlights a focused and private demonstration of divine power over death, witnessed by a select few.

Luke 8 51 Context

Luke chapter 8 illustrates Jesus' multifaceted ministry, showcasing His power over nature, evil spirits, disease, and ultimately, death. This specific verse, 8:51, is part of the account where Jesus is called to heal Jairus's daughter. Before reaching Jairus's house, Jesus heals a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years, an event intertwined as a testament to faith and divine power. News then arrives that Jairus's daughter has died. The house is already filled with mourners, according to Jewish custom, who mock Jesus' claim that the child is merely sleeping. Against this backdrop of disbelief and defilement associated with death, Jesus asserts His authority by limiting the number of witnesses to His impending act, choosing privacy for this sacred moment of restoring life. The broader context highlights Jesus as the ultimate Lord over all creation, demonstrating His divine nature through unparalleled miracles.

Luke 8 51 Word analysis

• And when he came into the house: Signifies Jesus' physical entry, establishing the specific location of the impending miracle, a private residence rather than a public space. This shift from the public throng (Lk 8:42-43) to an intimate setting is crucial for understanding the selective witnessing of the event.
• he suffered no man to go in: Greek: "οὐδένα ἀφῆκεν εἰσελθεῖν" (oudēna aphēken eiselthein).
  • "οὐδένα" (oudēna): "no one," emphasizes strict prohibition.
  • "ἀφῆκεν" (aphēken): Aorist active indicative of ἀφίημι (aphiēmi), meaning "to let go," "permit," or "allow." This signifies Jesus' deliberate and active control over who would be privy to the event, exercising His authority. The exclusion underscores a strategic choice to avoid public spectacle and maintain an atmosphere conducive to faith, especially considering the mocking mourners.
• save: Greek: "εἰ μή" (ei mē), an exceptive conjunction meaning "except" or "but only." It explicitly sets apart the allowed individuals from the general prohibition, indicating a very specific, limited group of witnesses.
• Peter: Greek: "Πέτρον" (Petron). One of Jesus' twelve apostles, distinguished as a primary spokesman and a foundational figure in the early church. His name means "rock."
• James: Greek: "Ἰάκωβον" (Iakōbon). Son of Zebedee, brother of John. He and John were called "Sons of Thunder." He was the first apostle to be martyred.
• John: Greek: "Ἰωάννην" (Iōannēn). Son of Zebedee, brother of James, known as "the beloved disciple." He later wrote the Gospel of John, several epistles, and Revelation.
• and the father and the mother of the maiden: Greek: "καὶ τὸν πατέρα καὶ τὴν μητέρα τῆς παιδός" (kai ton patera kai tēn mētera tēs paidos). These are Jairus and his wife, the natural parents of the child. Their presence is indispensable, not only as direct beneficiaries of the miracle but also as immediate witnesses of their daughter's resurrection and reintegration into their family. Their initial faith (Jairus's plea to Jesus) led to this moment.

Words-group analysis:

• "he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John": This phrase highlights Jesus' intentional decision to limit the audience. This group of three—Peter, James, and John—formed an inner circle among the apostles who were uniquely privileged to witness several of Jesus' most significant and intimate moments (e.g., the Transfiguration, the anguish in Gethsemane, and here, a powerful demonstration of resurrection power). Their witnessing served to deepen their understanding of Christ's identity and power, preparing them for future leadership roles as testimonies of His divine authority over life and death.
• "and the father and the mother of the maiden": Including the parents alongside the selected disciples underscores the private and familial nature of this particular miracle. While a public display of power often accompanied Jesus' ministry, this act of raising a dead child was designed to be a deeply personal restoration for the family, with witnesses who were either directly affected by the outcome or specifically chosen for unique spiritual insight. The parents represent the family unit receiving back their child by divine intervention, validating their initial faith in Jesus.

Luke 8 51 Bonus section

• The selection of Peter, James, and John by Jesus suggests a tiered approach to discipleship or revelation, where certain truths or experiences were reserved for those deemed ready for deeper intimacy and responsibility. This preparation would prove crucial for their roles in founding and leading the early church.
• The contrasting reactions (the mocking of the professional mourners vs. the awe of the select few) emphasize the discernment needed to recognize divine truth. Jesus' actions silenced the disbelief and mockery, allowing for the miracle to occur in an environment of burgeoning faith.
• Jesus entering the house, traditionally a place of defilement due to death, and bringing life to it, highlights His purity and authority that transcends ritualistic defilement. His presence cleansed and transformed the space from mourning to joy.
• This miracle of raising Jairus's daughter stands as a powerful testament to Jesus' authority over life itself, preceding His own resurrection and providing hope for all who trust in His life-giving power.

Luke 8 51 Commentary

Luke 8:51 encapsulates a profound aspect of Jesus' ministry: the balance between public proclamation and private revelation. By restricting access to Jairus's home to His closest disciples and the child's parents, Jesus demonstrated His sovereignty and strategic control over divine manifestations. This wasn't merely about privacy, but about a targeted witness for a core group of individuals. The exclusion of the noisy, disbelieving crowd protected the sacredness of the moment and underscored that true power operates not for spectacle, but for faith. The "inner circle" of Peter, James, and John, repeatedly chosen for intimate moments with Christ, were being meticulously prepared to comprehend the deepest mysteries of the Kingdom, including Jesus' ultimate power over death, foreshadowing His own resurrection. For the parents, witnessing this intimate act solidified their faith and returned their daughter to life in a way that reinforced the intensely personal nature of God's redemptive work within families. This highlights that while God's power is universal, its manifestations are often tailored for specific purposes and specific witnesses.