Jesus as God
Jesus Raises Jairus' Daughter
The explicit return of the girl's spirit emphasizes that Jesus confronts actual death, not merely severe illness.
How this passage contributes to the case:
The labels below identify the kinds of evidence for Jesus' divinity found in this passage.
Select a label for an explanation.
Authority over Life and Death
Divine Authority
Raises the Dead
Gives Life
Exercises Divine Authority
Strength of evidence: Strong.
This passage provides substantial evidence relevant to Jesus' divine identity when read in its literary and historical context.
Scripture
What Was Said or Done
After Jairus' daughter dies, Jesus takes her hand and directly commands, 'Child, arise'; Luke says her spirit returned.
Old Testament Background
Elijah and Elisha raised the dead through dependence upon God, providing important prophetic precedents.
Exposition
Jesus addresses the dead child directly and his word is immediately effective.
Why This Points to His Divinity
The prophetic precedents mean the miracle alone does not prove deity, but Jesus' direct authority over death fits Luke's cumulative divine-identity portrait.
Response of the Hearers
The parents are amazed.