Luke 8:53
What does Luke 8:53 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 8:53 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 8:53 means
Luke 8:53 records that those present laughed him to scorn, knowing she was dead. Their mockery shows hardened unbelief and legalistic rationality; they cannot imagine resurrection and ridicule Jesus’ hope. This derisive reaction contrasts sharply with the faith of Jairus and the woman who touched Jesus. The verse underscores the social opposition Jesus often met: people who refuse to perceive God at work because their worldview excludes miracles. Their scorn sets the scene for a decisive, unmistakable demonstration of Jesus’ authority.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they were laughing at him, being certain that she was dead.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and they were deriding him, knowing that she did die;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And they derided him, knowing that she had died.
Context
Following Jesus’ assertion that the child slept, the mourners’ scorn highlights the polarization surrounding Jesus. Their disbelief increases narrative tension and accentuates the authority of the impending miracle. The chapter will now present the raising of the girl as a refutation of skepticism and a confirmation of Jesus’ power over death.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Job 17:2
Surely there are mockers with me, And mine eye dwelleth upon their provocation.
- Job 12:4
I am as one that is a laughing-stock to his neighbor, I who called upon God, and he answered: The just, the perfect man is a laughing-stock.
- Isaiah 53:3
He was despised, and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and as one from whom men hide their face he was despised; and we esteemed him not.
- Luke 16:14
And the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things; and they scoffed at him.
- John 19:33
but when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
- Mark 15:44
And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.
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