Devine Scripture

Matthew 9:24

What does Matthew 9:24 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 9:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 9:24 means

Jesus commands the mourners to leave, declaring, "for the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth." This statement is met with scornful laughter from the crowd, who clearly understood death and saw her as truly deceased. Jesus uses the term "sleepeth" to signify that for Him, death is a temporary state, a rest from which He can awaken. Their laughter underscores their disbelief and limited understanding of His divine power over life and death.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

he said, Give place: for the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

he said, Give place: for the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

He said, Make room; for the girl is not dead, but sleeping. And they were laughing at him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

he saith to them, `Withdraw, for the damsel did not die, but doth sleep,' and they were deriding him;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

He said: Give place, for the girl is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

he said, Withdraw, for the damsel is not dead, but sleeps. And they derided him.

Context

This verse presents Jesus' powerful, yet controversial, statement regarding the deceased daughter, directly challenging the perception of the mourners he found. It immediately follows His arrival at the mourning household. This declaration, met with scorn, is crucial as it highlights the stark contrast between human understanding of death and Jesus' divine perspective and power, setting the stage for the miraculous resurrection.

v.23And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute-players, and the crowd making a tumult,

v.24This passage

v.25But when the crowd was put forth, he entered in, and took her by the hand; and the damsel arose.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Kings 17:18

    And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? thou art come unto me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son!

  • Acts 9:40

    But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning to the body, he said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes; and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

  • John 11:4

    But when Jesus heard it, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified thereby.

  • Acts 20:10

    And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Make ye no ado; for his life is in him.

  • Isaiah 49:7

    Thus saith Jehovah, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers: Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall worship; because of Jehovah that is faithful, even the Holy One of Israel, who hath chosen thee.

  • 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.

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