Chapter

Luke 8:50

ESV But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.”
NIV Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, 'Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.'
NASB But when Jesus heard this, He responded to him, 'Do not be afraid any longer; only believe, and she will be made well.'
CSB When Jesus heard it, he answered him, "Don't be afraid. Only believe, and she will be saved."
NLT But when Jesus heard what had happened, he said to Jairus, 'Don’t be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed.'
KJV But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

What does Luke 8:50 mean?

Jairus found Jesus shortly after He returned from crossing the Sea of Galilee. Jairus's daughter desperately needs Jesus' healing. But on the way to his house, the synagogue leader finds himself watching Jesus interact with a woman who has touched Jesus' cloak and received healing. Jesus tells the woman, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace" (Luke 8:41–48).

While Jesus is speaking, a messenger from Jairus's house arrives to tell him his daughter has dead; there's no more reason to trouble Jesus for healing (Luke 8:49). Jesus responds with a companion comment to that which He gave the woman: have faith. Jairus has seen Jesus willingly heal a woman with a serious medical issue; Jesus has the power and desire to raise a dead girl. Some time later, Jesus will speak to another father whose son desperately needs rescue. Again, Jesus tells the father to have faith. The father responds, "I believe; help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:23–24).

In their book In Search of a Confident Faith, J. P. Moreland and Klaus Issler divide "faith" into three parts: knowledge, assent, and commitment. The woman with an issue of blood knew Jesus had the power to heal, accepted that understanding, and committed herself to take the steps to receive healing. The father of the possessed boy had strong commitment, but struggled with knowledge and assent. Jairus seems to waver in his commitment although he has shown strong knowledge and assent.

God is gracious with us. He knows we are weak humans and cannot have full and complete faith all the time. The strength of our faith may waver, but Jesus' faithfulness never will.
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