Matthew Chapter 9 · Verse 24
He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
Original Language Analysis
λέγει
He said
G3004
λέγει
He said
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
1 of 13
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 13
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
5 of 13
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
9 of 13
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
καθεύδει
sleepeth
G2518
καθεύδει
sleepeth
Strong's:
G2518
Word #:
10 of 13
to lie down to rest, i.e., (by implication) to fall asleep (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 13
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Acts 20:10And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.Isaiah 49:7Thus saith the LORD, 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 also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.Isaiah 53:3He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.Acts 9:40But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.John 11:4When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
Historical Context
Sleep as metaphor for death appears in Old Testament (Psalm 13:3, Daniel 12:2) but Jesus radicalizes it by demonstrating power to wake the dead. Professional mourners' laughter ('they laughed him to scorn') shows they knew she was genuinely dead—Jesus seemed delusional or callous. In Jewish thought, death was serious, permanent separation (except rare prophetic resurrections). Jesus' casual treatment of death as sleep shocked observers. Early Christian use of 'sleeping' for dead believers (Acts 7:60, 13:36) reflects confidence in resurrection.
Questions for Reflection
- How does viewing death as 'sleep' transform Christian grief and hope?
- What does Jesus' authority to wake the dead reveal about His power and identity?
- How should resurrection hope affect how Christians approach death and dying?
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus makes a shocking statement: 'Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth' (αναχωρειτε ου γαρ απεθανεν το κορασιον αλλα καθευδει). He commands the mourners to leave ('give place') and declares the girl 'sleepeth' (καθευδει) not dead (απεθανεν). Is Jesus saying she's not actually dead? No—Mark and Luke clarify she was truly dead. Rather, Jesus uses 'sleep' as euphemism for death from resurrection perspective. To one with power to raise the dead, death is temporary sleep before waking. This metaphor becomes standard Christian terminology (1 Thessalonians 4:13, 1 Corinthians 15:20). Jesus' statement reflects His authority over death—what others see as permanent tragedy, He sees as brief interruption. The assertion that death is sleep anticipates His resurrection victory, when death becomes defeated enemy, stripped of permanence and terror.