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.
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?
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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.