9:23-24 What did Jesus mean when He said, "The maid is not dead, but sleeping"?

9:23-24 What did Jesus mean when He said, “The maid is not dead, but sleeping”?

(cp Mt 9:18-19) This event is also recorded in Mk 5:21-24, 35-43 and Lk 8:40-42, 49-56.

Jesus was not denying that the girl was actually dead. He was simply comparing her dead condition to sleep, because her death, like sleep, as far as Jesus was concerned, was only temporary. He would raise her up from it (cp V25).

Jesus also said Lazarus was only sleeping too before He raised him up from the dead (cp Jn 11:1-4, 11-15, 20-26, 32-44). In both these instances Jesus proved that He had power over death, and many came to believe on Him as a result (cp Mt 9:26; Jn 11:45).

See also comments on Jn 11:33 and Ac 7:60.

9:27-30 See comments on Mt 8:1-4.

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