Introduction
Among the most powerful miracles recorded in the Gospels are the moments when Jesus raised people from the dead. These events go beyond healing sickness or casting out demons. They demonstrate that the authority of Jesus extends even over death itself.
In the ancient world, death was understood as the final and irreversible boundary of human life. Yet in several moments recorded in the Gospels, Jesus confronted that boundary directly. In each case, the result was the same: life returned where death had already taken hold.
A young girl was raised from her bed. A widow’s son was restored as he was being carried to burial. And in one of the most dramatic moments in the Gospels, a man who had been dead for four days walked out of his tomb at the command of Jesus.
These events were not merely displays of power. They revealed something deeper about who Jesus is. The one who spoke life into the world at creation stood among the people, demonstrating that death itself was subject to His authority.
The following passages record these extraordinary moments.
Raising Jairus’ Daughter
Jairus’ Daughter Raised
Mark 5:35–43 (KJV)
Also recorded in: Matthew 9:18–26; Luke 8:40–56
While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.
And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
And they laughed him to scorn.
But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.
And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years.
And they were astonished with a great astonishment.
Raising the Widow’s Son
The Widow’s Son at Nain
Luke 7:11–17 (KJV)
And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.
Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still.
And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak.
And he delivered him to his mother.
And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.
And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.
Lazarus Raised from the Dead
Lazarus Raised
John 11:1–46 (KJV)
Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
When 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.
Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
Jesus said, Take ye away the stone.
Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid.
And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin.
Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
Closing Reflection
The raising of the dead stands among the most powerful signs recorded in the Gospels. In these moments, Jesus demonstrated authority over the final and ultimate enemy of humanity—death itself.
When Jairus’ daughter died, Jesus took her by the hand and spoke life back into her body. When the widow of Nain followed the funeral procession of her only son, Jesus stopped the procession and restored the young man to life. And when Lazarus had been dead for four days, Jesus called him out of the grave with a command that death itself could not resist.
These miracles reveal more than compassion and power. They reveal identity. When Jesus declared, “I am the resurrection, and the life,” He was not speaking metaphorically. The events that followed showed that life itself responds to His voice.
For those who witnessed these moments, the message was unmistakable: the authority of Jesus extends beyond sickness, beyond demons, and even beyond the grave.
In the next article, we will examine another category of supernatural events in the Gospels—moments when Jesus revealed knowledge of hidden things and spoke prophetic words about the future.
Next in the series:
Supernatural Knowledge and Prophecy (KJV)
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