Luke 8:53They were ridiculing him, knowing that she was dead.
The setting
Jairus's house fills with scornful laughter. Professional mourners and neighbors mock Jesus's words about the dead girl merely sleeping.
The emotion here: documenting the stark contrast between human cynicism and divine power
The original word
katagelaō (κατεγέλων) — to laugh down at, scorn with superiority and contempt
Why it matters
Professional mourners were paid to grieve dramatically — their laughter shows how quickly emotions could shift for money
Read with care
What most readers miss in Luke 8:53
The mourners KNEW she was dead because they had examined the body — their mockery came from certainty, not doubt
Common misconceptionPeople assume the mockers were evil. They were actually logical — dead people don't wake up. Their mistake was thinking logic trumps God's power.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Luke 8:53
Bible Genome reading
Luke 8:53 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Luke 8:53 comes from the book of Luke, written during the gospel period. These words are attributed to Luke. The dominant emotion in this verse is angry, with a comfort power of 15% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include mockery, unbelief. Notable phrases: ridiculing him; knowing that she was dead.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same angry
“Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, 'I am strong.'”
— Joel 3:10
“You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!”
— Matthew 23:24
“Listen to this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who tell their husba…”
— Amos 4:1
“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I can't stand your solemn assemblies.”
— Amos 5:21
“Your eyes shall not pity; life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
— Deuteronomy 19:21
Your reflection
What does Luke 8:53 mean to you, today?
A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.
Speak your heart →Get 3 verses for "angry"
Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.