2 Kings 13:21 Meaning and Explanation
“And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A dead man is hastily thrown into Elisha's tomb while it is being raided; upon touching Elisha's bones, the man revives and stands up alive.
The Context of 2 Kings 13:21
This is the only instance in Scripture of resurrection through contact with a holy man's remains. It occurs after Elisha's death, during a Moabite raid when people are burying the dead in haste. The miracle proves that Elisha's authority over death persisted even after his own death.
What Does 2 Kings 13:21 Mean?
The scene is one of chaos and fear. Raiders are coming, and in the urgency to protect a body from desecration, people cast the corpse into Elisha's tomb. But as the dead man touches the bones of the prophet, something extraordinary happens: life returns. The stiffened limbs relax. The eyes open. The man stands on his feet. This is not myth or legend but testimony preserved in the historical record, a sign that the man who defeated death in life also defeated death in death. His bones carry the power of resurrection because they are the bones of one who lived in complete communion with the God of life.
This moment points toward the gospel's deepest truth: that death has no dominion over those who belong to God. It foreshadows Jesus's resurrection and the promise that all who touch Him, even in faith alone, will be raised to eternal life. The power is not in the bones themselves but in the God whose prophet they were.
2 Kings 13:21 in the Original Language
qevarah (קברה), 'sepulchre' or 'tomb' -- the place where the dead are laid to rest, yet here it becomes a place of life
How to Apply 2 Kings 13:21 Today
Know that the God we serve has authority over death itself. When you face loss or fear the grave, remember that the touch of Christ brings resurrection. Your faith in Him is more powerful than any force of death or decay.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Kings 13:21
What does 2 Kings 13:21 mean?
A dead man is hastily thrown into Elisha's tomb while it is being raided; upon touching Elisha's bones, the man revives and stands up alive.
What is the context of 2 Kings 13:21?
This is the only instance in Scripture of resurrection through contact with a holy man's remains. It occurs after Elisha's death, during a Moabite raid when people are burying the dead in haste. The miracle proves that Elisha's authority over death persisted even after his own death.
How can I apply 2 Kings 13:21 today?
Know that the God we serve has authority over death itself. When you face loss or fear the grave, remember that the touch of Christ brings resurrection. Your faith in Him is more powerful than any force of death or decay.