A.T. Robertson Commentary Matthew 9:18

"While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live." — Matthew 9:18 (ASV)

Is even now dead (αρτ ετελευτησεν). Aorist tense with αρτ and so better, "just now died," "just dead" (Moffatt). Mark has it "at the point of death," Luke (Luke 8:42) "lay a dying." It is not always easy even for physicians to tell when actual death has come. Jesus in 9:24 pointedly said, "The damsel is not dead, but sleepeth," meaning that she did not die to stay dead.