Mark 5:35-43 35While he was still speaking, they came from the synagogue ruler’s house saying, “Your daughter is dead. Why still both the Teacher?” 36But when Jesus heard the word which they had spoken, he said to the synagogue ruler, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37And he did not permit anyone to follow along with him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38They came to the house of the synagogue ruler, and he saw a commotion an much weeping and wailing. 39And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40And they laughed at him. But he sent them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41And after taking hold of the girl by the hand, he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42And immediately the girl got up and began walking, for she was twelve years of age, and they were immediately totally amazement. 43And he strictly commanded them that no one should know this, and he told them to give her something to eat.
The interruption of the bleeding woman caused a delay that must have severely tested the faith of Jairus and heightens the drama and suspense in the two stories. The report in verse 35 is something no father wants to hear: Your daughter is dead. The situation had become hopeless with these words. The assumed logic of the people who brought the message is that the teacher could heal a sickness, but now it was too late because death always has the final word. Mark emphasizes Jairus’ position as the Jewish leader of the community. Everyone knew him and his family. The death of his daughter would have made big news in town.
Jesus’ words to Jairus are some of the loudest of the whole Bible and are repeated in many forms: do not fear, only believe. Fear cripples and steals our hope. Jairus’ fear that he could not reach Jesus in time had come true. The worry that had started because of the fear now had exploded into sorrow and grief. Jesus’ answer to the situation was faith. Faith is the spark that starts the growth of hope and renewal. But this situation seemed hopeless because of the finality of death. Jesus chose Peter, James, and John to go with him. These three men were key leaders and experienced special revelation and times of mentoring by Jesus. With such revelation came responsibility that would be lived out in the early years of the church. The mention of the loud crying in verse 38 amplifies the sadness and hopelessness of the situation.
Jesus’ statement in verse 39 about the girl only sleeping and dead should be taken as a euphemism or figure of speech because she really was dead from a human perspective. From God’s perspective, death is only temporary. The use of this word is similar to how Paul speaks of those who have fallen asleep (died) in Christ in 1 Thessalonians 4:14-15. It adds intensity to the story and highlights the significance of the miracle that was about to take place. The mourners who had gathered laughed at Jesus because they had seen death before. The girl was not in a coma but surely dead. Jesus wanted the girl’s parents and his close disciples to witness the miracle. Their faith needed to grow through this experience.
Mark records in verse 41 some of the few Aramaic words Jesus speaks in the Gospels and provides the translation. The words return life to the girl. Mark’s favorite word immediately is used twice. The confirmation of the miracle is demonstrated by how she immediately got up and began walking around, and how the gathered group was immediately amazed.
Jesus showed further compassion by commanding that the girl be given something to eat. That Mark records her age as twelve further links this story with the woman who had been bleeding for twelve years. Both women were ceremonially unclean according to the law, and both found full restoration to health and community. Jesus’ command to secrecy points to a lack of faith and understanding of him. The revelation of him as Messiah and Son of God was dawning on the disciples and those who witnesses the miracles. The story sets the stage for Jesus’ own resurrection later on. The scoffing crowd waiting outside the door is like the scoffing crowd at the cross. These two stories show that Jesus was never in too much of a hurry for people. The interruptions in our lives may be opportunity for our faith to grow.
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