Keraia
Mark 5

Mark 5:39

The Healing Touch of Jesus · Mark 5:21–43
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Translations

Modern
He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but asleep.”
Traditional
And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
Literal
And having entered, He says to them, “Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child did not die, but sleeps.”
Latin
Et ingressus, ait illis: Quid turbamini, et ploratis? puella non est mortua, sed dormit.

Interlinear

Greek
English
He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but asleep.”

Notes

Mark 5:39

Sleep is a metaphor for death (John 11:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–15). The child is not dead because Jesus will resurrect her. She is only asleep and will soon "wake up" and continue her life. The same Greek word translated here as asleep refers to death in Matthew 27:52; Acts 7:60; 13:36; 1 Corinthians 15:6, 18, 20, 51; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–15.

Mark 5:35–43

Since Jairus had left home, his daughter had died. Jesus reassured Jairus that, despite the death of his daughter and the seeming hopelessness of the situation, Jairus should not be afraid but have faith in Jesus.

Mark 5:21–43

Two healing miracles are connected by the need for faith (5:34, 36). The story of Jairus’s daughter begins, then the account of the woman with constant bleeding comes in the middle (5:25–34), and then the story of Jairus’s daughter continues. This pattern places the two stories together and connects them (see Mark Book Introduction, “Literary Features”). During the delay caused by the woman’s healing, Jairus’s daughter died (5:35–43).

Mark 4:35–5:43

The three miracle stories in this section are connected by:

  • a shared location (the Sea of Galilee),

  • the presence of the disciples,

  • the use of a boat, and

  • a common theme, "Who is this" (4:41).

Theme notes and profiles

Elisha

Events

Parallels

Matthew 9:18–26 Luke 8:40–56

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Heal, Healing Jairus Mark, Gospel of Miracle Mourning Resurrection Ruler of the Synagogue Transfiguration

Topics

Children: Death of, As a Judgment Upon Parents by Jesus Jairus: Daughter of, Restored to Life Jesus, the Christ: Miracles of Raises Jairus' Daughter Jesus, the Christ: Raises to Life the Daughter of Jairus Miracles of Jesus, in Chronological Order: Raises the Daughter of Jairus from the Dead Sleep: A Symbol of Death Woman: Young: Called Damsels