Mark 5:35-43

³⁵ While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”

³⁶ As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.”

³⁷ And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.

³⁸ Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly.

³⁹ When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.”

⁴⁰ And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying.

⁴¹ Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”

⁴² Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement.

⁴³ But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.

Also found in Matthew 9:23-26 and Luke 8:49-56.

Why trouble (v.35) — Trouble “is from the verb “to skin, to flay, to vex, to annoy, distress, bother, worry.” … The ruler must have kept close to the Lord Jesus during the incident of the healing of the woman, and while his heart went out to her in her distress, and rejoiced in her healing, yet his heart of hearts was with his daughter who was dying. Now comes the sudden news of her death. — Wuest, page 114.

heard (v.36) = lit. “to hear alongside,” to overhear

do not be afraid; only believe (v.36) — tense is continuous “Stop being afraid. Be believing.” The ruler was to continue believing, even in the face of death.

Peter, James, and John (v.37) — Often chosen to be with the Lord when the other nine apostles were excluded. Maybe, here, only three went because there wasn’t room in the house for more, or perhaps the Lord didn’t want the girl to suddenly find her bed surrounded by a large crowd of strange men.

tumult (v.38) = a noise, uproar

wailed (v.38) — onomatopoetic, to frequently repeat the cry alala, as soldiers sometimes did when joining a battle. These people were no doubt hired mourners.

commotion (v.39) = noise, uproar, tumultuous wailing

not dead (v.39) — not dead to stay dead

ridiculed (v.40) = derided, jeered at. The verb is “laugh” with the added prefix “down.” They laughed Him down. Tense is continuous. They went on jeering.

He had put them out (v.40) — The Lord showed His authority here. The verb means “threw them out.” They were laughing — He kicked them out. Perhaps it was a forceful ejection.

He took (v.40) — The verb “take” is prefixed with “alongside” — He took charge of them, took them under His care.

entered (v.40) — There are several words that convey the idea of “went,” but Mark chose a word that means “going on a journey.” To walk into a room where a girl had just died in the company of one who could heal the dead was a journey. Those with the Lord must have been sad, afraid, alert, hopeful, nervous …

took (v.41) = take hold of, a strong grip

walked (v.42) — tense indicates “kept on walking about.” She had been sick for a time before her death and then, of course, actually dead. Picture the scene as she walked to her mother and father.

The word used was one for a child. Perhaps her age was given to show how it was that she could walk about.

overcome with great amazement (v.42) = out of their senses, in ecstasy

no one should know it (v.43) — Obviously, the mourners who had been kicked out of the house would know the girl was walking about, but they couldn’t know for absolute certainty that she had been dead. The Lord didn’t want them to have any more information.

eat (v.43) — The girl had been sick and probably hadn’t eaten for a long time. She was no doubt hungry. The fact, along with her walking, proved that her healing was genuine and complete. While everyone was likely thrilled with her recovery, the Lord was concerned with her comfort. I wonder if she knew she had actually been dead.