Mark 5:35-43
Little Girl, Get Up
Read the passage
35While He was still speaking, messengers from the house of Jairus arrived and said, “Your daughter is dead; why bother the Teacher anymore?”
36But Jesus overheard their conversation and said to Jairus, “Do not be afraid; just believe.”
37And He did not allow anyone to accompany Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.
38When they arrived at the house of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw the commotion and the people weeping and wailing loudly.
39He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but asleep.”
40And they laughed at Him. After He had put them all outside, He took the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and went in to see the child.
41Taking her by the hand, Jesus said, “Talitha koum!” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”
42Immediately the girl got up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). And at once they were utterly astounded.
43Then Jesus gave strict orders that no one should know about this, and He told them to give her something to eat.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Jesus is still speaking to the woman when messengers bring Jairus news that his daughter has died. They ask why he should trouble the Teacher any longer. Jesus tells him:
“Do not be afraid; just believe.”
He continues to the house with Peter, James and John. There is loud weeping and wailing. When Jesus says the child is asleep rather than dead, the mourners laugh at Him. His words do not mean the report of death was a mistake. What is final to them is something from which He can raise her.
He takes her parents and His three companions into the room, takes the girl’s hand and speaks. Mark preserves the words Talitha koum and supplies their meaning:
“Little girl, I say to you, get up!”
She immediately gets up and walks. The twelve-year-old child is alive, and those with her are astonished. Jesus tells them not to spread the news and asks that she be given food.
The meal is a small detail beside a mighty act, but it belongs to the same care. The Lord who raises her also attends to her hunger. Jairus has been called to trust someone whose authority reaches beyond what the messengers thought possible. Death has not placed his daughter beyond Jesus’ command.
Questions
1 What does Jesus say when the news of death arrives?
AnswerHe tells Jairus not to fear but to believe. Then He continues toward the house instead of treating the request as pointless.
2 Why do the mourners laugh?
AnswerHis description of the child as sleeping conflicts with their certainty that she is dead. Her rising will show that death is not beyond His authority.
3 What happens when Jesus tells the girl to get up?
AnswerShe rises at once and walks. His command brings life, leaving those present astonished.
4 What does the instruction about food show?
AnswerJesus attends to her ordinary bodily need as well as raising her. Care for someone includes practical details that can be overlooked during an overwhelming event.
What This Means for Us
Jesus’ power over death gives Christian hope its substance. His words to Jairus are spoken by the One who can raise the child, not by someone urging a grieving father to try harder to feel positive.
We should not use this account to blame a bereaved family for lacking faith or promise them the same immediate miracle. We can hold to Christ’s authority while grieving with them. Stay near, listen and remember ordinary needs such as food. Hope in Him makes room for tears and practical care.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You that even death is subject to Your authority. Comfort those who grieve and keep their hope in You. Teach us to offer patient companionship and remember the ordinary needs of hurting people. Amen.