Mark 5:21-43 · Mark

Jairus' Daughter

Jairus, a synagogue ruler, asks Jesus to heal his dying daughter. On the way, Jesus heals a woman with a bleeding issue. Upon arrival, Jesus raises Jairus' daughter from the dead.

Summary

This passage from the Gospel of Mark describes a significant miracle performed by Jesus, highlighting His power over life and death. The story begins as Jesus returns to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, where a large crowd gathers around Him (Mark 5:21). Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, approaches Jesus and falls at His feet, pleading for help. Jairus's daughter is critically ill, and he begs Jesus to come and heal her by laying His hands on her (Mark 5:22-23). Jesus agrees to go with Jairus, and a throng of people follows them.

As they travel, a woman suffering from a twelve-year-long bleeding condition touches Jesus' garment, believing it will heal her. Her faith results in immediate healing, and Jesus notices power leaving Him (Mark 5:29-30). He stops to ask who touched Him, and the woman, fearful yet honest, confesses. Jesus reassures her that her faith has healed her (Mark 5:34). Meanwhile, messengers arrive from Jairus's house, reporting that his daughter has died, suggesting there is no need to trouble Jesus further (Mark 5:35). Jesus, however, tells Jairus to keep believing and continues to the house with Peter, James, and John (Mark 5:36-37).

Upon arrival, they find mourners weeping loudly. Jesus tells them the girl is not dead but asleep, prompting laughter from the crowd (Mark 5:39-40). He clears the room, taking only the girl's parents and His three disciples with Him. Jesus takes the girl by the hand and commands her to rise, saying, "Talitha cumi" (Mark 5:41). Immediately, the twelve-year-old girl stands up and walks around, astonishing everyone present (Mark 5:42). Jesus instructs them to keep the miracle private and asks them to give her something to eat (Mark 5:43). The passage concludes with the girl's revival and the awe of those who witnessed it.

Chiastic structure

ⓘ
A

Mark 5:22-23

“Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, and besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death.”

B

Mark 5:34-36

“Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague... Be not afraid, only believe.”

A'

Mark 5:41-42

“He took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi... And straightway the damsel arose, and walked.”

Both A and A' involve a plea for healing and restoration to life, highlighting faith in Jesus' ability to heal.

Interpretation and theological stakes

The passage about Jairus' daughter in Mark 5:21-43 primarily establishes Jesus' authority over life and death. By raising Jairus' daughter, Jesus affirms the power of faith and His unique ability to conquer even the most final of human experiences death. The narrative emphasizes both the desperation of Jairus and the persistence of faith in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Jesus’ command, "Talitha cumi," and the subsequent revival of the girl (Mark 5:41-42) underscore His divine authority and presence, which is transformative and life-giving.

A Catholic interpretation often sees this passage as a testament to Jesus' divine authority and compassion. The act of raising Jairus' daughter is not only a miracle but also an expression of Jesus’ empathy and care for the suffering. This perspective highlights His willingness to be interrupted on the way to Jairus' house and His reassurance to Jairus to "only believe" (Mark 5:36). These actions reflect a deep compassion for individuals in need, illustrating that His divine power is intertwined with profound love and concern for human suffering. By instructing the girl's parents to feed her after raising her to life, Jesus attends to her immediate physical needs, further emphasizing His compassion and care.

In contrast, a Reformed Protestant reading interprets the miracle as a sign of the coming Kingdom of God and Jesus’ messianic identity. This perspective focuses on the miracle as a demonstration of Jesus’ role in bringing about God’s reign on earth. The narrative emphasizes faith as a response to Jesus' messianic mission. When Jesus tells the crowd that the girl is "not dead but asleep" (Mark 5:39), it points to a broader theological message that Jesus' presence initiates a new order, one where death is not the final word. The astonishment of the witnesses (Mark 5:42) serves as a testament to the breaking in of divine power into the world.

Considering both interpretations, the passage reveals a dual message: the immediate compassion of Jesus for individuals and the broader implication of His miracles as signs of the new Kingdom. Both interpretations underscore faith as a critical response to Jesus’ actions. The Catholic view emphasizes personal compassion, while the Reformed perspective highlights eschatological significance. Together, these readings suggest that Jesus' miracles serve both as intimate acts of grace and as declarations of the transformative power of God’s Kingdom, urging believers to maintain faith amidst life's deepest challenges.

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