Mark 5:42, commentary and pictures

Mark 5:42 records Jesus restoring to life the twelve-year-old daughter of Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, who had been given up to die and had died while He was on the way to her home. At His command her breath and life at once returned, and she immediately arose and walked, free from disease though still weak from her long illness, to the joy of her parents and the great astonishment of all who saw her alive. The raising confirmed His word to Jairus to believe and not fear, proving His power over death and giving hope to the sick. Like the son of the widow of Nain and Lazarus, she was restored to mortal life and remained subject to death and decay, unlike those who came forth at Christ's own resurrection clothed with immortality nevermore to die. The same Christ who raised the dead then heals the sick now through the ministry of His servants, and His care in telling her parents to give her food shows His divine-human attention to the smallest practical needs and teaches careful attention to the little things of life.

Setting and Miracle

This is Mark's account of Jairus' daughter, told also in Matthew 9:18-31 and Luke 8:41-55. It belongs to Jesus' ministry around Galilee, where Capernaum was a scene of His remarkable works, including raising the dead. Jesus had just returned from healing the demoniacs at Gadara when Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, fell at His feet and greatly begged Him to come and lay hands on his little daughter lying at the point of death so she might be healed and live. The father was in great distress because the child had been given up to die by the most learned physicians. Jesus at once went with him to his home, to the surprise of the disciples at ready compliance with the request of a haughty ruler.

Though the distance was short, progress was very slow because the people pressed on every side eager to see the great Teacher and beg His attention and aid. The anxious father pushed through fearful of being too late, while Jesus pitied the people and stopped to minister to their spiritual darkness and physical maladies. The verse shows Jesus restoring Jairus' daughter to life after she had died. It was at once and immediately by His command and voice, with her body and breath returning and her body reviving.

At His word she straightway arose and walked, being twelve years old. Though still weak from her long illness, she was free from disease and her recovery was complete. Her parents rejoiced and wept for joy at her return to life. Those who saw her alive after death were astonished with great astonishment. Jesus told the household to give her food and to keep the miracle quiet, but the many witnesses caused the news to spread.

Doctrine and Application

The raising confirms the assurance given to Jairus to believe and not fear, for at the command to arise the child was restored to life at once and her parents rejoiced. She had died, yet she arose and walked, still weak from her illness but free from disease, and those who saw her alive after death were astonished. His voice brought the dying girl back to life so that she immediately rose and walked while those present were deeply astonished. In this her recovery proves that healing power could restore the dying and gives hope to the sick, showing power over death.

That raising during the earthly ministry was not with immortality. Like the son of the widow of Nain and Lazarus, she remained subject to death and decay and would die again. It is unlike those who came forth from the grave at Christ's resurrection, who were raised to everlasting life to be with Him where He is. They were clothed with immortality, nevermore to see death or experience sorrow.

The same Christ who Himself raised the dead to life in His earthly ministry heals the sick in every instance now and performs every mighty work through the ministry of His servants, so He is to be trusted and believed in. His blessing on the means used for restoration to health brings success, and His mercy delights to manifest itself in behalf of suffering humanity. He imparts the ministration of healing to the sick, and physicians are to give Him the glory for the wonderful works performed.

After the miracle He attended also to an ordinary bodily need by reminding her parents that she must have something to eat, showing careful attention to small, practical matters and concern for people's needs. Her body had revived so that she arose and walked, though weakened by her long illness yet free from disease, bringing her parents great joy. He told the household to give her food and to keep the miracle quiet, but the many witnesses caused the news to spread. Even with the great work of redemption weighing upon Him and all the energies of body and soul taxed in teaching and healing, He noticed her simple bodily need. This proves His divine-human nature is finely awake to every needy cry and least touch of faith and does not overlook the humblest, and it teaches order, economy, and careful attention to the little things of human life and nature for nurses and physicians to follow.