And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Mark 5:36
Mark 5:36 is a verse set within the broader context of the New Testament, specifically the Gospel of Mark, which is traditionally attributed to John Mark, a companion of the Apostle Peter. This Gospel is one of the four canonical Gospels and was likely written in the latter half of the first century. It is known for its portrayal of Jesus as a man of action and authority, emphasizing his miracles and the urgency of his mission.
In the verses leading up to Mark 5:36, Jesus is approached by Jairus, a ruler of a synagogue, who pleads with him to heal his dying daughter. As they make their way to Jairus's home, a messenger arrives with the tragic news that the daughter has died, advising Jairus not to trouble Jesus further. It is at this moment of despair and sorrow that Jesus responds with the words recorded in verse 5:36: "Be not afraid, only believe."
The themes present in this verse include faith in the face of despair, the power of belief, and the authority of Jesus over life and death. Jesus' command to Jairus to maintain faith despite the apparent finality of death speaks to the heart of Christian doctrine, which holds that Jesus has power over all aspects of human existence, including the resurrection of the dead. The phrase "only believe" encapsulates the essence of Christian faith, suggesting that belief in Jesus can overcome fear and even the ultimate human fear of death.
Historically, this verse reflects the early Christian community's understanding of Jesus as a healer and miracle worker, whose actions and teachings were seen as a fulfillment of Jewish messianic expectations. It also illustrates the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders of the time, as Jairus, a synagogue leader, must humble himself before Jesus, acknowledging his authority beyond the confines of traditional religious structures.
In summary, Mark 5:36 captures a pivotal moment in the Gospel narrative, where Jesus confronts the human limits of fear and doubt with a call to faith. This verse underscores the transformative power of belief in Jesus, a central tenet of Christianity, and reflects the historical context of early Christian beliefs in Jesus' divine authority and ability to perform miracles.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
Strong's Number: G1161 There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: δέ Transliteration: dé Pronunciation: deh Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
Strong's Number: G2112 There are 80 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: εὐθέως Transliteration: euthéōs Pronunciation: yoo-theh'-oce Description: adverb from εὐθύς; directly, i.e. at once or soon:--anon, as soon as, forthwith, immediately, shortly, straightway.
Strong's Number: G2424 There are 935 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: Ἰησοῦς Transliteration: Iēsoûs Pronunciation: ee-ay-sooce' Description: of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.
Strong's Number: G191 There are 448 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ἀκούω Transliteration: akoúō Pronunciation: ak-oo'-o Description: a primary verb; to hear (in various senses):--give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear(-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand.
Strong's Number: G3056 There are 316 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: λόγος Transliteration: lógos Pronunciation: log'-os Description: from λέγω; something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ):--account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say(-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.
Strong's Number: G2980 There are 271 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: λαλέω Transliteration: laléō Pronunciation: lal-eh'-o Description: a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. utter words:--preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter. Compare λέγω.
Strong's Number: G3004 There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: λέγω Transliteration: légō Pronunciation: leg'-o Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
Strong's Number: G752 There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ἀρχισυνάγωγος Transliteration: archisynágōgos Pronunciation: ar-khee-soon-ag'-o-gos Description: from ἀρχή and συναγωγή; director of the synagogue services:--(chief) ruler of the synagogue.
Strong's Number: G5399 There are 90 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: φοβέω Transliteration: phobéō Pronunciation: fob-eh'-o Description: from φόβος; to frighten, i.e. (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. revere:--be (+ sore) afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence.
Strong's Number: G3361 There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: μή Transliteration: mḗ Pronunciation: may Description: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas οὐ expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas οὐ expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also ἐὰν μή, ἵνα μή, οὐ μή, μῆκος, μηκύνω, μήν, μὴ οὐκ.
Strong's Number: G3440 There are 66 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: μόνον Transliteration: mónon Pronunciation: mon'-on Description: neuter of μόνος as adverb; merely:--alone, but, only.
Strong's Number: G4100 There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: πιστεύω Transliteration: pisteúō Pronunciation: pist-yoo'-o Description: from πίστις; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ):--believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.