Mark 5:36

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Ignoring what they had said, Yeshua told the synagogue official, "Don't be afraid, just keep trusting."

Berean Standard Bible:

But Jesus overheard their conversation and said to Jairus, “Do not be afraid; just believe.”

American Standard Version:

But Jesus, not heeding the word spoken, saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Fear not, only believe.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

As soon as{G1161}{G2112} Jesus{G2424} heard{G191} the word{G3056} that was spoken{G2980}, he saith{G3004} unto the ruler of the synagogue{G752}, Be{G5399} not{G3361} afraid{G5399}, only{G3440} believe{G4100}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Luke 8:50

  • But when Jesus heard [it], he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

Matthew 9:28

  • 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.

Matthew 9:29

  • Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

John 11:40

  • Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

Mark 9:23

  • Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things [are] possible to him that believeth.

Romans 4:18

  • Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

Romans 4:24

  • But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

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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)

  1. Strong's Number: G1161
    There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: δέ
    Transliteration:
    Pronunciation: deh
    Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.