Mark 5:23

KJV

And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: [I pray thee], come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} besought {G3870} him {G846} greatly {G4183}, saying {G3004},{G3754} My {G3450} little daughter {G2365} lieth {G2079} at the point of death {G2192}: I pray thee, come {G2064} and {G2443} lay {G2007} thy hands {G5495} on her {G846}, that {G3704} she may be healed {G4982}; and {G2532} she shall live {G2198}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and pleaded desperately with him, "My little daughter is at the point of death. Please! Come and lay your hands on her, so that she will get well and live!"

Berean Standard Bible

and pleaded with Him urgently, “My little daughter is near death. Please come and place Your hands on her, so that she will be healed and live.”

American Standard Version

and beseecheth him much, saying, My little daughter is at the point of death: I pray thee, that thou come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be made whole, and live.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 5:23 presents the urgent and desperate plea of Jairus, a synagogue ruler, to Jesus. His young daughter is on the brink of death, prompting him to humble himself publicly before Jesus, imploring Him to come and lay hands on her, believing this act will lead to her healing and restoration to life. This verse powerfully encapsulates a father's profound faith and the critical, life-or-death situation that draws Jesus' compassionate intervention.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse initiates a significant narrative block in [Mark's Gospel](/mark/5-21-43 "Mark 5:21-43 - Jairus's Daughter and the Woman with a Hemorrhage") that highlights Jesus' authority over sickness and death, and the power of desperate faith. The story of Jairus's daughter is famously interrupted by the healing of the woman with a twelve-year hemorrhage ([Mark 5:25-34](/mark/5-25-34 "Mark 5:25-34 - The Woman with a Hemorrhage")). This interlude is not a mere delay but serves to underscore Jesus' immediate responsiveness to faith, even when unrequested, and to intensify the tension of Jairus's situation, ultimately setting the stage for an even greater demonstration of Jesus' power over death itself in [Mark 5:41-42](/mark/5-41-42 "Mark 5:41-42 - Jesus Raises Jairus's Daughter").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jairus, as a synagogue ruler (ἀρχισυνάγωγος), held a position of considerable local authority and respect within his Jewish community. His role involved overseeing the synagogue services, managing its affairs, and maintaining order. For such a prominent figure to prostrate himself before Jesus in public, as implied by his "besought him greatly," was an act of profound humility and desperation, indicative of his deep distress and his belief that Jesus was his only hope. In Jewish culture, the laying on of hands was a common practice associated with blessing, commissioning, and healing, making Jairus's request culturally understandable as an appeal for divine intervention through Jesus.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 5:23 contributes significantly to several key themes in the Gospel of Mark. Foremost is the theme of **faith** in the face of seemingly insurmountable circumstances, as Jairus's plea demonstrates a belief in Jesus' unique power to heal and restore life. This narrative also powerfully illustrates **Jesus' divine authority** over sickness and death, presenting Him as one who can intervene directly in the most dire human conditions. Furthermore, it highlights Jesus' profound **compassion** and willingness to respond to human suffering, regardless of social status or public perception, a consistent characteristic of His ministry throughout [the Gospels](/gospel_of_mark/1-1 "The Gospel of Mark - The Beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **besought (Greek, _parakaléō_):** From G3870, this verb means "to call near, i.e., invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)." It conveys a sense of earnest entreaty, a passionate appeal born out of deep distress and urgent need, far beyond a casual request. Jairus is not merely asking; he is pleading with intense fervor.
* **little daughter (Greek, _thygátrion_):** From G2365, this is a diminutive form of "daughter," emphasizing her youth and vulnerability. The use of this term evokes a sense of tenderness and highlights the profound emotional distress of a father witnessing his child in such a critical state. It underscores the preciousness of the life at stake.
* **live (Greek, _záō_):** From G2198, this primary verb means "to live (literally or figuratively)." In this context, it refers to the restoration of physical life, contrasting sharply with the "point of death." Jairus's faith is not merely for alleviation of suffering, but for a complete return to life, a testament to his belief in Jesus' power over death itself.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And besought him greatly, saying,"**: This opening phrase immediately establishes the intensity and urgency of Jairus's approach. The "greatly" (G4183, _polýs_) amplifies the earnestness of his plea, indicating a profound emotional state and a desperate, fervent appeal to Jesus. It sets the tone for a pivotal moment of faith and divine encounter.
* **"My little daughter lieth at the point of death:"**: This clause reveals the dire circumstances that compelled Jairus to seek Jesus. The phrase "at the point of death" (G2079 _eschátōs_ with G2192 _échō_) vividly communicates that the child is on the verge of expiring, emphasizing the critical, life-threatening nature of her condition and the immediate need for intervention.
* **"[I pray thee], come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live."**: This is the core of Jairus's request, expressing both his specific desire and his profound faith. His request for Jesus to "come" (G2064, _érchomai_) indicates his belief in Jesus' physical presence and direct action. The act of "laying hands" (G2007 _epitíthēmi_ with G5495 _cheír_) was a common practice associated with healing and blessing, signifying the transfer of power or authority. The ultimate purpose of this action is explicitly stated: "that she may be healed" (G4982, _sṓzō_, meaning to save or make whole) and, crucially, "she shall live" (G2198, _záō_), demonstrating Jairus's conviction in Jesus' power to restore life from the very brink of death.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Pathos** is evident in Jairus's desperate plea for his "little daughter," evoking strong emotional resonance for any parent or empathic reader. The phrase "lieth at the point of death" creates immense **urgency** and **tension**, immediately drawing the audience into the gravity of the situation and highlighting the critical need for immediate divine intervention. Furthermore, the request "that she may be healed; and she shall live" functions as **foreshadowing**, hinting at the miraculous resurrection that will soon follow, thereby building anticipation and underscoring Jesus' ultimate authority over life and death.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 5:23 powerfully demonstrates the intersection of human desperation and divine compassion. It highlights the theological truth that God, through Jesus, is sovereign over life and death, and that His power is not limited by the severity of human suffering or the finality of death. Jairus's act of humbling himself and making a public, desperate plea underscores the nature of genuine faith—a trust that casts aside pride and human limitations to rely solely on God's miraculous intervention. This narrative reinforces the biblical theme that Jesus is the ultimate source of healing and life, responding with active love to those who seek Him with earnest belief.

* [John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")
* [Luke 7:14-15](/luke/7-14-15 "Luke 7:14-15 - Jesus Raises the Widow's Son at Nain")
* [Matthew 9:18](/matthew/9-18 "Matthew 9:18 - Jesus Heals a Ruler's Daughter")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 5:23 serves as a profound encouragement for believers to bring their most desperate needs and deepest sorrows directly to Jesus. Like Jairus, we are called to approach Him with humility, casting aside any pretense of self-sufficiency or social standing. The urgency of Jairus's plea reminds us that no situation is too dire, no illness too advanced, and no hope too faint for Jesus' intervention. This verse invites us to cultivate a persistent and unwavering faith, even when circumstances seem utterly hopeless or when answers are not immediately apparent. It underscores the boundless compassion of Christ, assuring us that He is attentive to our cries and possesses the power to heal, restore, and even conquer what appears to be the finality of death. Our trust in Him should be absolute, believing that His will and power can transcend all human limitations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you called to exercise a "desperate faith" like Jairus?**
* **How does Jairus's humility in approaching Jesus, despite his social standing, challenge your own pride or hesitation in seeking God's help?**
* **What does Jesus' immediate response to Jairus's plea teach you about His compassion and willingness to intervene in your life?**

### FAQ
**Who was Jairus and why was his plea significant?**

Answer: Jairus was a synagogue ruler, a respected and influential leader in his local Jewish community. His plea was highly significant because, despite his prominent social and religious standing, he humbled himself completely by falling at Jesus' feet in public. This act demonstrated an extraordinary depth of desperation and faith, as he set aside all pride and societal expectations to seek miraculous intervention for his dying daughter from a traveling rabbi. It highlights that even those in positions of authority recognize Jesus' unique power.

**What does "at the point of death" mean for the narrative?**

Answer: The phrase "at the point of death" (KJV) or "dying" (NIV) signifies the extreme urgency and critical nature of the daughter's condition. It means she was literally on the verge of expiring, emphasizing that human medical efforts were likely exhausted or deemed futile. This detail is crucial for the narrative because it sets the stage for Jesus' ultimate demonstration of power over death itself. It elevates the miracle from a healing to a resurrection, showcasing His divine authority and confirming His identity as the Lord of life, as seen later in the full account in [Mark 5:41-42](/mark/5-41-42 "Mark 5:41-42 - Jesus Raises Jairus's Daughter").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 5:23, with Jairus's desperate plea for his dying daughter, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' own victory over death and His role as the Giver of eternal life. Jairus's request for his daughter to be "healed" and "live" foreshadows the greater reality of Jesus' power not just to restore earthly life, but to conquer death definitively through His resurrection. The raising of Jairus's daughter is a powerful sign pointing to Jesus as "the resurrection and the life," as He declares in [John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life"). His compassionate response to Jairus's faith demonstrates that He is the one who holds the keys of death and Hades ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Jesus Holds the Keys of Death")). For believers, the hope that Jairus expressed—that his daughter "shall live"—is fulfilled in Christ's promise of new and everlasting life, assuring us that because He lives, we too shall live, both now and eternally, through the power of the Spirit who raised Him from the dead ([Romans 8:11](/romans/8-11 "Romans 8:11 - The Spirit of Him Who Raised Jesus")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 13:13

And he laid [his] hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

Mark 16:18

They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Luke 4:40

Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.

Acts 28:8

And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.

James 5:14

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

James 5:15

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

Mark 9:21

And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.