Mark 5:36

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 5:36 captures a pivotal moment of divine intervention and profound spiritual instruction, as Jesus, upon hearing the devastating news of Jairus’s daughter’s death, immediately turns to the grieving father with a powerful command: "Be not afraid, only believe." This concise declaration serves as a timeless testament to the supremacy of faith over fear, offering a beacon of hope and a direct challenge to human despair in the face of seemingly insurmountable circumstances, setting the stage for a miraculous demonstration of Christ's authority over life and death.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed at a dramatic climax within the narrative of Jairus, a synagogue ruler, whose desperate plea for his dying twelve-year-old daughter initiated Jesus's journey toward his home. The narrative flow is intentionally interrupted by the healing of the woman with a twelve-year issue of blood, a delay that heightens the tension and seemingly seals the daughter's fate. Just as Jesus finishes speaking with the healed woman, messengers arrive with the crushing news: "Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?" ([Mark 5:35](/mark/5-35 "Mark 5:35 - The Messengers' Report")). It is precisely at this moment of ultimate human despair and apparent finality that Jesus intercepts the message, turning directly to Jairus to counter the news of death with a command to believe, thus pivoting the narrative from despair to the expectation of a miracle.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, death was viewed with profound grief and a sense of finality, often accompanied by immediate mourning rituals, including the hiring of professional mourners who would begin their lamentations as soon as death was confirmed. The ruler of the synagogue, or *archisynagogos*, was a respected and influential figure responsible for the administration and oversight of the synagogue services, including inviting speakers and ensuring order. For such a prominent figure to humbly prostrate himself before Jesus, a traveling rabbi, as Jairus did ([Mark 5:22](/mark/5-22 "Mark 5:22 - Jairus's Plea")), underscored the depth of his desperation and the burgeoning recognition of Jesus's unique authority. The arrival of messengers confirming death would have been culturally understood as the definitive end, making Jesus's subsequent command to "only believe" a radical counter-cultural statement that defied all conventional expectations and medical realities of the time.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 5:36 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Gospel of Mark. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Jesus's Authority Over Sickness and Death**. Following the healing of the woman with the issue of blood, this verse sets the stage for an even greater demonstration of power – the resurrection of the dead, showcasing Jesus's absolute sovereignty not only over physical ailments but over life itself. Secondly, it highlights the **Primacy of Faith**. Jesus's command to Jairus, "Be not afraid, only believe," encapsulates a core message throughout Mark: that genuine faith is active trust in Jesus, even when circumstances seem hopeless. This echoes the broader biblical call to trust God in the face of fear, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - God's Promise to Help") or [Psalm 27:1](/psalms/27-1 "Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is My Light and Salvation"). Finally, the verse exemplifies the theme of **Divine Compassion and Intervention**. Despite the delay and the seemingly irreversible outcome, Jesus's immediate response to Jairus's distress demonstrates His deep empathy and His readiness to intervene miraculously when human hope is exhausted, leading directly to the resurrection of Jairus's daughter in [Mark 5:41-42](/mark/5-41-42 "Mark 5:41-42 - Jesus Raises Jairus's Daughter").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Heard (Greek, _akoúō'_):** From G191, this verb signifies "to hear" in various senses, including to give audience to, to come to the ears, or to understand. In this context, it implies Jesus's immediate and full comprehension of the devastating news that had just been spoken. It's not merely passive reception of sound but an active, attentive hearing that prompts an immediate and decisive response.
* **Afraid (Greek, _phobéō'_):** From G5399, this word means to frighten, or passively, to be alarmed. It can also imply reverence or awe. Here, in the negative imperative "Be not afraid" (μὴ φοβοῦ), it directly addresses Jairus's natural human fear, panic, and despair in the face of his daughter's death. Jesus commands him to cast off the paralyzing grip of terror and anxiety.
* **Believe (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** From G4100, this verb means to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), to credit, or to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ). In this critical moment, Jesus is not asking for mere intellectual assent to a fact, but for a profound, active, and unwavering trust in His power and authority, even when all evidence points to the contrary. It's a call to entrust the impossible situation to Him.
* **Only (Greek, _mónon'_):** From G3440, this adverb means merely or alone. Its inclusion here is crucial, emphasizing that belief is the *sole* requirement or condition Jesus places upon Jairus. It strips away all other considerations, worries, or perceived obstacles, narrowing the focus entirely to the act of faith in Jesus.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken":** This clause highlights Jesus's immediate and perceptive awareness of the messengers' devastating news. The phrase "as soon as" (Greek, *euthéōs*) emphasizes the swiftness of His response, underscoring His presence, attentiveness, and readiness to intervene precisely at the moment of crisis, before despair could fully set in.
* **"he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue":** This shows Jesus's direct and personal address to Jairus, cutting through the noise of the crowd and the despair of the messengers' report. His focus is entirely on the father, whose faith is now being tested by the ultimate tragedy. This direct address underscores the personal nature of Jesus's compassion and His targeted instruction.
* **"Be not afraid":** This is a direct command (an imperative in the Greek) to counter the natural human response of fear and despair in the face of death. Jesus recognizes Jairus's emotional state and immediately confronts it, calling him to reject the paralyzing power of fear that would prevent him from receiving the miracle. It's an instruction to actively resist succumbing to hopelessness.
* **"only believe":** This is the core of Jesus's instruction and the key to the impending miracle. The word "only" (Greek, *mónon*) emphasizes that nothing else is required—no ritual, no further action, just a singular, unwavering trust in Jesus's power and willingness to act. It's a call for active, confident faith that looks beyond the visible reality of death to the invisible power of God.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 5:36 is rich with literary devices that amplify its dramatic impact and theological significance. The most prominent is the use of **Imperative Mood** in Jesus's commands, "Be not afraid" and "only believe." These are not suggestions but direct, authoritative injunctions, reflecting Jesus's divine authority and His expectation of immediate obedience and trust. There is a powerful **Juxtaposition** between the news of death and Jesus's words of life. The messengers deliver a message of finality and despair, immediately followed by Jesus's counter-message of hope and possibility, setting up a dramatic tension between human limitation and divine power. The verse also employs **Dramatic Irony** and **Foreshadowing**. The audience knows, or is led to expect, that Jesus has the power to overcome death, while Jairus, in that moment, is grappling with the apparent end. Jesus's command to "only believe" subtly foreshadows the miraculous resurrection that is about to occur, hinting at His power before it is fully revealed. Finally, the **Direct Address** to Jairus ("he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue") personalizes the divine encounter, making the command a specific challenge to an individual's faith in a moment of profound personal crisis.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 5:36 is a profound theological statement on the nature of faith and the character of God, particularly as revealed in Jesus Christ. It asserts that genuine faith is not the absence of fear, but the active choice to trust in God's power and goodness *despite* the presence of fear and seemingly insurmountable circumstances. This verse elevates belief beyond mere intellectual assent, portraying it as a dynamic, active reliance on Jesus's authority, even over death itself. It underscores the truth that God's power is not limited by human limitations or the finality of death, and that His divine intervention is often contingent upon, or at least responsive to, a posture of unwavering faith. The command "only believe" distills the essence of discipleship: to fix one's gaze upon Christ, rather than on the overwhelming problems, and to trust in His sovereign will and ability.

* [Mark 9:23](/mark/9-23 "Mark 9:23 - All Things Are Possible for One Who Believes")
* [John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")
* [Hebrews 11:6](/hebrews/11-6 "Hebrews 11:6 - Faith is Essential to Please God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 5:36 offers an enduring and deeply comforting truth for believers navigating the inevitable crises and heartbreaks of life. In a world where devastating news, unexpected tragedies, and seemingly impossible situations often leave us paralyzed by fear and despair, Jesus's simple yet profound command echoes across the centuries: "Be not afraid, only believe." This verse calls us to a radical reorientation of our perspective, urging us to shift our focus from the overwhelming problem to the omnipotent Problem-Solver. It reminds us that our faith is not merely for easy times, but is most powerfully demonstrated and deepened in moments of extreme adversity. To "only believe" means to actively choose trust over terror, hope over hopelessness, and divine power over human limitation. It challenges us to cultivate a faith that is not based on what we see or understand, but on the unwavering character and limitless ability of Jesus Christ, who has authority even over death itself. This is an invitation to surrender our fears and anxieties into His capable hands, trusting that He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, even when all human hope is gone.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What current "dead" situations in your life are causing you fear and despair?**
* **How might Jesus's command to "Be not afraid, only believe" challenge your immediate reaction to this situation?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to actively choose belief over fear in a specific area of your life?**
* **How does remembering Jesus's ultimate authority over death strengthen your resolve to trust Him in difficult circumstances?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus say "only believe" when Jairus's daughter was already dead?**

Answer: Jesus's command to "only believe" in [Mark 5:36](/mark/5-36 "Mark 5:36 - Be Not Afraid, Only Believe") was a direct counter to the finality of the messengers' report that Jairus's daughter had died. For Jesus, death was not an insurmountable barrier, but another realm subject to His divine authority. By telling Jairus to "only believe," Jesus was not dismissing the reality of death, but rather inviting Jairus to look beyond the natural realm to the supernatural power of God. It was a call to trust in Jesus's unique ability to intervene even in the most hopeless of circumstances, demonstrating that His power extends beyond healing to resurrection itself. This command served to prepare Jairus's heart to receive the miracle that was about to unfold, shifting his focus from the devastating news to the limitless power of the Son of God.

**Is this verse a promise that God will always heal or intervene if we "only believe"?**

Answer: While [Mark 5:36](/mark/5-36 "Mark 5:36 - Be Not Afraid, Only Believe") powerfully illustrates God's ability and willingness to intervene miraculously in response to faith, it is crucial to interpret it within the broader biblical context. This verse does not guarantee that every act of faith will result in physical healing or a specific desired outcome in every situation. God's sovereignty means His will is supreme, and sometimes His purpose involves suffering or death, as seen in the lives of many faithful biblical figures and martyrs. Instead, the promise embedded in "only believe" is that God is always faithful, always powerful, and always worthy of our trust, regardless of the outcome. True belief means trusting God's wisdom and goodness even when His answer is not what we expect, knowing that He works all things for the good of those who love Him ([Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All Things Work for Good")). It is a call to trust His character, not just His capacity to perform miracles on demand.

**How does this verse relate to trusting God in seemingly impossible situations today?**

Answer: [Mark 5:36](/mark/5-36 "Mark 5:36 - Be Not Afraid, Only Believe") remains profoundly relevant for believers facing impossible situations today. It serves as a powerful reminder that human limitations and the finality of circumstances do not define God's power or His ability to intervene. When faced with financial ruin, terminal illness, broken relationships, or any crisis that seems beyond repair, Jesus's words encourage us to resist the natural inclination to fear and despair. Instead, we are called to actively choose faith, placing our trust in His sovereignty and power. This doesn't mean ignoring reality, but rather seeing reality through the lens of God's limitless capability. It's an invitation to surrender control, release anxiety, and lean into the divine promise that with God, nothing is impossible ([Luke 1:37](/luke/1-37 "Luke 1:37 - For Nothing Will Be Impossible with God")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 5:36, with its powerful command to "Be not afraid, only believe," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Himself, who is the very embodiment of the life-giving power that overcomes death. Jairus's desperate plea and subsequent act of faith in a seemingly hopeless situation foreshadow the greater truth that Jesus is not merely a healer, but "the resurrection and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). His immediate response to the news of death, a command to believe, points directly to His unique divine authority over all creation, including the grave. The ultimate demonstration of this authority is found in His own triumph over death through His crucifixion and resurrection, which serves as the bedrock of Christian faith ([1 Corinthians 15:20-22](/1_corinthians/15-20-22 "1 Corinthians 15:20-22 - Christ's Resurrection as Firstfruits")). Through His resurrection, Jesus has disarmed the power of death and the grave, offering eternal life to all who believe in Him ([Romans 6:9-11](/romans/6-9-11 "Romans 6:9-11 - Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ")). Therefore, Jairus's act of faith in [Mark 5:36](/mark/5-36 "Mark 5:36 - Be Not Afraid, Only Believe") becomes a microcosm of the saving faith required of all humanity: to look to Jesus, the conqueror of death, and to believe in Him for the gift of eternal life, trusting that because He lives, we too shall live ([John 14:19](/john/14-19 "John 14:19 - Because I Live, You Also Will Live")).

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 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;