Mark 5:39

Context of Mark 5:39

Mark 5:39 finds Jesus arriving at the home of Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, whose twelve-year-old daughter was on the brink of death. While Jesus was on His way, delayed by the healing of the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:25-34), news came that the girl had died. Upon entering the house, Jesus encountered a scene of immense grief and chaos: professional mourners, typically hired for such occasions in ancient Jewish culture, were making a loud "ado" (commotion) and weeping, as was customary for expressing sorrow at a funeral. It is into this atmosphere of despair and loud lamentation that Jesus speaks these profound words, challenging the prevailing perception of death.

Key Themes and Messages

• Jesus's Authority Over Death: The most striking theme is Jesus's unique authority over life and death. By stating, "the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth," Jesus redefines death from a human perspective. He doesn't deny the physical cessation of life as others understood it, but rather asserts His power to reverse it, treating it as a temporary state, like sleep, from which one can be awakened. This foreshadows His own resurrection and His ultimate victory over the grave.
• Faith vs. Unbelief: The crowd's reaction of weeping and "ado" represents a common human response to death rooted in despair and a lack of understanding of divine power. Jesus's words call for a shift from this earthly, hopeless view to one of faith in His ability to perform the miraculous. This contrasts sharply with the earlier instruction given to Jairus: "Be not afraid, only believe."
• Divine Perspective: Jesus offers a divine perspective on death. For Him, death is not an insurmountable end but a temporary condition. This perspective is foundational to Christian hope, where death for believers is often referred to as "sleep" (e.g., 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14), awaiting the resurrection.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's "sleepeth" translates the Greek word katheudō (καθεύδω). While it literally means "to sleep" (as in natural slumber), it is frequently used in the New Testament as a euphemism for death, particularly for those who have died in faith. This usage emphasizes the temporary nature of death for believers, who await a future awakening or resurrection. Jesus's choice of this word here is not to suggest the girl was merely unconscious, but to convey His power to awaken her from death itself, much like one awakes from sleep. Another instance where Jesus uses this analogy is with Lazarus in John 11:11.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound comfort and challenges our human understanding of loss. For believers, Jesus's words remind us that physical death is not the final word. It is a temporary state from which Christ can and will awaken us. This perspective encourages us to:

• Trust in Jesus's Power: Even in situations that appear hopeless or final, we are called to place our faith in Jesus's ultimate authority over all things, including death.
• Find Comfort in Loss: For those grieving the loss of loved ones who died in Christ, this verse, along with others, reinforces the hope of resurrection. Their passing is a "sleep," not an eternal separation.
• Adopt a Heavenly Perspective: It prompts us to view life and death not merely through earthly eyes but through the lens of God's eternal plan and Christ's triumph. The miracle that follows, the raising of Jairus's daughter (Mark 5:42), powerfully demonstrates the truth of Jesus's words.