Mark 5:42

Context

Mark 5:42 concludes the miraculous account of Jesus raising Jairus's daughter from the dead. This pivotal event occurs immediately after Jesus's powerful encounter with the woman who had suffered from a flow of blood for twelve years. The narrative begins with Jairus, a synagogue official, pleading with Jesus to heal his dying daughter (Mark 5:23). Despite news of her death, Jesus encourages Jairus to 'only believe' (Mark 5:36), entering the house with only Peter, James, and John. He then speaks the Aramaic words, 'Talitha cumi' ('Damsel, I say unto thee, arise'), directly preceding this verse, demonstrating His ultimate authority over life and death.

Key Themes

This verse vividly highlights several core themes:

• Divine Authority Over Death: The immediate restoration of life to the deceased girl demonstrates Jesus's unique power over death itself, a power reserved for God. This miracle foreshadows His own resurrection and affirms His divine nature.
• Instantaneous and Complete Healing: The phrase 'straightway the damsel arose, and walked' emphasizes the instantaneous and complete nature of Jesus's miracle. There was no recovery period, no lingering weakness, indicating a perfect restoration.
• The Significance of 'Twelve Years': The detail that she was 'of the age of twelve years' is notable. It parallels the woman with the issue of blood who had suffered for twelve years, possibly symbolizing a full cycle or a period of suffering brought to an end by Christ's intervention. For a young girl, twelve years marked her entry into adolescence, making her death particularly poignant and her resurrection even more miraculous.
• Profound Amazement: The reaction, 'astonished with a great astonishment,' underscores the overwhelming and undeniable impact of witnessing such a divine act. It was an experience that left them deeply moved and awestruck by Jesus's power.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's 'straightway' translates the Greek word euthys, which is frequently used in the Gospel of Mark to emphasize immediacy and the dynamic, urgent pace of Jesus's ministry. The phrase 'astonished with a great astonishment' is a powerful rendering of the Greek ekstasis megalē. Ekstasis literally means 'a standing out' or 'displacement,' from which we get our English word 'ecstasy.' It signifies a profound state of overwhelming wonder, awe, or even terror, where one is taken out of their normal state of mind by the magnitude of an event. This highlights the truly extraordinary nature of what they witnessed, a divine intervention that transcended normal human experience.

Practical Application

Mark 5:42 offers profound encouragement and lessons for believers today:

• Hope Beyond Despair: Just as Jesus intervened in a seemingly hopeless situation for Jairus, this miracle reassures us that God's power is not limited by our most dire circumstances, even death. It invites us to trust in His ability to bring life out of death and hope out of despair, as exemplified by Jesus proclaiming Himself as the resurrection and the life.
• The Power of Jesus's Word: The girl's immediate resurrection at Jesus's command ('Talitha cumi') underscores the inherent power and authority in His spoken word. His words are not mere suggestions but life-giving commands, demonstrating His divine authority over all creation.
• Witnessing God's Glory: The astonishment of those present reminds us of the awe and wonder that should accompany our recognition of God's work in the world and in our lives. It calls us to acknowledge and testify to His miraculous power.
• Divine Timing and Purpose: The detail of her age and the parallel to the woman with the issue of blood can remind us that God works with specific timing and purpose, often weaving together seemingly disparate events to reveal His overarching plan and compassion.