Mark 5:43

And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

And {G2532} he charged {G1291} them {G846} straitly {G4183} that {G2443} no man {G3367} should know {G1097} it {G5124}; and {G2532} commanded {G2036} that something should be given {G1325} her {G846} to eat {G5315}.

He gave them strict orders to say nothing about this to anyone, and told them to give her something to eat.

Then Jesus gave strict orders that no one should know about this, and He told them to give her something to eat.

And he charged them much that no man should know this: and he commanded that something should be given her to eat.

Commentary

Mark 5:43 (KJV) concludes the powerful account of Jesus raising Jairus's daughter from the dead. This verse reveals two immediate and significant actions taken by Jesus after performing one of His most profound miracles: commanding secrecy and ensuring the girl's physical well-being.

Context

This verse follows directly after Jesus enters the home of Jairus, a synagogue official, whose twelve-year-old daughter had died. Despite the mourners and skeptics, Jesus declared, "The maid is not dead, but sleepeth" (Mark 5:39). Taking only Peter, James, John, and the girl's parents into the room, Jesus took her by the hand and commanded, "Talitha cumi," which means, "Damsel, I say unto thee, arise" (Mark 5:41). Immediately, the girl rose and walked, demonstrating Jesus' unparalleled authority over death itself. Mark 5:42 states that they were "astonished with a great astonishment" at this incredible miracle of resurrection.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Messianic Secret: Jesus "charged them straitly that no man should know it." This is a recurring theme in Mark's Gospel, often referred to as the "Messianic Secret." Jesus frequently commanded those He healed or those who witnessed His miracles to remain silent (see Mark 1:44, Mark 8:30). Possible reasons for this secrecy include:
    • To prevent Him from being prematurely identified as a political Messiah, which would incite rebellion against Roman rule and deviate from His spiritual mission.
    • To avoid sensationalism and large crowds that might hinder His teaching and ministry.
    • To allow the truth about His identity to unfold gradually and be understood in its proper spiritual context, particularly after His resurrection.
  • Compassion and Practical Care: Jesus "commanded that something should be given her to eat." This demonstrates Jesus' profound compassion and practical concern for the girl's immediate physical needs. Her resurrection was not just a dramatic display of power; it was a restoration to full life, including the need for nourishment. This highlights His holistic care for individuals, addressing not only spiritual and miraculous needs but also fundamental human necessities. It also served as undeniable proof that she was truly alive and well, not merely revived temporarily.
  • Authenticity of the Miracle: The command to eat further solidifies the reality of the miracle. A truly resurrected person would have normal human needs, confirming that she was fully restored to health and not merely in a trance or temporarily revived.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "charged them straitly" comes from the Greek word diastellomai (ฮดฮนฮฑฯƒฯ„ฮญฮปฮปฮฟฮผฮฑฮน), which means "to distinguish, to separate, to give a strict command or injunction." This emphasizes the earnestness and seriousness with which Jesus gave the instruction for silence. It was not a casual suggestion but a firm directive.

Practical Application

Mark 5:43 offers several insights for believers today:

  • Discretion in Ministry: Not every powerful spiritual experience or divine intervention is meant for immediate public proclamation. Sometimes, God works quietly, and wisdom dictates when and how to share such profound moments.
  • Holistic Care: Jesus' concern for the girl's hunger reminds us that faith is not just about spiritual truths but also about practical care for human needs. As believers, we are called to address both the spiritual and physical well-being of others, following Christ's example of compassion (see Matthew 25:35).
  • Confirmation of God's Work: Just as the command to eat confirmed the girl's full restoration, true spiritual transformation often manifests in practical, tangible ways, affirming the reality of God's work in a person's life.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 8:4

    And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

  • Mark 7:36

    And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published [it];

  • Mark 1:43

    And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;

  • Matthew 9:30

    And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See [that] no man know [it].

  • Luke 5:14

    And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

  • John 5:41

    I receive not honour from men.

  • Matthew 12:16

    And charged them that they should not make him known:
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