Mark 5:43

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 5:43 concludes the miraculous account of Jairus's daughter's resurrection, revealing Jesus' immediate and purposeful actions post-miracle. He issues a strict command for secrecy, a recurring theme in Mark's Gospel, to manage public perception of His identity and mission. Simultaneously, He demonstrates profound compassion and practical care by instructing that the newly resurrected girl be given food, underscoring the authenticity of the miracle and His holistic concern for human well-being.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the immediate culmination of one of Jesus' most astonishing miracles in Mark's Gospel: the raising of Jairus's twelve-year-old daughter from the dead. Preceding this, Jesus had just calmed a storm ([Mark 4:35-41](/mark/4-35-41 "Mark 4:35-41 - Jesus Calms the Storm")) and healed the Gerasene demoniac ([Mark 5:1-20](/mark/5-1-20 "Mark 5:1-20 - Jesus Heals the Gerasene Demoniac")), both powerful demonstrations of His authority over nature and spiritual forces. The narrative then shifts to Jairus's desperate plea for his dying daughter, interrupted by the healing of the woman with a hemorrhage ([Mark 5:25-34](/mark/5-25-34 "Mark 5:25-34 - Jesus Heals the Woman with a Hemorrhage")). Upon arriving at Jairus's house, Jesus dismisses the professional mourners, declaring the girl merely "sleeping" ([Mark 5:39](/mark/5-39 "Mark 5:39 - The Girl is Asleep")). With only Peter, James, John, and the parents present, He takes her hand and commands, "Talitha cumi" ([Mark 5:41](/mark/5-41 "Mark 5:41 - Talitha Cumi, Arise!")), resulting in her immediate resurrection, which leaves the witnesses "astonished with a great astonishment" ([Mark 5:42](/mark/5-42 "Mark 5:42 - Great Astonishment")). Mark 5:43 then details Jesus' two post-miracle directives, providing a crucial interpretive lens for understanding the event.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish society, under Roman occupation, was rife with messianic expectations. Many anticipated a political, conquering Messiah who would liberate Israel from foreign rule. Jesus' miracles, particularly raising the dead, could easily be misinterpreted as a sign that He was this political liberator, potentially inciting rebellion and drawing unwanted Roman attention, which was not His immediate purpose. Furthermore, public displays of power often led to sensationalism and crowds seeking signs rather than spiritual transformation. The command for secrecy also reflects a common practice in ancient healing traditions where healers might advise patients on post-treatment care or discretion. The act of eating was a common way to confirm the reality of a resurrection in Jewish thought, as seen in other biblical accounts (e.g., Jesus eating fish after His own resurrection in [Luke 24:41-43](/luke/24-41-43 "Luke 24:41-43 - Jesus Eats Fish")).

* **Key Themes:** Mark 5:43 contributes significantly to several key themes in Mark's Gospel. The command for secrecy highlights the **Messianic Secret**, a prominent motif where Jesus often silences those He heals or those who recognize His divine identity ([Mark 1:44](/mark/1-44 "Mark 1:44 - Jesus' Command to the Leper"), [Mark 3:12](/mark/3-12 "Mark 3:12 - Jesus Charges the Spirits"), [Mark 8:30](/mark/8-30 "Mark 8:30 - Peter's Confession and Jesus' Command")). This secrecy likely served to prevent premature identification as a political Messiah, allow His identity to be understood through His suffering and resurrection, and avoid hindering His teaching ministry with overwhelming crowds. The command for food underscores Jesus' **holistic compassion** and **practical care**, demonstrating that His concern extends beyond miraculous healing to the fundamental physical needs of individuals. It also serves as undeniable **proof of the miracle's authenticity**, confirming that the girl was truly restored to full, living health, not merely revived or in a trance. This dual emphasis on divine power and human need is characteristic of Jesus' ministry throughout the Gospels.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **charged (Greek, _diastéllomai'_):** This word, meaning "to set oneself apart" or "to enjoin," conveys a strong, strict command or injunction. It indicates that Jesus' instruction for secrecy was not a casual suggestion but a serious and earnest directive, emphasizing the gravity with which He desired the miracle to remain undisclosed.
* **know (Greek, _ginṓskō'_):** This verb means "to know" in a comprehensive sense, encompassing awareness, perception, and understanding. In this context, it implies that Jesus did not want the details of the resurrection to become publicly known or widely understood, particularly in a way that might lead to misinterpretations of His messianic role.
* **eat (Greek, _phágō'_):** A primary verb meaning "to eat," used here to indicate the physical act of consuming food. This simple command serves as a practical demonstration of the girl's full restoration to life, affirming her normal human needs and confirming the miracle's reality beyond any doubt.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he charged them straitly that no man should know it;":** Immediately following the girl's resurrection, Jesus issues a stern and emphatic command for silence. The term "straitly" (from _polýs_, meaning "much" or "greatly") reinforces the intensity of this directive. Jesus' instruction that "no man should know it" refers to the miraculous nature of the event, particularly His power over death. This reflects the "Messianic Secret," a deliberate strategy to control the narrative surrounding His identity and prevent His mission from being misunderstood as purely political or sensational. He sought to avoid premature public acclaim that could hinder His true spiritual purpose and lead to an ill-timed confrontation with authorities.
* **"and commanded that something should be given her to eat.":** In stark contrast to the command for secrecy, Jesus also gives a practical and compassionate instruction. He "commanded" (from _épō_, "to speak or say") that the girl be given food. This seemingly mundane detail is profoundly significant. It serves as irrefutable proof that the girl was truly and fully alive, restored to normal human function, including the need for nourishment. It also highlights Jesus' holistic care, demonstrating that His concern extended beyond the dramatic miracle to the girl's immediate physical well-being, emphasizing His compassion for the individual.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 5:43 employs several literary devices. The most prominent is the **Messianic Secret**, a recurring motif in Mark's Gospel where Jesus frequently commands silence regarding His identity or miracles. This device creates a sense of suspense and mystery, inviting the reader to ponder the true nature of Jesus' Messiahship, which is fully revealed only through His suffering and resurrection. There is also a powerful **Juxtaposition** in the two commands: a command for profound secrecy about a divine act of resurrection set against a very practical, mundane command to feed a child. This juxtaposition highlights both Jesus' divine power and His profound humanity and compassion. The command to eat also functions as **Verisimilitude**, lending an air of realism and authenticity to the miracle. It grounds the supernatural event in the ordinary realities of human life, making the resurrection more believable and undeniable to the witnesses and the reader.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 5:43 profoundly illustrates Jesus' dual nature as both divine and human, possessing absolute authority over life and death while simultaneously demonstrating tender, practical compassion for human needs. The command for secrecy underscores the unique nature of His messianic mission, which was not primarily about political power or sensational displays, but about a deeper spiritual transformation culminating in His sacrificial death and resurrection. His concern for the girl's physical nourishment reveals a God who cares for the whole person—spirit, soul, and body—and whose miracles are not mere spectacles but acts of complete restoration. This holistic approach to healing and care is a foundational principle of the Kingdom of God.

* [Matthew 9:30](/matthew/9-30 "Matthew 9:30 - Jesus Commands Silence After Healing Two Blind Men")
* [Luke 24:41-43](/luke/24-41-43 "Luke 24:41-43 - Jesus Eats Fish After His Resurrection")
* [1 John 3:17](/1_john/3-17 "1 John 3:17 - Practical Love and Compassion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 5:43 offers profound insights into the nature of God's work and our response to it. Jesus' command for secrecy challenges our tendency to sensationalize spiritual experiences or immediately broadcast every divine intervention. Sometimes, God works quietly, and wisdom dictates when and how to share profound encounters, allowing the truth to unfold in His timing and for His purposes. This calls us to discernment and humility, recognizing that God's ways are higher than our own. Furthermore, Jesus' compassionate command to feed the girl reminds us that true faith is not solely about grand spiritual truths but also about practical, tangible care for human needs. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody His holistic compassion, addressing both the spiritual and physical well-being of those around us. Our faith should manifest in practical acts of love, mirroring Christ's concern for the hungry, the sick, and the vulnerable, demonstrating that God's power is not just for dramatic displays but for the everyday restoration of life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might God be working quietly, and how can you exercise discernment regarding when and how to share these experiences?**
* **How does Jesus' concern for the girl's physical hunger challenge your understanding of spiritual ministry and holistic care for others?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to demonstrate Christ-like compassion for the physical needs of those in your community?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus command secrecy after performing such a powerful miracle?**

Answer: Jesus' command for secrecy, often referred to as the "Messianic Secret" in Mark's Gospel, served several strategic purposes. Primarily, it aimed to prevent Him from being prematurely identified as a political or military Messiah, which was the popular expectation among many Jews. Such an identification could have incited rebellion against Roman rule, diverting from His true spiritual mission to establish His Kingdom through suffering and sacrifice. It also helped manage the overwhelming crowds that would gather, allowing Him to focus on teaching and discipling His inner circle. Furthermore, Jesus wanted His identity as the Son of God to be fully understood in the context of His death and resurrection, rather than solely through sensational miracles ([Mark 8:31-33](/mark/8-31-33 "Mark 8:31-33 - Jesus Predicts His Death")).

**What is the significance of Jesus commanding that the girl be given something to eat?**

Answer: This seemingly simple command carries deep significance. First, it served as undeniable proof of the miracle's authenticity. A truly resurrected person would have normal human needs, confirming that the girl was not merely in a trance or temporarily revived, but fully restored to life and health. Second, it highlights Jesus' profound compassion and practical care. His concern extended beyond the dramatic display of power to the girl's immediate, fundamental physical needs, demonstrating His holistic approach to human well-being. It underscores that Jesus cares for the whole person—body, soul, and spirit—and that His miracles lead to a full restoration of life, including its mundane necessities.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 5:43, though seemingly a minor detail, powerfully points to the person and work of Christ. Jesus' authority over death, demonstrated in raising Jairus's daughter, foreshadows His own triumphant resurrection, the ultimate victory over the grave ([Romans 6:9](/romans/6-9 "Romans 6:9 - Christ's Resurrection and Death's Dominion")). The "Messianic Secret" in this verse, where Jesus controls the revelation of His power, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the cross and empty tomb. It was through His suffering and subsequent resurrection, not through political uprising or sensational displays, that His true identity as the Christ was fully revealed and understood ([Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8-11 "Philippians 2:8-11 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). Moreover, Jesus' compassionate command to feed the girl not only confirms her full restoration but also prefigures His ongoing provision for His people, both spiritually and physically. He is the "Bread of Life" who satisfies spiritual hunger ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), and He promises to meet the practical needs of those who seek His Kingdom ([Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom of God")). Thus, this verse beautifully encapsulates Christ's sovereign power, His strategic revelation, and His tender, holistic care for humanity, all culminating in His redemptive work on the cross and His continued sustenance of His church.

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

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: