Mark 5 37

Mark 5:37 kjv

And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

Mark 5:37 nkjv

And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.

Mark 5:37 niv

He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James.

Mark 5:37 esv

And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James.

Mark 5:37 nlt

Then Jesus stopped the crowd and wouldn't let anyone go with him except Peter, James, and John (the brother of James).

Mark 5 verses

Mark 5 37 Meaning

Mark 5:37 records a moment where Jesus deliberately limited the number of witnesses present for a momentous event, the raising of Jairus's daughter from death. It signifies His divine authority to choose and His intention to provide specific, privileged instruction and witness to a select inner circle of His disciples: Peter, James, and John. This selective permission underscores the unique calling and deeper training these three received, preparing them for pivotal roles in His ministry and the foundation of the early church.

Mark 5 37 Context

Mark 5:37 is situated within a dramatic sequence of events demonstrating Jesus's power over chaos, disease, and death. Following His deliverance of the Gerasene demoniac (Mark 5:1-20) and the healing of the woman with a twelve-year hemorrhage (Mark 5:25-34), Jesus continues on His urgent journey to Jairus's house. Jairus, a synagogue official, had pleaded with Jesus to heal his dying daughter. Just as Jesus arrived at the house, messengers reported that the child was dead, making the situation seem hopeless. It is at this critical juncture, where human hope had expired, that Jesus acts with divine purpose. Mark 5:37 specifically highlights Jesus's controlled entry into the intimate space of grief and death, revealing His power to a chosen few, underscoring the gravity and significance of what was about to transpire. The immediate setting is the threshold of Jairus's home, where crowd and commotion were being restricted.

Mark 5 37 Word analysis

• And (Καί, Kai): A simple conjunction linking this action to the preceding narrative. It indicates continuation but also a significant, deliberate shift in action – a turning point from dealing with the general crowd to a private setting.

• He permitted (οὐκ ἀφῆκεν, ouk aphēken - lit. "He did not let"): The verb ἀφῆκεν (aphēken) means "to send away, to let go, to allow." The negative "οὐκ" (ouk) renders it "He did not allow" or "He permitted no one." This is an active and decisive action by Jesus, demonstrating His control and authority over who would witness this extraordinary miracle. It's not a passive allowance, but an intentional restriction.

• no one (οὐδένα, oudena): A strong negative pronoun, emphasizing absolute exclusion. The original Greek conveys a complete and deliberate prohibition for anyone else to follow Him into this private, sacred space.

• to follow Him (ἀκολουθῆσαι αὐτῷ, akolouthēsai autō): The infinitive ἀκολουθῆσαι means "to follow closely," "to accompany," or "to be a disciple of." In this context, it implies entering into the immediate presence and direct observation of Jesus's actions. The active choice to prevent others from following indicates a special revelation about to occur.

• except (εἰ μή, ei mē): This strong restrictive conjunction marks an emphatic exception. It isolates and highlights the unique privilege granted to the specified individuals, making their inclusion stand out against the general exclusion.

• Peter and James and John the brother of James: These three disciples consistently form an "inner circle" in Jesus's ministry.

  • Peter: (Πέτρος, Petros, from Aram. Cephas, meaning "rock"). Always listed first among the inner circle, demonstrating his prominent, albeit sometimes faltering, leadership role. He will be instrumental in the early church's foundation.
  • James (Ἰάκωβος, Iakobos): Son of Zebedee and brother of John. Often named next to Peter, James would be the first apostle martyred (Acts 12:2).
  • John (Ἰωάννης, Iōannēs): Son of Zebedee and brother of James. Known as "the beloved disciple," he would provide profound theological insights and outlive the other apostles, witnessing Christ's ascension and future revelations (Revelation).
  • the brother of James: This familial clarification distinguishes this James from other men named James, such as James the son of Alphaeus or James the brother of the Lord.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "He permitted no one...except Peter and James and John": This phrase highlights Jesus's divine sovereignty in choosing His witnesses. It's not about human qualification or desire, but divine selection for specific purposes. This choice created a special apostolic group for significant events: witnessing power over death (Jairus's daughter), witnessing divine glory (Transfiguration), and sharing His deepest agony (Gethsemane). This selective witnessing deepens their understanding and authority as future evangelists and teachers. The exclusivity implies a sacredness and importance that was not meant for public display, but for the edification of those who would later testify authoritatively.

Mark 5 37 Bonus section

• Symbolism of Witness: The presence of these three particular disciples reinforces their role as primary eyewitnesses to the most profound aspects of Jesus's earthly ministry. Their unified testimony would lend weight and credibility to the post-resurrection gospel message (Acts 1:21-22).
• Progression of Revelation: Jesus's teaching and revelation occurred on various levels: to the crowds, to the seventy, to the twelve, and finally to this intimate trio. This progressive revelation allowed for differentiated understanding and preparedness for apostolic duties.
• Foreshadowing the Kingdom: The resurrection of Jairus's daughter provided a glimpse of the ultimate triumph of Christ over death, a central tenet of the gospel. Peter, James, and John were thus granted a private "sneak peek" into the power of the kingdom.
• The "Sons of Thunder": James and John, also known as "Boanerges" or "Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:17), were known for their fiery temper and ambition (Mark 10:35-45; Luke 9:54). Being allowed to witness these moments of quiet intimacy and divine power might have been part of Jesus's discipleship in shaping their character.
• The Need for Intimacy: This selective permission underscores that true spiritual understanding and deep discipleship often require a level of intimacy and privacy with the Master that transcends mere crowds or superficial following. It calls for a closeness where one witnesses profound realities beyond what is typically perceived.

Mark 5 37 Commentary

Mark 5:37 presents a pivotal instance of Jesus establishing an inner circle among His disciples. His decision to exclude all others, save Peter, James, and John, from witnessing the resurrection of Jairus's daughter was not arbitrary but profoundly intentional. This act demonstrates Jesus's precise management of revelatory events and His careful training of those who would carry the mantle of His mission. By bringing these three into intimate proximity with His power over death, Jesus prepared them for deeper spiritual truths and future leadership. They were given unique glimpses into His divine nature, designed to solidify their faith and equip them as primary witnesses and foundational pillars of the early Church. This pattern of selective revelation highlights that divine knowledge and powerful experiences are not always for general consumption but are often reserved for specific individuals whom God is preparing for greater responsibilities and insights into the mysteries of His kingdom. It illustrates that spiritual intimacy with Jesus comes with a unique privilege and calling.