Mark 5 41

Mark 5:41 kjv

And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

Mark 5:41 nkjv

Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise."

Mark 5:41 niv

He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" (which means "Little girl, I say to you, get up!").

Mark 5:41 esv

Taking her by the hand he said to her, "Talitha cumi," which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise."

Mark 5:41 nlt

Holding her hand, he said to her, "Talitha koum," which means "Little girl, get up!"

Mark 5 verses

Mark 5 41 Meaning

Mark 5:41 vividly portrays Jesus's compassionate and authoritative power over death. By taking the deceased girl's hand and speaking a tender yet potent Aramaic command, "Talitha cumi," which means "Little girl, I say to you, arise," Jesus unequivocally demonstrates His divine authority to restore life, defeating the power of death and ushering in immediate restoration. This intimate and direct act reveals Jesus as the Lord of life, bringing healing and hope where only sorrow and despair existed.

Mark 5 41 Context

Mark 5:41 is the triumphant culmination of the raising of Jairus's daughter. Jesus, en route to heal the synagogue leader's critically ill 12-year-old daughter, is delayed by the healing of a woman suffering from a chronic blood flow. During this interruption, messengers arrive with the devastating news that the girl has died. Despite the crowd's mournful reaction and their belief that hope is lost, Jesus immediately tells Jairus, "Do not fear, only believe." He then enters the house, permitting only Peter, James, John, and the girl's parents to be present. In the death-filled room, Jesus explicitly states that the girl is "not dead but sleeping," drawing ridicule. The act in Mark 5:41 is His powerful response, directly counteracting the pervasive grief and disbelief with a clear demonstration of divine life. This miracle, like others in Mark's Gospel, underscores Jesus's authority not just over illness and demons, but supremely over death itself, yet often in a private setting due to the "Messianic secret" theme where Jesus commands secrecy regarding His supernatural deeds. Historically and culturally, death was seen as the ultimate end and a source of defilement; Jesus's action profoundly challenges these perceptions by stepping into death's domain and bringing forth life with a simple command and touch, showing that true life resides within Him.

Mark 5 41 Word analysis

• And taking: Denotes a deliberate and purposeful action by Jesus. It highlights His initiative and direct engagement with the situation.
• the child: Refers to a "little girl" (paidion in Greek), emphasizing her youth and vulnerability, which heightens the miracle's impact.
• by the hand: This gesture is significant. In Jewish culture, touching a dead body made one ceremonially unclean (Num 19:11). Jesus's action bypasses or transcends this defilement, demonstrating His authority over ritual law and death itself. It also signifies a tender, personal connection and transfer of power.
• He said to her: Indicates a direct address and a personal command, emphasizing His authority over death is exercised through His word.
• Talitha cumi!: This is an Aramaic phrase preserved in the Greek text of Mark's Gospel.
  • Talitha (ταλιθα): An Aramaic diminutive for "little girl" or "young lamb," conveying a sense of tender affection and endearment. It’s a gentle, personal address to someone seemingly gone.
  • cumi! (κουμ): An Aramaic imperative, meaning "arise!" or "get up!" It is a forceful, authoritative command, yet perfectly tailored to the "little girl." This single word encapsulates divine power.
• which translated means: Mark's Gospel was primarily written for a Gentile audience who would not understand Aramaic. This parenthetical translation underscores the authenticity of Jesus's very words while ensuring His message is clear to all hearers, validating the original Aramaic phrase's inclusion.
• 'Little girl, I say to you, arise.': This translation provides the meaning of Jesus's Aramaic command.
  • Little girl: Reiteration of the tender, personal address.
  • I say to you: Reinforces the personal, direct, and authoritative nature of the command emanating from Jesus's divine person. It implies a sovereign will and power.
  • arise: The command for physical awakening from the state of death. It implies not just regaining life but also the strength to get up and act.

Words-Group analysis

• "And taking the child by the hand, He said to her": This phrase paints a picture of intimate, personal, and compassionate engagement. Jesus isn't merely observing; He is actively reaching out, breaking the barrier of death, and communicating directly with the deceased. It conveys warmth and authority working hand-in-hand.
• "'Talitha cumi!' which translated means, 'Little girl, I say to you, arise.'": This entire statement is profoundly significant. The preservation of the original Aramaic underscores the direct, immediate, and powerful utterance of Jesus's voice – the very voice that can call life back from death. The tender "Talitha" followed by the authoritative "cumi" showcases Jesus's unique blend of divine tenderness and omnipotent power. The immediate translation reinforces its critical importance for Mark's audience to understand that death is not the final word in the presence of the Lord of Life.

Mark 5 41 Bonus section

The choice of "Talitha" (a diminutive, "little lamb" or "little ewe-lamb") may also carry subtle theological significance beyond mere tenderness, possibly alluding to Christ as the Lamb of God who takes away sin and conquers death, though this connection is not explicit. The fact that only Peter, James, and John were present, along with the parents, hints at the intimate and foundational nature of this miracle, reinforcing Jesus's instruction for secrecy immediately afterwards, part of the broader "Messianic Secret" theme in Mark where Jesus controls the revelation of His divine identity and power until His resurrection. This miracle, alongside the woman with the flow of blood (who had been ill for 12 years), occurring in conjunction with the 12-year-old girl, may subtly connect healing and new life with the symbolism of the number twelve, representing Israel and God's perfect government and order. This is one of three recorded instances in the Gospels where Jesus directly raises someone from the dead, alongside the son of the widow of Nain (Lk 7) and Lazarus (Jn 11), each demonstrating increasing stages of decay to emphasize Jesus's limitless power over death regardless of its duration.

Mark 5 41 Commentary

Mark 5:41 is a succinct yet immensely powerful verse, serving as the dramatic climax of Jairus's narrative. It reveals Jesus not merely as a healer of diseases, but as the conquering Lord over death itself. His gentle touch on the "child's hand" is profound; it signifies a compassionate bridge from life to lifelessness, defying ritual impurity laws to bring about an even greater cleansing and life. The preservation of the Aramaic "Talitha cumi!" (Little girl, arise!) is critical. It grounds the miracle in the very words of Jesus, capturing the tender yet unyielding authority that emanated from Him. The "little girl" (Talitha) speaks to Jesus's personal and caring nature, while "cumi" (arise!) is the sovereign decree of God manifested through His Son. This direct command bypasses any need for ritual, prayer, or extensive exertion; life flows instantaneously from Jesus's very being. The instant obedience of death to His word signifies His ultimate triumph and foreshadows His own resurrection. This episode provides profound assurance that for Jesus, death is but a temporary sleep, subject to His divine call, offering immense hope to all who believe in His life-giving power.