Mark 5:39
And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
Mark 5:39 (KJV)
Context
This verse belongs to the account of Jesus raising Jairus’ daughter, recorded in Mark 5:21-43. Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, had begged Jesus to come and heal his dying daughter. On the way, Jesus healed a woman who had suffered from a bleeding condition for twelve years. While Jesus was still speaking to her, messengers arrived with the news that Jairus’ daughter had died. Jesus encouraged Jairus to believe and continued to the house, taking with Him Peter, James, and John (Mark 5:37). When they arrived, they found a noisy commotion—people weeping and wailing greatly, including professional mourners and pipers (Mark 5:38).
Meaning
Jesus entered the house and asked, “Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.” His question challenged the mourners’ reaction, for they grieved as though death were final. His statement, “the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth,” was not a denial of her death. The girl had truly died, as the mourners’ scornful laughter in Mark 5:40 confirms. Rather, Jesus used “sleepeth” as a euphemism for death, viewing it from God’s perspective. For Him, death was not the end but a temporary state from which He could awaken her. This word choice revealed His authority over death and His power to bring life.
Biblical connections
This miracle foreshadows Jesus’ own resurrection. Just as He took the girl by the hand and commanded her to arise (Mark 5:41-42), He would later conquer death through His resurrection, offering eternal life to all who believe in Him. The contrast between the mourners’ hopelessness and Jesus’ calm authority underscores the reality of death and the hope He brings. His words also echo the promise that for those who trust Him, death is not final but a sleep from which they will awaken.
Application
This verse teaches us several practical lessons:
Jesus’ authority over death: Through this miracle, Jesus demonstrated that He is the Lord of life. No situation is beyond His transforming power, even when it appears final and irreversible.
Hope in despair: The mourners believed the girl was beyond hope, but Jesus brought hope into their midst. He reveals that what seems hopeless to humans is temporary in His presence.
Faith and belief: Jesus encouraged Jairus to believe even when the news seemed devastating. This challenges us to trust Jesus when circumstances look bleak or contrary to our expectations.
The resurrection as a foreshadowing: This miracle points to Jesus’ own resurrection and the promise of eternal life for all who believe in Him.
Reflection
Mark 5:39 captures a moment of hope and victory over death through Jesus’ words and actions. It reminds us that Jesus is the source of life, that faith in Him brings hope in the face of despair, and that His power extends even over death itself.
