All: The life of Jesus

The life of Jesus

Raising of Jairus's Daughter

MiracleMiracles

In short

Galilean ministry, at Capernaum (or nearby); interleaved with the healing of the woman with the issue of blood

Citations: Matthew 9:18-19,23-26 || Mark 5:22-24,35-43 || Luke 8:41-42,49-56 Setting: Jairus, a synagogue ruler, comes to Jesus pleading for his 12-year-old daughter (Mrk + Luk detail) who is dying. As Jesus goes with him, the woman-with-the-issue-of-blood is healed (interleaved miracle).

Narrative

While Jesus is still en route to Jairus's house, messengers arrive: "Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher any more?" Jesus to Jairus: "Don't be afraid. Only believe, and she will be healed."

At the house: mourners + flute players + crowd weeping. Jesus: "Don't make any noise; the girl isn't dead, but is asleep." Crowd laughs scornfully. Jesus puts them all out except parents + Peter, James, John.

Jesus takes the girl's hand. Mark preserves the Aramaic: "Talitha, koum!", translated "Girl, get up!" (Mark 5:41). She arises + walks. Jesus instructs: give her something to eat. He charges the parents to tell no one.

Theological significance

Authority over death, the first NT resurrection-miracle (chronologically; the widow of Nain's son at Luke 7:11-17 may be earlier-or-later depending on harmonization). Establishes Jesus's prerogative over death itself.

"Not dead but asleep", Jesus's euphemism (the girl IS dead by ordinary standards but Jesus speaks of death as sleep, a future-resurrection-anticipating frame). Same language at Lazarus (John 11:11-14). Paul later uses "those who sleep" for the dead (1 Thessalonians 4:13-15).

Faith parallel + interleaving, the woman-with-issue-of-blood story interrupts the Jairus story. Both involve 12-year-spans (her 12-year illness; Jairus's 12-year-old daughter). Both involve faith (her touch of garment; Jairus's coming-to-Jesus). The interleaving teaches: faith works in different forms; Jesus has time for both, even when delay seems costly.

Inner-circle pattern, only Peter, James, John witness (same as transfiguration, Gethsemane, and Lazarus's tomb). Pattern of Jesus's most intimate ministry circle.

Aramaic phrase preserved, Mark's "Talitha, koum" is one of a few Aramaic phrases preserved in the Greek NT (also "Ephphatha" Mark 7:34 in deaf-mute healing; "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani" Mark 15:34 at cross). Argues for the eyewitness origin / authentic Jesus voice.

Sources, trace every one

Every cited verse, in full. Tap any reference to open it in the reader.

  • Matthew 9:18bsb

    While Jesus was saying these things, a synagogue leader came and knelt before Him. “My daughter has just died,” he said. “But come and place Your hand on her, and she will live.”

  • Mark 5:22bsb

    A synagogue leader named Jairus arrived, and seeing Jesus, he fell at His feet

  • Luke 8:41bsb

    Just then a synagogue leader named Jairus came and fell at Jesus’ feet. He begged Him to come to his house,

On contested questions we show every major view, attributed and cited, and pick no winner. Answers are synthesized from primary sources, truth you can trace, not opinion.

Raising of Jairus's Daughter · Bubble Bible