Lives of Scripture

Jairus, identified as one of the synagogue officials, fell at Jesus' feet and begged Him earnestly to come heal his only daughter, twelve years old and at the point of death (Mark 5:22-23; Luke 8:41-42). Jesus went with him, but the crowd pressing in slowed their progress, and the journey was interrupted further when a woman suffering a twelve-year hemorrhage touched Jesus' cloak and was healed, prompting Jesus to stop and address her directly (Mark 5:24-34). During this delay, messengers arrived from Jairus's house with devastating news: 'Your daughter has died; why trouble the Teacher anymore?' (5:35). Jesus, overhearing, spoke directly to Jairus's fear at the worst possible moment: 'Do not be afraid any longer, only believe' (5:36). At the house, amid mourners already weeping loudly, Jesus said the child was only asleep, and was met with ridicule from those who knew she had died (5:38-40). Taking only Peter, James, John, and the girl's parents into the room, Jesus took her by the hand and said, 'Talitha kum,' 'Little girl, I say to you, get up!' -- and she immediately stood up and walked, to the utter amazement of everyone present (5:41-42). Jesus instructed that she be given something to eat and that no one be told what had happened (5:43). Jairus's desperate faith, tested by delay and what looked like final, irreversible loss, was met by Jesus with both compassion and resurrection power.