Mark 5

And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.

And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,

Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:

Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.

And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,

And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.

For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.

And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.

And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.

Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.

And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.

And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.

And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.

And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.

And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.

Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.

And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.

And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,

And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.

And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,

And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,

When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.

For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.

And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.

But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.

And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?

As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

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

And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.

And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.

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

And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

What does Mark 5:42 mean?

Explanation

The verse from Mark 5:42 describes a miraculous event where a young girl, who is twelve years old, is brought back to life by Jesus.

This event happens immediately after Jesus speaks to her, following a request from her father, Jairus, for Jesus to heal her.

The girl arises and begins to walk around, which amazes those who are present.

The "great astonishment" suggests that the witnesses are overwhelmed and find the event incredible because the girl was believed to be dead.

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Historical Context

The story of Jesus raising Jairus' daughter is set in the context of 1st-century Galilee.

During this period, illnesses were often viewed as insurmountable and could result in social isolation due to ceremonial uncleanliness.

The ability to heal or revivify was seen as a sign of divine power or intervention.

In Jewish society, it also had implications for the purity laws, as touching a dead body would render a person unclean according to traditional Jewish law.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives offer varied insights on this passage:

From a Christian standpoint, this event demonstrates Jesus' authority over life and death, bolstering the claim of His divine nature.
It also reflects the concept of "faith in action," as Jairus' faith led him to seek out Jesus, which resulted in the healing of his daughter.
Some theologians might view this event as a foreshadowing of the resurrection, where Jesus has power not only over physical ailments but also over the ultimate enemy, death.

Practical Applications

Practically, this verse can inspire individuals in several ways:

It encourages people to have faith in difficult situations, trusting in a higher power for help and intervention.
The event teaches the value of hope and not giving up on loved ones, even in seemingly hopeless circumstances.
It may also motivate believers to pray for the sick and believe in the possibility of miracles.

Cross-References

Luke 8:54-55: "And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.

And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat."

John 11:43-44: "And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

And he that was dead came forth..."

Acts 9:40: "But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise.

And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the phrase "straightway the damsel arose" (εὐθὺς ἠγέρθη τὸ κοράσιον) uses the word "ἠγέρθη" (ēgerthē) which is the aorist passive indicative of "εγείρω" (egeirō), meaning "to rise" or "to wake up." This conveys an immediate and definitive action.

The word used for "damsel" or "little girl" is "κοράσιον" (korasion), which is a term of endearment, reflecting the girl's youth and innocence.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of raising the dead is not unique to Christianity; it can be found in various ancient myths and religious narratives.

In Egyptian mythology, the god Osiris is brought back to life by Isis.

In Greek mythology, Asclepius was said to have powers to raise the dead.

These stories often focus on the theme of overcoming death, which is a universal human desire and concern.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific perspective, such accounts of resuscitation are typically met with skepticism.

However, cases of apparent death or comas can sometimes be mistaken for actual death, which may lead to a misinterpretation of the individual's condition at the time.

Despite this, the literal interpretation of this miraculous event does not have a basis in scientific evidence as understood by contemporary standards.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have interpreted this passage:

Some argue that it illustrates the kingdom of God breaking into the physical realm, where the rules of nature are subverted by divine authority.
Others consider the importance of Jesus' compassion, emphasizing the personal, relational aspect of the miracle.
Skeptics might suggest the story was developed to symbolize early Christian beliefs rather than being a factual account.
Conservative commentators usually accept the account as a literal historical event, reinforcing the notion of Jesus' divine identity and authority.

Mark 5

Mark 5

What does Mark 5:42 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Mark 5:42 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?