Mark 5 · a question people ask
Jesus said, "The child is not dead, but is asleep" (5:39). What did he mean?
Mark doesn't explain his words. Here is what Mark says, in order. Jairus said she was "at the point of death" (5:23). People came from his house saying, "Your daughter is dead" (5:35). At the house Jesus said, "Why do you make an uproar and weep? The child is not dead, but is asleep" (5:39) (tap asleep), and "They ridiculed him" (5:40). Then he took her by the hand and said, "Talitha cumi!" (5:41), and "Immediately the girl rose up and walked" (5:42). Luke tells the same scene with "They were ridiculing him, knowing that she was dead" (Luke 8:53) and "Her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately" (Luke 8:55); Matthew has "the girl isn’t dead, but sleeping" (Matthew 9:24). These notes set Luke's and Matthew's words beside Mark's and add nothing to any of them.
The verses
“and begged him much, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Please come and lay your hands on her, that she may be made healthy, and live.””
“While he was still speaking, people came from the synagogue ruler’s house, saying, “Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher any more?””
“When he had entered in, he said to them, “Why do you make an uproar and weep? The child is not dead, but is asleep.” They ridiculed him. But he, having put them all out, took the father of the child, her mother, and those who were with him, and went in where the child was lying. Taking the child by the hand, he said to her, “Talitha cumi!” which means, being interpreted, “Girl, I tell you, get up!” Immediately the girl rose up and walked, for she was twelve years old. They were amazed with great amazement.”
“All were weeping and mourning her, but he said, “Don’t weep. She isn’t dead, but sleeping.” They were ridiculing him, knowing that she was dead. But he put them all outside, and taking her by the hand, he called, saying, “Child, arise!” Her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately. He commanded that something be given to her to eat.”