The One True Healer Summary and Goal In Mark s account of two intertwined miraculous healings, we are reminded that Jesus has the power to heal any and all suffering. From a wealthy, highly esteemed religious figure whose daughter was on her deathbed, to a nameless, penniless, unclean woman Jesus met both with His healing touch. Jesus brought hope, healing, and new life to two very desperate people. Main Passages Mark 5:21-43 Session Outline 1. Jesus Brings Hope to the Suffering (Mark 5:21-24) 2. Jesus Brings Healing to the Weak (Mark 5:25-34) 3. Jesus Brings Life From Death (Mark 5:35-43) Theological Theme In the kingdom of God, no one is out of Jesus reach to heal and restore. From the lowest of the low to the esteemed and powerful, all who fall at the feet of Jesus will find hope and new life. Christ Connection Only Christ has the power to bring true healing and life from death. Because He died and was raised, we, too, can experience the wholeness of new life in Christ. Missional Application Just as Christ met us in our suffering and hopelessness, we, too, take the healing touch of Christ into a lost and dying world. 1 Leader Guide
Historical Context of Mark Purpose Mark s Gospel is a narrative about Jesus. Mark identified his theme in the first verse: the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. That Jesus is the divine Son of God is the major emphasis of his Gospel. God announced it at Jesus baptism in Mark 1:11. Demons and unclean spirits recognized and acknowledged it in 3:11 and 5:7. God reaffirmed it at the transfiguration in 9:7. Jesus taught it parabolically in 12:1-12, hinted at it in 13:32, and confessed it directly in 14:61-62. Finally, the Roman centurion confessed it openly and without qualification in 15:39. Thus Mark s purpose was to summon people to repent and respond in faith to the good news of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God (Mark 1:1,15). Author The Gospel of Mark is anonymous. Eusebius, the early church historian, writing in a.d. 326, preserved the words of Papias, an early church father. Papias quoted the elder, probably John, as saying that Mark recorded Peter s preaching about the things Jesus said and did, but not in order. Thus, Mark was considered the author of this Gospel even in the first century. Setting According to the early church fathers, Mark wrote his Gospel in Rome just before or just after Peter s martyrdom. Further confirmation of the Roman origin of Mark s Gospel is found in Mark 15:21 where Mark noted that Simon, a Cyrenian who carried Jesus cross, was the father of Alexander and Rufus, men apparently known to the believers in Rome. Because Mark wrote primarily for Roman Gentiles, he explained Jewish customs, translated Aramaic words and phrases into Greek, used Latin terms rather than their Greek equivalents, and rarely quoted from the OT. Most Bible scholars are convinced that Mark was the earliest Gospel and served as one of the sources for Matthew and Luke. Key Themes Many concepts of the Messiah existed in Jesus day, and several individuals laid claim to the title. What Mark contributes is a clarification of the concept of Messiah and a redefining of the term. Peter s insightful confession at Caesarea Philippi in 8:29 became the turning point at which Jesus began to explain that the divine conception of the Messiah involved rejection, suffering, death, and then resurrection (Mark 8:31). Mark also shows us the human side of Jesus. In fact, more than the other Gospel writers, Mark emphasizes Jesus human side and His emotions. Thus Mark gives us a strong picture of both the humanity and the divinity of Jesus. Special Features Mark s Gospel emphasizes actions and deeds. Jesus is on the go healing, casting out demons, performing miracles, hurrying from place to place, and teaching. In Mark, everything happens immediately. As soon as one episode ends, another begins. The rapid pace slows down when Jesus enters Jerusalem (Mark 11:1). Thereafter, events are marked by days, and His final day by hours. Date of My Bible Study: 3
3 Session Plan The One True Healer Introduction Have you ever found yourself in such desperation? Did that experience shake or solidify your faith? How do moments of suffering cause you to react? How does the suffering of others particularly those you care about cause you to respond? Jesus meets every kind of person in need of healing where they re at. Those in this account of Mark s Gospel represented two ends of the social spectrum, and Jesus simultaneously met both of their needs. Reading the interwoven stories of healing together brings insight to each. The height of Jairus s position and social status highlights the nameless woman s lowly status and outcast position. Jesus paused in helping a wealthy man of high social status to help a poor, unclean woman. Only His touch was able to save them from their respective suffering. Only He had the power to give hope, healing, and new life. 1. Jesus Brings Hope to the Suffering (Mark 5:21-24) As Jesus turned to go with Jairus, Jairus must have been filled with hope. There was hope for Jairus s daughter, who would have otherwise died had Jesus not agreed to go to her. Jesus brought hope for life, even at death s doorstep. Yet we are also reminded that Jesus brought hope to Jairus himself, who was certainly suffering in his own right as he watched his young daughter drift toward death with no power to save her. He was completely helpless in a hopeless situation; yet with Jesus turning to go to his house, he was given hope. Is there a situation in your own life that feels hopeless? Where do you need to fall at Jesus feet and beg that He bring new life? Who do you know who is currently suffering? How do you also feel the weight of their situation? What hope does the gospel bring to both of your experiences? 4 Leader Guide
2. Jesus Brings Healing to the Weak (Mark 5:25-34) Juxtaposed with the esteemed religious leader, Jairus, we are introduced to this nameless woman. Whereas Jairus was likely a man of wealth, this woman was very poor. She had spent all she had seeing physicians, trying anything possible to find healing yet, she only got worse. For twelve years she had been bleeding. For twelve years she had suffered, and she had reached the end of her rope. She had reached the point of desperation that spilled over into faith; she knew what she had to do. If only she could touch Jesus robe even just the hem possibly she would be healed. Just as the woman believed, she was healed instantly after reaching out for Jesus robe. For Further Discussion What keeps us from falling at Jesus feet and telling Him the whole truth? Do you have the kind of faith that reaches out, even for the hem of Jesus robe? If not, what keeps you from trusting that Jesus has the power to bring healing to your hurt? Why do you think Jesus insisted on knowing who touched Him? 3. Jesus Brings Life From Death (Mark 5:35-43) When Jesus arrived at Jairus s house, the mood was chaotic and mournful. People were mourning in a manner that indicated that, from their perspectives, the little girl was already dead. Jesus spoke in verse 39 directly to the people in the midst of their mourning, Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but sleeping. Jesus statement only garnered laughs from the onlookers. Yet, with a single grasp of her hand and a simple command from Jesus, Talitha cumi little girl, get up, everything was reversed. He could have healed the girl without touching her. He could have healed her simply at His word. But He chose to touch her. She instantly got up and began to walk around. For Further Discussion How does this account point us to the resurrection? What deeper hope does it give us? When was a time you were waiting on God to act? How have seasons of waiting affected your faith? What is our response when Jesus gives to someone else the thing we are waiting on? Conclusion Where are you most currently in need of Jesus healing touch in your life or in the life of another? Whose story in these accounts do you most resonate with? Why? How do these very different reports of healing speak to Jesus character? What are the implications for how His followers should interact with different needy people they meet? For Further Discussion How do these stories strengthen your faith? How do they propel you to extend and leverage your faith for others? Session 3 5
Expanded Session Content 3 The One True Healer Introduction In the 2002 film John Q., Denzel Washington plays a man whose son suffers from a heart disorder and desperately needs a transplant. Due to insurance complications, the son cannot be placed on the transplant list and will die without a new heart. As any parent would be, John is desperate to save his son s life by any means necessary. Having lost all hope, he takes drastic measures and holds the hospital hostage until the doctors agree to put his son s name on the list. He even plans to take his own life so that his heart could be given to his son. At the last minute, a donor is found, the son is given a new heart, and John lives to see his son live. While John certainly went to the most extreme solution for his situation, the story illustrates the lengths to which a parent will go for their child and the things people will do in desperate times. When we find ourselves in circumstances that we are powerless to change, we often act in more drastic ways than normal. Certainly, the people in the biblical account today were desperate and did everything they could to get to their last hope in their respective situations. Have you ever found yourself in such desperation? Did that experience shake or solidify your faith? How do moments of suffering cause you to react? How does the suffering of others particularly those you care about cause you to respond? Session Summary Jesus had become widely known at this point in Mark s Gospel. He had been healing, exorcising demons, and freeing people from the bonds of darkness. The two-part account of healing in today s session demonstrates two very different people with two very different experiences who encountered the same Jesus. Jesus meets every kind of person in need of healing where they re at. Those in this account represented two ends of the social spectrum, and Jesus 6 Leader Guide
simultaneously met both of their needs. Reading the interwoven stories of healing together brings insight to each. The height of Jairus s position and social status highlights the nameless woman s lowly status and outcast position. Jesus paused in helping a wealthy man of high social status to help a poor, unclean woman. Only His touch was able to save them from their respective suffering. Only He had the power to give hope, healing, and new life. 1. Jesus Brings Hope to the Suffering (Mark 5:21-24) Passing back to the other side of Galilee, Jesus was once again greeted by a crowd. Mark began this two-part healing account with the story of Jairus. According to the text, Jairus was a leader in the synagogue. He was likely well known in the vicinity, wealthy, esteemed, and held a substantial position as a religious and community leader. He, too, had probably heard of Jesus fame and supernatural ability to heal. His twelveyear-old daughter (her age is revealed in v. 42) was at home dying. He was desperate, as any parent would be in his situation. Mark described Jairus as falling down at Jesus feet and begging for Jesus help to heal his daughter. His daughter s condition had left him so desperate that his money, position, and power were of no consequence at that moment. Put yourself in Jairus s position. What might he have been thinking and feeling in that moment? How do you approach Jesus in moments of desperation, when things are out of your control? Whole Wellness The Greek word translated here as get well is the word sōz. It is used throughout the New Testament, meaning, to save or to rescue. It indicates something greater than just physical healing, but a wholeness that encompasses the whole person. This use of the word is adopted both here and in the following account of the woman who is hemorrhaging (v. 28, 34). No doubt, Jairus was desperate. The situation was out of his control. He had no ability to heal his daughter who was on the brink of death. And yet, somewhere in the midst of his desperation his falling down and begging he seemed to at least have some amount of faith that Jesus would be able to heal his daughter. He said in verse 23, Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live. Jairus knew that a touch from Jesus would be enough to save his daughter. He knew that if there was any hope for her to live, Jesus would have to go immediately to her side. Jairus likely breathed a great sigh of relief when Jesus agreed to go with him and to lay hands on his daughter. As Jesus turned to go with Jairus, Jairus must have been filled with hope. There was hope for Jairus s daughter, who would have otherwise died had Jesus not agreed to go to her. Jesus brought hope for life, even at death s doorstep. Yet we are also reminded that Jesus brought hope to Jairus himself, who was certainly suffering in his own right as he watched his Session 3 7
young daughter drift toward death with no power to save her. He was completely helpless in a hopeless situation; yet with Jesus turning to go to his house, he was given hope. Is there a situation in your own life that feels hopeless? Where do you need to fall at Jesus feet and beg that He bring new life? Who do you know who is currently suffering? How do you also feel the weight of their situation? What hope does the gospel bring to both of your experiences? This first portion of Jairus s story reminds us as believers that Jesus brings hope to those who suffer and to those who walk with them. At times in our lives, we are the sick little girl in need of a holy, healing touch from Jesus. At other times, we are Jairus walking with and caring for someone who suffers deeply. At both times, we need the hope of Jesus to speak directly into our circumstances. At both times, we are powerless to ease pain and suffering in the way that only Jesus can. Cleanliness Laws Leviticus 15:25-28 gives detailed instructions for women who had an extended discharge of blood. For however long she suffered from such a condition, everything she touched, and everyone she came into contact with, would be made unclean. Therefore, everyone and everything would have to be ritually cleaned. 2. Jesus Brings Healing to the Weak (Mark 5:25-34) Just as Jesus turned to go with Jairus to his house where his daughter was dying, the story is interrupted. The crowd continued to follow Jesus as He made His way to the girl. At that moment, there is a pause on Jairus s story to introduce a woman at the other end of the social spectrum. Juxtaposed with the esteemed religious leader, Jairus, we are introduced to this nameless woman. Whereas Jairus was likely a man of wealth, this woman was very poor. She had spent all she had seeing physicians, trying anything possible to find healing yet, she only got worse. For twelve years she had been bleeding. For twelve years she had suffered, and she had reached the end of her rope. The woman was considered unclean because of her hemorrhaging. Everything and everyone she touched was therefore unclean for twelve years! Not only did the woman suffer physically, but she also suffered socially. For twelve years, she likely lived in isolation and was ostracized from society because she was unclean. She had spent everything she had just trying to be healed. Until she was healed, she wouldn t have community or companionship. She was desperate. She had reached the point of desperation that spilled over into faith; she knew what she had to do. If only she could touch Jesus robe even just the hem possibly she would be healed. She had likely heard of the miraculous healings that He had performed. No one would have to know. After all, there were so many people in the crowd that day. She could slip in and out before anyone saw that she was there. 8 Leader Guide
Just as the woman believed, she was healed instantly after reaching out for Jesus robe. But that wasn t enough for Jesus. He knew someone had touched Him. He felt that power had gone out from him, so He began looking for who had touched Him. His disciples thought it was pointless to try and figure out who touched Him there were people everywhere. It could have been anyone. Jesus knew someone had reached for Him on purpose, though. Do you have the kind of faith that reaches out, even for the hem of Jesus robe? If not, what keeps you from trusting that Jesus has the power to bring healing to your hurt? Why do you think Jesus insisted on knowing who touched Him? After Jesus saw who touched Him, the woman came forward and fell at His feet. Verse 33 tells us that she told Jesus the whole truth. The fact is, Jesus already knew the whole truth. He knew every pain, every struggle, every frustration, every ounce of grief that she had been walking around with for twelve years. All of her suffering was healed in a touch. In touching Jesus, by law, she made Him unclean. An unclean person made a clean person unclean. And yet the miracle was that, in her case, the clean person made the unclean person clean once again. What keeps us from falling at Jesus feet and telling Him the whole truth? Whether or not we have suffered physically for many years as this woman had, we all come to Christ in the same position. We are unwell and in need of the Healer. Yet, all too often we want the healing without laying before Him the whole truth. We want the healing more than we want the Healer. This woman went desperately to Jesus because she needed physical healing, but she left being made whole physically and spiritually. The woman s faith, according to verse 34, was the root of her healing. The word used here again (translated saved in the CSB) is sōzō which goes beyond physical healing. This was a spiritual healing, too. She was made whole again and could live in peace. She was no longer on the outside of society looking in. Jesus called her daughter. A woman who had likely been separated from her family because of her condition could rejoin her own community. A woman who had lived in isolation could once again be known. 3. Jesus Brings Life From Death (Mark 5:35-43) Following the account of the woman, Mark resumed Jairus s story, after things had taken a turn for the worse. While Jesus had been interacting Session 3 9
with the unnamed woman, people came back to inform Jairus that his daughter had already died. There was no need for Jesus to go to his house anymore because healing was no longer possible by their assessment. Having overheard their report, Jesus plan was unchanged. He responded in verse 36 to Jairus and those from his house, Don t be afraid. Only believe. Yet, from their perspective, the situation had gone from bad to impossible she was beyond healing. After hearing this report even having received Jesus reassurance about the situation Jairus had to have been crushed. Just moments before, he had been filled with hope that Jesus the great Healer would go to his house and heal his daughter. But Jesus had paused to help someone else. One woman s freedom and healing had to have caused Jairus s pain and frustration. Jesus healed the woman when He was supposed to be on His way to heal the little girl. When was a time you were waiting on God to act? How have seasons of waiting affected your faith? What is our response when Jesus gives to someone else the thing we are waiting on? Truly Dead? Doubters have questioned this story on account of whether or not the little girl was actually ever dead. Some have suggested that perhaps she was in a coma; or, for some other reason the people had misunderstood her medical condition, whereas Jesus knew better. According to R.T. France, the language used in this account could allow for something like a coma to be the issue. However, Matthew s account using the same language indicated that the girl was already dead when Jairus first confronted Jesus. The context here suggests that, the girl s death is real, but temporary. 1 When Jesus arrived at Jairus s house, the mood was chaotic and mournful. People were wailing and mourning in a manner that indicated that, from their perspectives, the little girl was already dead. Jesus spoke in verse 39 directly to the people in the midst of their mourning, Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but sleeping. Jesus statement only garnered laughs from the onlookers. They could not fathom what He said to be true. She was dead they knew it. Yet, with a single grasp of her hand and a simple command from Jesus, Talitha cumi little girl, get up, everything was reversed. Again, the threat of Jesus becoming unclean was a reality in His touching a corpse (Num 19:11-13). But just like with the woman, this threat was of no concern to Jesus. He could have healed the girl without touching her. He could have healed her simply at His word. But He chose to touch her. She instantly got up and began to walk around. How does this account point us to the resurrection? What deeper hope does it give us? In this healing miracle, we are reminded not only of the hope of an ill person being made well again, but also of the dead being brought to life. We are reminded once again of Jesus ultimate power and authority over all things even death. From the perspective of life after the cross, one can t help but see a foretaste of hope that Jesus would eventually 10 Leader Guide
demonstrate through His own death and resurrection. Jairus, his daughter, the disciples, and the others who witnessed the miracle might not have yet realized the significance, but they would. Death would not have the final word. Only Jesus Christ brings life from death. Conclusion In this two-part healing account in Mark 5, we are reminded that Jesus has the power to heal any and all suffering. From a wealthy, highly esteemed religious figure whose daughter was on her deathbed to a nameless, penniless, unclean woman Jesus met both with His healing touch. Even when death seemed to conquer all, Jesus brought new life. Though both should have made Jesus unclean, He offered wholeness and healing. Only Jesus could bring hope to the suffering of Jairus, who so desperately wanted his daughter to be healed. Only Jesus could bring healing to the weak and worn-down woman, who had suffered all-too-long from her continual bleeding. Only Jesus could bring new life from a dead girl who was beyond saving. Only Jesus by His healing touch and saving grace gives life and hope in the midst of our desperation. Where are you most currently in need of Jesus healing touch in your life or in the life of another? Whose story in these accounts do you most resonate with? Why? How do these very different reports of healing speak to Jesus character? What are the implications for how His followers should interact with different needy people they meet? How do these stories strengthen your faith? How do they propel you to extend and leverage your faith for others? Prayer of Response Pray and thank God for the healing touch of Jesus that extends to all people. Submit your need to Him, bringing the whole truth and trusting that He will meet your need. Additional Resources Trusting God by Jerry Bridges Suffering by Paul David Tripp God s Grace in Your Suffering by David Powlison Session 3 11
For Next Week Session Title --Open Eyes, Open Ears Main Passages --Mark 7:31-37 Session Outline 1. Jesus Meets us Personally and Powerfully (Mark 7:31-34) 2. Jesus Gives us Ears to Hear and a Message to Speak (Mark 7:35) 3. Jesus Does All Things Well (Mark 7:36-37) Memorize Don t be afraid. Only believe. - Mark 5:36b Daily Readings --Monday - Mark 6:30-44 --Tuesday - Mark 6:45-52 --Wednesday - Mark 6:53-56 --Thursday - Mark 7:14-23 --Friday - Mark 7:24-30 --Saturday - Mark 7:31-37 12 Leader Guide
Extended Commentary Mark 5:21-43 5:21. Jesus and his disciples crossed back across Lake Galilee, probably returning to Capernaum, Jesus base of ministry. Note the contrast between two different shores of the lake. Crowds were gathered on both shores. One group urged Jesus to leave, while the other welcomed him. 5:22-24. Jairus was a synagogue ruler. This was a respected and honored position in the community. He did not serve as a priest, but it was his responsibility to take care of the administrative details of the synagogue. This included making arrangements for public worship and inviting visitors to teach. Despite his high position, Jairus cast his dignity aside and bowed at the feet of Jesus. His twelve-year-old daughter was dying. Note Jairus s description of her as his little daughter. A twelve-year-old is not little. However, this shows how precious she was to him. Jairus knew that if Jesus would come and touch his daughter, she would live. Jesus needed no convincing. He went with Jairus, and the crowds followed. 5:25. A woman was in the crowd that followed Jesus. Mark states that she had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. It is not clear what her bleeding was. Some suggest a uterine discharge. Others suggest that this was not a continual bleeding but excessive bleeding that had continued off and on for twelve years. She probably suffered from physical exhaustion as well and possibly pain. An even greater source of pain would have been the interruption of daily social activity because of her disease. Anyone coming in contact with her would be made ceremonially unclean (Lev. 15:25-30). She herself was unclean and would not be allowed to participate in communal feasts and sacrifices. She was just as much an outcast as the demon-possessed man had been. 5:26. Adding to the woman s physical disorder was her financial distress. For twelve years she had made the round of doctors, and none of them could help her. Many of the cures listed in the Talmud and probably tried on her such as carrying the ashes of an ostrich egg in a cloth would seem like superstitious magic to us. She did not get better but only grew worse. 5:27-29. This woman had heard about Jesus, and she acted upon what she had heard. She desired to touch his clothes, believing that this would heal her. Some interpreters believe this was an act of humility on her part that she did not want to disturb Jesus on his mission. Some compare her to the centurion (Matt. 8:8), who asked Jesus to give the word of command so his servant would be healed. Others see this as a demonstration of the belief that a holy person s clothes carried power. This woman was an outcast. Because of her condition, she would not have been allowed to approach Jesus. To talk to him would be unthinkable. So she approached him in Session 3 13
the only way she could secretly. And it was enough. At once, she was freed from her distress. 5:30. This question has puzzled many people. Did Jesus not know who touched him? Doesn t he know everything? Why did power go out from him when it did not go out from the apostles when they healed in the Book of Acts? There are some things that Jesus did not know, such as the day and hour of his return. Some interpreters feel that Jesus did know who touched him, but he did not want her to remain anonymous. Faith always requires confession. This would allow him to restore her to community as well. 5:31-32. The disciples were astounded that Jesus even asked such a question. The Lord, however, would not be deterred. 5:33. Under the ceremonial law of the Jews, this woman was considered unclean. She had made Jesus unclean by touching him. It was no wonder that she came to him trembling with fear. Like Jairus and the demon-possessed man, though, she knew her place was at his feet. 5:34. The first thing we note in this verse is that Jesus called her daughter, a word used only in this passage in the New Testament. He claimed the same special relationship with her that Jairus had with his little daughter infinitely precious, unbearably sorrowful at the thought of loss. She had come to him as an outcast, fearful of rebuke because of her status. Instead, she had found not only physical healing but spiritual healing as well. Your faith has healed you. Not magic or superstition, but faith in the person of Jesus had healed her. The word for healed is the same as the word for saved, indicating the physical and spiritual aspects of her healing. Go in peace. Only now could she go in peace a bodily peace from which all traces of disease had been removed and a spiritual peace in which all hostilities with God had been removed through the work of Christ. We learn something, as well, from what is not said in this section. Jesus did not rebuke the woman for touching him. As with the Sabbath laws, Jesus was giving the Jews a message about his kingdom. If Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath, then he is Lord of the purity laws as well. 5:35-36. We now return to Jairus and his daughter. Even while Jesus was speaking to the woman he had just healed, men came up to Jairus and told him his daughter had died. What must have gone through this synagogue ruler s mind? Shock, sorrow, maybe even bitterness that this woman had been healed at the same time that his own daughter had died. Jesus, who knew what he was about to do, comforted and encouraged Jairus. He told him to just believe. The Greek monon pisteue denotes continued action. Jesus was asking Jairus for more than a single act of belief. He was telling him to have a continuous, 14 Leader Guide
steady, ongoing faith a no-matter-what type of faith, the type all Christians are called to exhibit. 5:37. Jesus took with him the inner circle of the twelve apostles to see Jairus s daughter. These three Peter, John, and James are also mentioned at the Transfiguration and in Gethsemane. These were important events that revealed something of Jesus nature. 5:38. When Jesus arrived upon the scene, the professional mourners were already there. Mourning customs among the Jews included wailers, flute players, the rending of clothes, and the tearing of hair. Even the poorest person was required to hire at least one mourner and two flute players. Since Jairus was a synagogue ruler, there were probably several of these mourners on the scene when Jesus arrived. 5:39. The word asleep can sometimes mean dead. Jesus used the same word of Lazarus in John 11. We often speak euphemistically of death as sleep, resting, or passing on. These words point to a deeper spiritual meaning that death is not permanent. Jesus, however, in his statement to those gathered, was clearly saying that the girl was asleep. 5:40. The mourners laughter at this point seems out of place. If they were truly grieving and expressing concern for the family, we would expect them to be angry or outraged over the hurt being done to the family. But they laughed. It was the laugh of unbelief, and this unbelief kept them from witnessing Jesus great miracle. He ordered them all out of the house. Jesus never performed for the unbelieving crowds. The only ones who would witness this miracle were three of his disciples, Jairus, and Jairus s wife. 5:41. In another blow to the purity laws, Jesus took the dead girl s hand. He was not concerned with ritual defilement. With his touch, all that denies is gone. Talitha cumi ( child arise ). Mark s Gospel is the only one that uses these Aramaic words. This is probably because this account of Jesus miracle came directly to Mark from the apostle Peter. Peter was impressed with Jesus tenderness, his lack of concern about the purity laws, and his power. 5:42-43. Jesus, who had already proved his authority over disease and demons, now proved his authority over death. Immediately, the girl s life was restored. Jesus told those gathered not to tell anyone. He was again in Jewish territory where his messiahship could be easily misconstrued and misunderstood. He told the girl s parents to give her something to eat. Jesus is concerned about the physical dimension of our lives. 2 References 1. France, R.T. The Gospel of Mark. NIGTC. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2002. 2. Anders, Max E. Mark. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 1998. Session 3 15