Raising of Jairus’s Daughter

Overview

• Testament: New
• Book: Matthew
• Chapters: Matthew 9:18-19, 23-26; Mark 5:21-24, 35-43; Luke 8:40-42, 49-56
• Summary: Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, fell at Jesus’s feet and besought him earnestly for his dying daughter. On the way to his house word came that the child had already died, but Jesus said, “Be not afraid, only believe.” He entered the house, took the girl by the hand, and spoke the words “Talitha cumi” — “Damsel, I say unto thee, Arise” — and she arose immediately; and he commanded that something be given her to eat.

Significance

The raising of Jairus’s daughter is a foretaste of the resurrection power that Christ would fully manifest in his own rising from the dead. By taking the inner circle of disciples as witnesses, Jesus established the testimony on more than one mouth and previewed the new-creation authority he would exercise after the cross. The detail of commanding food for the child underscores that she was raised to genuine bodily life, not an apparition.

Key Verses

“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.” — Mark 5:41-42 (KJV)

Cross-References

• Lazarus Raised — the greater raising: a man four days dead, public testimony to Christ’s resurrection power
• Shunammite’s Son Raised — OT type: Elisha raising a child from the dead (2 Kings 4:32-37)
• Resurrection — the event points forward to Christ’s own resurrection
• The Resurrection — the theme of resurrection as the hope of the believer
• Matthew — Synoptic account
• Mark — most detailed account, preserving the Aramaic “Talitha cumi”

Key Figures

• Jesus Christ — raises the child by his word and touch
• Peter — one of the three witnesses permitted to enter the chamber
• James (son of Zebedee) — part of the inner circle present at the raising
• John (Apostle) — part of the inner circle present at the raising