Mark 5:41-42
41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. 42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.
King James Version
41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished.
New International Version
Miracles
This passage recounts one of Jesus’ most dramatic miracles. The raising of a young girl from the dead. Jesus had been asked to come heal the sick daughter of a synagogue leader named Jairus. However, messengers arrive saying the girl has died.
Jesus encourages Jairus to have faith, and arrives at the house to find mourners wailing in grief. After asserting the girl is only sleeping, Jesus takes just three of His disciples and the girl’s parents into the room with her body.
Jesus then grasps the dead girl’s hand and tenderly speaks “Talitha koum”, an Aramaic phrase meaning “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” Immediately at Jesus’ authoritative command, the girl stands up, fully restored to life.
Mark takes care to note the girl was twelve years old, on the cusp of adolescence. Even one who had been dead hours earlier could instantly and fully obey Jesus’ life-giving decree.
Understandably, all who witnessed this unprecedented miracle were “completely astonished.” In awestruck wonder, they saw Jesus manifest extraordinary power and authority over even death itself through just a touch and a few words.
This miracle offers a powerful glimpse of Jesus’ divine identity and power over mortality. It also provides an incredible portrait of God’s compassion and tender care. Taking the girl’s hand, He directly and gently addressed her, commanding life to return to her body. This tender act of power gloriously shows Jesus’ compassion, love and mercy.
