The Audience Mark Is Writing To
Mark’s fast-paced style continues as he writes to Roman readers who respected strength and action. This section, where Jesus heals Jairus’ daughter and the bleeding woman, is a dramatic double miracle—one woven inside the other—to showcase Jesus’ authority over sickness and death.
Key Focus and Jesus’ Character Attribute
This passage emphasizes faith and timing. Jesus is regarded as both compassionate and powerful, unmoved by panic and focused on restoring lives despite delays or interruptions.
📖 Scripture: Mark 5:21–43 (NASB)
When Jesus had crossed over again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him; and He stayed by the seashore. And one of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came, and upon seeing Him, fell at His feet and pleaded with Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live.” And He went off with him; and a large crowd was following Him and pressing in on Him. A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and had endured much at the hands of many physicians and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but instead had become worse— after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. For she had been saying to herself, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.” And immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that power from Him had gone out, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My garments?” And His disciples said to Him, “You see the crowd pressing in on You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” And He looked around to see the woman who had done this. But the woman, fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be cured of your disease.” While He was still speaking, people came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; why bother the Teacher further?” But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid, only believe.” And He allowed no one to accompany Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. They came to the house of the synagogue official, and He saw a commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing. And after entering, He said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child has not died, but is asleep.” And they began laughing at Him. But He sent them all out and took the child’s father and mother, and His own companions, and entered the room where the child was in bed. And taking the child by the hand, He said to her, “Talitha, kum!” (which translated means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). And immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astonished. And He gave them strict orders that no one was to know about this, and He told them to have something given her to eat.
The People Jesus Interacted With
- Jairus, a synagogue leader, publicly asks Jesus for help.
- A woman, privately desperate, reaches out in the crowd.
- The crowd, noisy and curious, presses in but misses the miracle.
- Disciples, confused yet learning.
- Mourners, mocking and doubting.
What Happened in the Scene
Two lives hang in the balance. Jairus urgently pleads for his daughter’s healing, while a bleeding woman quietly reaches for Jesus’ robe. Jesus stops to honor her faith, even as Jairus receives news of his daughter’s death. Yet Jesus presses on, bringing resurrection life where all hope seemed lost.
Mood and Tone
The mood swings from urgent to interrupted, fearful to joyful. Jesus remains calm throughout, anchoring both Jairus and the woman in faith, not fear.
What Jesus Said
- “Who touched My garments?” – He notices personal faith.
- “Daughter, your faith has made you well.” – He restores the woman’s dignity.
- “Do not be afraid, only believe.” – He redirects Jairus from despair to trust.
- “Talitha, kum!” – He speaks life into death.
The Response of the Others
- The disciples are puzzled.
- The woman confesses with trembling and is blessed.
- The mourners mock Jesus.
- Jairus and his wife witness a miracle firsthand.
The Lesson for Us in 2026
- Faith works even in fear – The woman and Jairus were both desperate, but they moved toward Jesus.
- God’s timing is perfect – What feels like a delay is often preparation for a greater miracle.
- Jesus honors bold, persistent belief – Whether in public, like Jairus, or in private, like the woman, He sees your faith.
Don’t panic in the delay. Jesus is never late—and never out of power.
