Mark 5:39 (KJV)

What does Mark 5:39 mean?

Mark 5:39 records Jesus entering a house where people are mourning a young girl's death and telling them not to be upset because the girl is not truly dead, but only sleeping. Jesus is challenging their understanding of the situation, suggesting that her condition is not final.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to the mourners gathered at the home of Jairus, whose daughter has just died. His words, “the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth,” use the image of sleep to describe death, hinting at the possibility of her being restored to life. The verse sets the stage for the miracle Jesus is about to perform, showing his unique authority and perspective on life and death.

The Greek behind Mark 5:39

• ἀναστατοῦτε (ado, G2350; transliteration: anastatoute): This word means “making a commotion” or “causing uproar.” Jesus questions why the people are creating such a scene, highlighting the depth of their grief and the expectation of finality in death.
• καθεύδει (sleepeth, G2518; transliteration: katheudei): The Greek word for “sleep” is often used as a gentle metaphor for death in the New Testament. Here, it signals that Jesus sees death differently than the mourners do, implying that her state is temporary and reversible.

Why Mark 5:39 matters

• Mark 5:39 clarifies that Jesus does not see death as the end, but as something that can be overcome, which is a key theme in his ministry.
• The verse helps the reader understand the contrast between the mourners’ hopelessness and Jesus’ confidence, preparing for the miracle of raising the girl.
• By using the language of sleep, Jesus introduces a new way of thinking about death that would shape Christian hope and teaching in the years to come.