And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

MARK 5:41KJV
Know the Bible

Mark 5:41 (KJV)

What does Mark 5:41 mean?

Mark 5:41 describes Jesus taking a young girl by the hand and speaking to her in Aramaic, saying "Talitha cumi," which means "Damsel, I say unto thee, arise." Jesus is directly commanding the girl, who was believed to be dead, to get up.

In this scene, Jesus is inside the house of Jairus, a synagogue leader whose daughter has just died. He speaks these words to the girl herself, showing both his compassion and his authority over life and death. The use of the original Aramaic phrase, followed by its translation, highlights the personal and powerful nature of Jesus's action.

The Aramaic / Greek behind Mark 5:41

  • Ταλιθά (Talitha): This Aramaic word means "little girl" or "young maiden." Its use here shows the tenderness and directness of Jesus's address to the child.
  • κουμί (cumi): Also Aramaic, this word means "arise" or "get up." It is a straightforward command, emphasizing the authority in Jesus's words.
  • ἔγειρε (egeire, G1453): The Greek word for "arise" used in the translation also means "to wake up" or "to raise." This links the idea of waking from sleep with being raised from death, a common image in the New Testament.

Why Mark 5:41 matters

  • Mark 5:41 clears up that Jesus spoke in the everyday language of the people (Aramaic), making his miracle feel personal and immediate, not distant or formal.
  • The verse emphasizes Jesus's unique authority to give life, as he does not pray or perform a ritual but simply commands the girl to rise.
  • Including both the original words and their translation connects readers to the eyewitness nature of the account, suggesting that these details were remembered and treasured by those present.

Where else these words appear

“interpreted” Greek G3177 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
  • Mark 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
  • Acts 4:36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas,(which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

“Damsel” Greek G2877 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 9:24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
  • Matthew 14:11 And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.
  • Mark 6:22 And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.

“took” Greek G2902 · used in 46 verses

  • Matthew 9:25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.
  • Mark 7:3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
  • Acts 3:11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.

“damsel” Greek G3813 · used in 48 verses

  • Matthew 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
  • Mark 5:39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
  • Luke 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.