Question 1

What does Mark 5:41 mean?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

The Aramaic / Greek behind Mark 5:41

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

Why Mark 5:41 matters

Accepted Answer

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.

Mark 5:41 (KJV)