Mark 5:21-43 Jesus, the Healer and the Hope of Resurrection

Jesus, the Healer and the Hope of Resurrection
Mark 5:21–43

Introduction

Have you ever been to a home show or an expo where companies set up booths to demonstrate their products? They show you how their product works, why it’s better than the competition, and why you should believe in it. In a way, Jesus’ miracles worked the same way. They weren’t just random acts of kindness; they were signs that proved His message was true. People could see with their own eyes that Jesus had real power, power that no one else had—not even the religious leaders. In this passage, we see two miracles happen back-to-back: one where Jesus heals a sick woman, and another where He raises a young girl from the dead. These miracles show us that Jesus has power over sickness and even death itself.

Background & Context

In this passage, a synagogue leader named Jairus comes to Jesus, desperate for help. His daughter is dying, and he believes Jesus is the only one who can save her:

“Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet and implored him earnestly, saying, ‘My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.’” (Mark 5:22–23)

This is significant because, as a synagogue ruler, Jairus was part of the religious system. Normally, men like him would seek help from the priests at the temple, not a wandering teacher like Jesus. But Jairus saw something different. Instead of relying on rituals or sacrifices, he believed Jesus alone had the power to heal.

As Jesus goes with Jairus, another person reaches out to Him—an unnamed woman who had been suffering for twelve years. She had spent everything she had on the medical advances of her day, but nothing helped. Every solution had failed. She heard accounts about Jesus before He arrived, and hope was kindled. Her faith in the Jewish Messiah, formed by hearing about Him, led her to push through the crowd just to touch His garments. “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well,” she believed (Mark 5:28). And immediately, she was healed.

Meanwhile, Jairus receives devastating news—his daughter has died. The people tell him there’s no point in bothering Jesus anymore. But Jesus reassures him, “Do not fear, only believe” (Mark 5:36). What happens next reveals Jesus’ ultimate power—not just over sickness, but over death itself.

1. The Woman’s Healing

The woman had been suffering for twelve years—the same number of years that Jairus’ daughter had been alive. She had exhausted every known medical remedy. But when she touched Jesus, she was instantly healed. Jesus didn’t let her slip away unnoticed. He stopped and asked, “Who touched me?” (Mark 5:30). His disciples were confused—there was a huge crowd pressing around Him—but Jesus knew that this was different.

When the woman admitted what she had done, she came before Jesus with “fear and trembling” (Mark 5:33). Like Moses before the burning bush (Exodus 3:5), she realized she had just encountered the holy power of God. But instead of judgment, Jesus called her “Daughter” and said, “Your faith has made you well; go in peace” (Mark 5:34). This wasn’t just physical healing—it was a restoration of dignity, identity, and her relationship with God.

2. Jairus’ Daughter Raised from the Dead

While Jesus was still speaking, Jairus’ worst fear came true—his daughter had died. The people said it was too late. But Jesus said, “Do not fear, only believe” (Mark 5:36). He didn’t promise an outcome immediately, but He called Jairus to trust.

At the house, the people were weeping loudly. When Jesus said the girl was not dead but sleeping, they laughed at Him (Mark 5:38–40). They thought death was final. But Jesus took Jairus, the girl’s mother, and three disciples into the room. In this private moment, He took the girl’s hand and said, “Talitha cumi” (“Little girl, I say to you, arise”) (Mark 5:41). Immediately, she got up and walked. Jesus told them to give her something to eat—she wasn’t just revived, she was fully restored.

This miracle stands in contrast to the woman’s healing:

• The woman’s healing was public, and she initiated it by faith.
• The little girl’s resurrection was private, and Jesus initiated it without anyone expecting it.

Both Jairus and the woman came to Jesus when everything else had failed. The woman exhausted medical help. Jairus stepped outside the religious system he led. Each placed their faith in the only one who could truly help—Jesus.

Conclusion

The miracles in Mark 5 are not just stories of healing—they’re signs that Jesus has power over everything broken in this world. The woman was isolated, suffering, and desperate. Jairus was respected but powerless in the face of death. Both needed what only Jesus could offer: healing, life, and peace.

These accounts show us:

• Jesus is the only true source of healing—physically and spiritually.
• He has power over death and will one day raise all who trust in Him.
• He is calling us to believe, even when the situation looks hopeless.

Just as Jesus restored the woman and raised the little girl, He promises to raise and restore those who belong to Him. The question is: Do you trust Him? Will you come to Him when all else fails, knowing He alone is the hope of resurrection and life?

Scripture References

• Exodus 3:5 – Moses was told to remove his sandals, for he was standing on holy ground before God.
• Mark 5:22–23 – Jairus pleads with Jesus to come heal his dying daughter.
• Mark 5:28 – The woman believes if she touches Jesus’ garment, she will be healed.
• Mark 5:30, 33–34 – Jesus identifies the woman and tells her, “Your faith has made you well.”
• Mark 5:36 – Jesus tells Jairus not to fear, but believe.
• Mark 5:39–41 – Jesus raises Jairus’ daughter by calling her to rise.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 – Believers who have died will rise first at Christ’s return, followed by the living.
• Revelation 21:4 – God will wipe away every tear; there will be no more death or pain.