Jairus's urgent plea, "My little daughter is at the point of death," reveals a heart broken by fear, not just a father seeking help. His seemingly fragmented speech, "that thou come, etc.," shows raw anguish, a desperate hope even when words fail him.
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.” And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jairus, a respected leader in the synagogue, approaches Jesus with a desperate plea for his young daughter who is on the verge of death. This plea happens amidst a throng of people pressing in on Jesus, highlighting the urgency and chaos of the situation. Jesus, despite the crowd, agrees to go with Jairus, setting the stage for a pivotal moment where healing and faith intersect.
Imagine the sheer desperation – a father rushing to Jesus, his voice trembling, pleading for his dying child. What does his urgency tell us about faith?
Jairus, a respected synagogue ruler, is brought to his knees by love for his daughter. His plea isn't just a request; it's a torrent of raw emotion. He uses the tender diminutive "little daughter" (τὸ θυγάτριον), a term of endearment showing his deep affection. The phrase "at the point of death" (ἐσχάτως ἔχει) paints a picture of imminent loss, a child on the very brink.
His broken speech, "that thou come..." reveals his anguish. He's not delivering a polished sermon; he's a father in crisis, pouring out his heart. This raw honesty is powerful. It shows us that faith isn't always about perfect theology or eloquent prayers; sometimes, it's about laying our deepest needs and fears bare before God. Even in his desperation, he believes Jesus has the power to heal and restore life.
Amidst a jostling crowd, a desperate woman reached out. What was it about her touch, and Jesus’ reaction, that reveals so much about His power?
While Jesus is on His way to Jairus's daughter, a woman who had been sick for twelve years reaches out and touches His cloak. The commentators note that her faith wasn't perfect; it was mixed with fear and perhaps even superstition. She didn't approach Jesus directly but thought, "If I only touch his garment, I will be made well."
Yet, Jesus perceives that "power had gone out from him." He stops and asks, "Who touched me?" This isn't because He didn't know; it's to bring her to faith and to public confession. Her touch, though perhaps timid and seeking a secret blessing, was a point of contact for the divine power that flows from Jesus. He affirms her: "Daughter, your faith has made you well."
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This teaches us that Jesus’ power isn't diminished by imperfect faith or hesitant approaches. He meets us where we are, honoring even the faintest spark of belief that reaches out for Him. The miracle wasn't just in the healing, but in drawing a fearful woman into the light of His grace.
Understand the original words
parakaleō · Greek Verb
To beg or plead with intense urgency or fervor. It implies a persistent and desperate request, often in a position of need or powerlessness.
epitithēmi · Greek Verb phrase
A common Jewish practice representing the impartation of authority, blessing, healing, or the Holy Spirit. In the context of the Gospels, it frequently signifies Jesus transferring His healing power or divine authority to an individual.
sōzō · Greek Verb
To be rescued from disease, illness, or death, implying both physical restoration and, in many contexts, spiritual wholeness. It carries the sense of being saved or made whole.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
Jesus travels throughout Galilee, teaching, healing, and calling disciples, gaining a significant following.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jairus Seeks Jesus
Jairus, a synagogue ruler from Capernaum, learns of Jesus' healing power and seeks him out in desperation.
Early 1st century AD
Delay by Woman's Healing
While Jesus is on his way to Jairus's home, a woman secretly touches his cloak and is instantly healed, causing a delay.
Early 1st century AD
News of Daughter's Death
Messengers arrive from Jairus's home with the devastating news that his daughter has died.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus Raises the Girl
Jesus, undeterred by the news of death, goes to Jairus's house and raises the girl back to life.
This passage in Matthew parallels Mark's account, showing a similar plea from a synagogue ruler whose daughter was dying, highlighting the urgency and faith involved in seeking Jesus' help.
Luke 8:41-42Luke's Gospel also recounts this event, emphasizing that the daughter was Jairus's 'only daughter' and about twelve years old, adding detail to the father's desperate and loving plea for his child.
Mark 5:34Jesus’ response to the woman with the issue of blood, 'Daughter, your faith has made you well,' echoes the tenderness Jairus expressed in calling his own daughter 'little daughter,' showing Jesus' empathetic understanding of fatherly love.
John 11:3The sisters of Lazarus sent word to Jesus, 'Lord, he whom you love is ill,' much like Jairus’ plea, demonstrating a shared theme of desperate reliance on Jesus during a moment of extreme crisis and love for a loved one.
vincentMark 5:23: "And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live."
My little daughter (τὸ θυγάτριον)This little endearing touch in the use of the diminutive is peculiar to Mark.Lieth at the point of death (ἐσχάτως ἔχει)One of the uncouth phrases peculiar to Mark's style, and which are cited by some as evidence of the early composition of his gospel.I pray thee come (ἵνα ἐ…
barnesMark 5:23: "And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live."
Lieth at the point of death - Is dying; in the last agonies.
Jairus's urgent plea, "My little daughter is at the point of death," reveals a heart broken by fear, not just a father seeking help. His seemingly fragmented speech, "that thou come, etc.," shows raw anguish, a desperate hope even when words fail him.
Jairus, a respected leader in the synagogue, approaches Jesus with a desperate plea for his young daughter who is on the verge of death. This plea happens amidst a throng of people pressing in on Jesus, highlighting the urgency and chaos of the situation. Jesus, despite the crowd, agrees to go with Jairus, setting the stage for a pivotal moment where healing and faith intersect.
Jairus, a respected leader in the synagogue, approaches Jesus with a desperate plea for his young daughter who is on the verge of death. This plea happens amidst a throng of people pressing in on Jesus, highlighting the urgency and chaos of the situation. Jesus, despite the crowd, agrees to go with Jairus, setting the stage for a pivotal moment where healing and faith intersect.
"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.” And he went with him.
And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him." — Jairus's urgent plea, "My little daughter is at the point of death," reveals a heart broken by fear, not just a father seeking help. His seemingly fragmented speech, "that thou come, etc.," shows raw…
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Last reviewed October 2026
