Mark 5:35 While he was still speaking, people came from the synagogue ruler’s house saying, “Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher any more?” 36 But Jesus, overhearing the message spoken, said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him, except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. 38 And they came to the synagogue ruler’s house, and he saw an uproar, weeping, and great wailing. 39 And when he had entered in, he said to them, “Why do you make an uproar and weep? The child is not dead, but is asleep. 40 And they ridiculed him. But he, having put them all out, took the father of the child, her mother, and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 And taking the child by the hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,” which translated means, “Little girl, I tell you, get up.” 42 And immediately the girl rose up and walked, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were overcome with amazement. 43And he strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and commanded that something should be given to her to eat. NHEB
There are some similarities to the Lazarus story in the Gospel of John where Jesus Mary and Martha send word to Him about the condition of their brother. Jesus waits a few days before going there as He knows what is going to happen once He gets there.
John 11:1 Now a certain man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village where Mary and her sister Martha lived. 2 (Now it was Mary who anointed the Lord with perfumed oil and wiped his feet dry with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) 3 So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, “Lord, look, the one you love is sick.” 4 When Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness will not lead to death, but to God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” … 6 So when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He remained in the place where He was for two more days….11 After He said this, He added, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep. But I am going there to awaken him.” 12 Then the disciples replied, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” 13 (Now Jesus had been talking about his death, but they thought he had been talking about real sleep.) 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and I am glad for your sake that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” NET
Mark has told us earlier about the conspiracy underfoot involving the people who have been sent from Jerusalem to watch Jesus. They are likely not happy with the delay in getting to the daughter. (They are also less than thrilled in the way that Jarius, as a leader of the synagogue, has reached out to Jesus for help). We aren’t told why only these three apostles (Peter, John and James) go with Jesus but these same three are at the transfiguration and at the Garden of Gethsemane. James is the first apostle to die (Acts 9) so although he has seen and heard more than 9 of the apostles, he is the first taken out.
Some have suggested that the girl is only in a coma, especially since Jesus said she was “asleep” (not unlike His reference to Lazarus). This would contradict the witnesses coming from Jarius’ house who specifically say she is dead. In addition, the text also indicates that her funeral has started. Finally, the people laugh and mock Jesus for suggesting that she is not dead. Mark’s point in this section is to show who Jesus is by demonstrating His power over nature, demons, illness and finally death. Simply waking the little girl from a coma wouldn’t make the cut.
Although the crowd may not have faith, Jairus does. This isn’t insignificant as it tells us that not every Jewish leader was opposed to Jesus. Before raising the girl, Christ kicks the unbelieving crowd out. To this day, a regular feature of a healing service is to kick out anyone who doesn’t believe that it will happen. By touching the dead girl (and the hemorrhaging woman earlier), Jesus has made Himself ritually unclean.
Of note is the term “Talitha koum” (rendered slightly different in some translations but still the same word). This quote is Aramaic which is the language that Jesus spoke. Using an Aramaic phrase in a Greek text tells us this is a direct quote heard by the witnesses in the room (including Peter, Mark’s apostolic source). Once again, there is amazement along with the instruction from Christ not to talk about the miracle as He isn’t ready to reveal Himself. To borrow from John’s Gospel, His time has not come.
While it doesn’t look that way to 21st century eyes, what Jesus is doing is radical in the first century as He is treating women like human beings with real worth.
Mark 6:1 And he went out from there and came into his own country, and his disciples followed him. 2 And when the Sabbath had come, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things?” and, “What is the wisdom that is given to this man, that such mighty works come about by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, Josi, Judas, and Simon? Are not his sisters here with us?” They were offended at him. 4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his own house.” 5 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people, and healed them. 6 And he was amazed because of their unbelief. And he went around the villages teaching. NHEB
Jesus is at home in Nazareth about 20 miles from Capernaum. We have this rather unflattering comment about the town from the Gospel of John:
John 1: 45 Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and the Prophets wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 And Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” NHEB
The demon in Mark chapter 1 refers to “Jesus of Nazareth” as does the angel at the tomb in Mark 16:6. This is also how Jesus refers to Himself after knocking Paul off his donkey (Acts 22:8). While living there, Jesus was a carpenter living a common and ordinary life. He comes back and all the people see is that same ordinary kid. In Luke’s version of this story (Luke 4:14), the people were so offended and filled with rage that they drove Him out of the synagogue and the city up to the point where they could throw Him off a cliff.