Background
The notes provided for Mk. 5:21 – 43 are particularly helpful, http://www.usccb.org/bible/scripture.cfm?bk=Mark&ch=5&v=49005021
As the notes state this passage tells us of two stories; the first is a story of the raising to life of the daughter of Jairus which appears in vs. 5:21 – 24 and vs. 5: 35 – 43, interspersed between this story is the story of the cure of the woman with a hemorrhage told in verses 5:25 – 34. Matthew abbreviates his account of this passage in Mt. 9:18 – 26 while Luke rewrote it in Lk. 8:40 – 56.
The fact that the story appears in three different accounts is one of the many reasons that a problem was identified out of historical studies that scholars name the Synoptic Problem. We can’t get into that right now because most scholars believe that Mark’s version is the more primitive, earlier account. Although in all likelihood this story reflects some event in the life of the historical Jesus, and was remembered and retold, and then written down in a collection of related stories. It is this that was passed on [the early Christian “tradition” which means handing on] to Mark.
It is also highly probably that these two stories were originally separate stories that Mark weaves together in the manner that he did. To stay focused, I have edited the reading so that we can dialogue on just the passage dealing with the raising of the daughter of Jairus.
Our Questions
Our three basic questions can help us focus. First who are the characters in the edited passage? Second, what is the “when” of the passage? It will help if you set this passage in the larger context of Mark’s Gospel by looking back to the previous two stories; the three are related in Mark’s development of his Gospel. There is always the “when” of us today. It helps a great deal to reflect on the period you are in in your life for the Gospel reading has meaning in that concrete, specific period of our life in the 21st century. Finally, what is the plot, what is Mark driving at, his point? Think of the characters in the story, their individual roles and how they link together. Also there are a number of incongruities; can you detect any of them?
The “edited” Reading— Jairus’s Daughter
22 One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him [Jesus] he fell at his feet
23 and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.”
35 While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?”
36 Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.”
37 He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside …
38 When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly.
39 So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.”
40 And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was.
41 He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!”
42 The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. [At that] they were utterly astounded.
43 He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.
Your responses, questions, and / or comments are welcomed. You can add them by clicking on the comment link at the end of this post.