Jesus Raises Jairus’ Daughter Back to Life: Summary and Reformed Meaning

The miracle of Jesus raising Jairus’ daughter back to life, recorded in Mark 5:21–43, Matthew 9:18–26, and Luke 8:40–56, powerfully reveals Christ’s sovereign authority over death and illustrates key doctrines: God’s sovereignty, the necessity of faith as a gift of grace, Christ’s dominion over life and death, and the glory of God displayed in salvation.

Jairus was a ruler of the synagogue, a man of religious standing and social importance. Yet when his twelve-year-old daughter was at the point of death, his position could not save her. In desperation and humility, he came to Jesus, fell at His feet, and pleaded earnestly for Him to come and lay His hands on her so she might live. This act demonstrates the proper posture of faith—not self-reliance, but dependence upon Christ alone. Jairus’ faith was not the product of his own natural ability, but the result of God’s gracious work in his heart. Faith itself is a gift (Ephesians 2:8), and Jairus’ turning to Christ reflects God’s sovereign drawing of sinners to the Savior.

As Jesus went with Jairus, messengers arrived with devastating news: the child had died. Humanly speaking, all hope was gone. Death is the ultimate consequence of sin (Romans 6:23), and no earthly authority can reverse it. Yet Jesus immediately spoke words of comfort and command: “Do not fear, only believe.” This was not a suggestion that Jairus manufacture faith from within himself, but a call to continue trusting in Christ’s sovereign power. Christ Himself is the object and sustainer of faith.

When Jesus arrived at the house, He encountered mourners weeping loudly. He declared, “The child is not dead but sleeping.” This statement did not deny the reality of her physical death but revealed Christ’s authority over it. To Him, death is like sleep, because He has the power to awaken the dead. The mourners laughed at Him, demonstrating the natural unbelief of the human heart apart from grace. This contrast highlights the understanding of total depravity—fallen humanity does not naturally believe in Christ’s power unless God opens their hearts.

Jesus then took the child’s parents and a few disciples into the room. He took the girl by the hand and said, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” Immediately, she got up and began walking. This was not a gradual recovery but an instantaneous act of divine power. Christ did not pray for power from another source—He Himself is the source of life. This demonstrates His deity and sovereign authority. Just as God spoke life into existence at creation, Christ spoke life into this dead child.

This miracle also serves as a picture of spiritual resurrection. Just as the girl was physically dead and could do nothing to restore herself, sinners are spiritually dead in their trespasses (Ephesians 2:1). Salvation is not the result of human effort or cooperation, but the sovereign, life-giving work of Christ. When Christ calls His elect, His call is effectual—it accomplishes what He intends. The girl did not assist in her resurrection; she responded because Christ’s command gave her life.

Ultimately, this miracle points to Christ’s victory over death itself. It foreshadows His own resurrection and the future resurrection of all believers. It assures God’s people that Christ has absolute authority over death and that all whom He calls will live. This miracle displays the glory of God in Christ, who alone has the power to bring life from death, both physically and spiritually.