Jesus Heals Jairus's Daughter
A synagogue leader begs Jesus to heal his dying daughter. Though she dies before Jesus arrives, He takes her by the hand and raises her back to life.
Mark 5:21-43, Matthew 9:18-26, Luke 8:40-56
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The Story
When Jesus had crossed over in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him. Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus' feet. He pleaded earnestly with Him, 'My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.'
Jesus went with him, and a large crowd followed and pressed around Him. While Jesus was still speaking to another who had been healed, some people came from the house of Jairus. 'Your daughter is dead,' they said. 'Why bother the teacher anymore?'
Ignoring what they said, Jesus told Jairus, 'Don't be afraid; just believe.'
He did not let anyone follow Him except Peter, James, and John. When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, 'Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.'
They laughed at Him. But He put them all out, took the child's father and mother and those who were with Him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, 'Talitha koum!' (which means 'Little girl, I say to you, get up!').
Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around. She was twelve years old. At this they were completely astonished. He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.
Jairus had risked his reputation as a synagogue leader to seek help from Jesus. His faith was tested when news came that his daughter had died. But Jesus' words—'Don't be afraid; just believe'—carried him through. And in that little girl's room, death gave way to life at the touch of the Son of God.
Jesus Wakes Up the Little Girl
Kids Version
Jairus was an important man at the synagogue. But he had a big problem—his little girl was very, very sick. She was only twelve years old, and she was dying!
Jairus ran to find Jesus. He fell down at Jesus' feet. 'Please, please!' he begged. 'My daughter is dying! Please come and make her better!'
Jesus said, 'Let's go.'
But as they were walking, some people came running from Jairus's house. Their faces were sad. 'Don't bother Jesus anymore,' they said. 'Your daughter has died.'
Jairus's heart must have broken. His little girl was gone!
But Jesus turned to Jairus and said something important: 'Don't be afraid. Just believe.'
They kept walking to the house. When they got there, lots of people were crying and making loud noises because they were so sad.
Jesus said, 'Why are you crying? The little girl isn't dead—she's just sleeping!'
The people LAUGHED at Jesus. They knew she was dead!
Jesus made everyone leave except for the girl's mom and dad and three of His closest friends. They went into the room where the little girl was lying.
Jesus took her hand. He said gently, 'Little girl, get up!'
And right away—the little girl opened her eyes! She got up! She walked around! She was ALIVE!
Her mom and dad couldn't believe it! They were SO happy!
Jesus smiled. 'Give her something to eat,' He said.
Jesus is so powerful that even death has to listen to Him. When He says 'get up,' nothing can stay down!
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Scripture — Mark 5:21-43 (KJV)
21And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.
22And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
23And 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.
24And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
25And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,
26And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse ,
27When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
28For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
29And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
30And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?
31And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
32And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.
33But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
34And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
35While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
36As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
37And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
38And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.
39And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
40And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
41And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.
42And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.
43And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.
Memory Verse
“And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.”
— Mark 5:21 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “Jesus Heals Jairus's Daughter” in the Bible?
A synagogue leader begs Jesus to heal his dying daughter. Though she dies before Jesus arrives, He takes her by the hand and raises her back to life. This story is found in Mark 5:21-43, Matthew 9:18-26, Luke 8:40-56.
Where is “Jesus Heals Jairus's Daughter” found in the Bible?
“Jesus Heals Jairus's Daughter” is found in Mark 5:21-43, Matthew 9:18-26, Luke 8:40-56, in the book of Mark.
What can children learn from “Jesus Heals Jairus's Daughter”?
This story teaches children about Faith, Resurrection, Compassion, Parental Love, Jesus' Power Over Death. A father's little girl was very sick and then she died. But Jesus came and took her hand and said, 'Little girl, get up!' And she did!