Mark 5:36

36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that had been spoken, He said unto the ruler of the synagogue, "Be not afraid; only believe."

Mark 5:36 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 5:36

As soon as Jesus had heard the word that was spoken
By those that came from the ruler's house; as that his daughter was dead, and it was to no purpose to give him any further trouble, since all hope of recovery was now gone:

he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue;
who was overwhelmed with trouble, and quite dispirited, and ready to swoon and die away;

be not afraid, only believe:
do not be discouraged at these tidings, or distrust my power to help thee, only believe that I am able to raise her, even from the dead; and fear not, but it will be done. If a man can but believe, he has no reason to fear; for what is it that almighty power cannot do? it can raise the dead; there is nothing can stand in its way, or stop its course; and faith in it surmounts difficulties which are insuperable to carnal sense and reason: this was the support and foundation of Abraham's faith; hence he was strong in the exercise of it, and believed in hope against hope, because he was fully persuaded that God was able to perform what he had promised, ( Romans 4:18 Romans 4:20 Romans 4:21 ) . And whereas the ruler had expressed some faith in Christ, that his daughter, though at the point of death, would be, healed by him and live, provided he would but come and lay his hands on her; and Christ had assented to go along with him, and had given him an intimation that he would restore her; he had nothing to do but to believe in him, that even though she was dead, he was able to raise her from the dead, as well as to recover her at the point of death, and that he would do it, but, oh! this thing, "only believe", how hard a matter is it, though there is so much encouragement to it both in the power and will of Christ! Faith is not of a man's self at first; it is the gift of God, and the operation of his Spirit; and the lively and comfortable exercise of it is owing to the influence of efficacious grace: but if Christ, who is the author and finisher of faith, says "believe", or "only believe"; such power goes along with his words, as doubtless did at this time, as causes souls to exercise faith in him; and the more faith, the less fear; and such walk most comfortably in themselves, and most to the glory of Christ, who walk by faith on him. This word "only" does not exclude the exercise of other graces, but rather implies it, for where this grace is in exercise, generally speaking, others are; nor the performance of good works, which are the fruits and effects of true faith, and without which faith is dead; but it stands opposed to fears and doubting, and to all carnal reasonings, as well as to all trust and confidence in other objects besides Christ.

Mark 5:36 In-Context

34 And He said unto her, "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole. Go in peace, and be whole of thy plague."

35 While He yet spoke, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain ones who said, "Thy daughter is dead; why troublest thou the master any further?"

36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that had been spoken, He said unto the ruler of the synagogue, "Be not afraid; only believe."

37 And He suffered no man to follow Him, save Peter and James and John, the brother of James.

38 And He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw the tumult and those who wept and wailed greatly.