Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 5:36
As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
36. heard ] Perhaps according to a better reading, “ overheard. ” The very instant the Lord heard the message, He hastens to reassure the ruler with a word of confidence and encouragement.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Mar 5:36
Be not afraid, only believe.
Only believe
The circumstances in which our Lord uttered these simple but memorable words Did He say this for the sake of Jairus alone? Nay, surely not! I take these precious words of our Lord, and now especially apply them to one who is seeking forgiveness, but who feels as if he need scarcely hope, as if he could never be a child of God, etc. If you have some such feelings, it is just to you I say, Be not afraid, only believe!
1. There are some, many, alas! and the Bible scarcely contains a word which I should not sooner think of addressing to them than, Be not afraid! O that I could make them be afraid! Who are they? Persons who are not, and perhaps never were troubled with fear about their souls. God is too merciful to cast them out, or they are not wicked enough to be lest, or they are sure to be converted before they die, or they can make up for past defects by good living for the future.
2. But to thee who like Jairus art troubled in heart and seeking help from Christ, and over whose hopes dark feelings pass, as if it was all in vain, all too late-to thee I say, Be not afraid! While a man remains indifferent as to his soul, the great deceiver seeks to persuade him that nothing is so easy as salvation; but the moment conscience becomes awake, and the man begins in earnest to ask, What must I do to be saved? the deceiver changes his voice. Now, nothing is so difficult, so impossible, as salvation. Before, it was too soon; now, it is too late. Be not afraid, only believe!
(1) Be not afraid that the day of grace is past. Why are you thinking upon your soul? Because God is still calling you, etc. While you have one desire in your heart to say, Lord Jesus, if Thou wilt have mercy on such as I, here I lay me at Thy feet, O save me! your day of grace is not, cannot be, past.
(2) Be not afraid that your sins are too many. I do not believe you have any idea how many they really are. But you must not think that they are greater than the mercies of God.
3. When He said to Jairus, Only believe, what idea did it convey? Simply, trust to Me. You are not walking with Him side by side; you cannot look into His countenance or hear the unearthly power of His words. But He is as close to you as he was to Jairus. When He said Only believe, the hopeless father had no alternative but either to feel He is not trusted, or to feel He will save her after all. Had he looked down to the ground, probably he would have felt the first. If he looked full into the face of Jesus, he would feel, He cannot lie: it seems impossible, but I must trust Thee. So with you.
(1) Believe that He is able to save thee. Make out as bad a case against yourself as ever you can. In full knowledge of this, fix your helpless soul upon His atonement, upon His intercession.
(2) Believe that He is willing to save you. The Lord has sealed His willingness with these words, Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out.
(3) Believe that He is ready to save you. But I am not prepared: He is.
(4) Believe that He will save you. This you must do. The woman came saying, If I may but touch the hem of His garment, I shall be made whole. It was this faith that saved her. (William Arthur, M. A.)
Be not afraid, only believe
This exhortation has two sides-the negative and the positive.
I. In its negative aspect.
(1) it does not apply to the reckless and the ungodly, for there is never a period of their lives in which they ought not to fear. They have to fear-life and death, present, past, and future, earth and heaven, time and eternity. The very breath they breathe may be charged with its mission of judicial punishment;
(2) but to those who are striving to live in accordance with the requirements of the Divine will. When the soul has found her foundation to be the Rock of Ages, and her rest in God; when the earnest of the Divine Spirit is received and felt as a quickening power, then there is no need for alarm.
II. In its positive aspect.
(1) it indicates a means by which we may obtain release from causes which justify fear. Christ is the central object of trust. He is able to save, and He is willing. Here is a strong and lasting foundation;
(2) it is just the message needed by those who are turning away from the spirit of the world, who feel it cannot meet their wants when the heart stoops with grief, and when its fondest ties are being broken. It may be, that when they turn to God, great difficulties present themselves. Old habits are strong, the tendencies of the passions are earthward, and religion seems gloomy and unattractive. Besides, a deep sense of guilt and shame oppress the soul. Thus the trial of faith is severe. Still the remedy is simple. Trust wholly in God, and submit yourself to Him. Only believe is to acknowledge Gods power and ones own helplessness. It is a thing of instinct and of reason. (W. D. Horwood.)
Only believe
I. Faith. It is faith that sends him on this errand; faith in Jesus as a healer, for at first his faith only reached thus far. But Jesus leads him on; and ends with realizing in Him the raiser of the dead. Faith often begins with little and ends in much; it begins with a trickling streamlet, and ends with a full broad river.
II. Faith giving way. Does not faith often fail thus? We can go to Him for a little thing; not for a great. Instead of feeling that the worse the case the greater the glory to His power and love, we stop short, and cease to expect anything from Him.
III. Faith strengthened. Fear not, etc.
IV. Faith victorious. The victory is resurrection.
V. Unbelief rebuked. Excluded from the glorious spectacle. (H. Bonar, D. D.)
Only believe
I. Concerning this fear.
1. Fearfulness is common in applicants to the Saviour, and it springs from such sources as the following:
(1) Ignorance of the power and resources of the Saviour. We may believe that He can heal disease, but doubt that He can raise the dead.
(2) From morbid imagination of danger and of mischief. These we exaggerate.
(3) Hardness of heart towards Christs chief display of love, especially that manifestation of His mercy which He has given by dying for us.
(4) Then there is the memory and the consciousness of sin.
2. There can be nothing in the circumstances of an applicant to Jesus Christ to justify fear. Jesus does not reject you for sin, weakness, sadness-nothing is difficult to Him. He will do all at the right time.
3. Fearfulness when cherished is positively displeasing to the Saviour. It is groundless, dishonouring, injurious to ourselves.
II. Concerning trust.
1. Trust in Jesus is His due.
2. It is not always easy.
3. Are you all applicants to Jesus Christ? Be not afraid. Trust for the knowledge which is essential to life and salvation. (S. Martin.)
The charge of Christ under affliction
1. When difficulties are numerous and complicated.
2. When temptations are powerful and malignant.
3. When sickness occurs and is continued.
4. When bereaving providences are experienced.
5. What is the character and influence of our faith under these painful circumstances? (T. Wallace.)
Faith
Much is said in the Word of God of the principle of faith. The place that it occupies in the scheme of redemption is a very important one. It is essential to salvation. Without it we must remain destitute of all its blessings. This will be evident if we apply it-
I. To the general doctrine of salvation. To every inquirer for salvation we say, Only believe. Not that faith is the originating cause of salvation, for that were to deny the free grace of God; nor that faith is the procuring cause of salvation, for that were to set aside the efficacy of Christs atonement; nor that faith is the efficient cause of salvation, for that were to set aside the agency of the Holy Spirit: but we say that faith is the instrumental cause of salvation, that without the exercise of which no individual can experience salvation. This is the doctrine of the gospel (Act 16:31; Act 13:39; Eph 2:8; Rom 3:20-28; Rom 5:1).
1. This method of salvation conveys most glory to God.
2. This method of salvation alone produces real obedience.
3. This method is in accordance with the other parts of redemption. Let us apply the principle before us-
II. To the case of the true penitent.
III. To Christian believers.
IV. To the trials and sufferings of the Christian life. It is applicable-
1. To seasons of temptation.
2. To seasons of afflictive providences. (W. M. Bunting.)
Believing
I. The persons to whom the text is applicable. The case of Jairus. There was an evil he wanted to remove. A danger he wanted to prevent. A blessing he wanted to procure.
1. The first qualification of souls coming to Jesus is a sense of want, some evil to be removed, etc.
2. This sense of want brings us out of ourselves-out of dependence on mere external means.
3. The expression of our wants in earnest supplication.
4. Jairus came to Christ in faith.
II. The nature of the delightful duty and privilege.
1. Fear is a painful feeling, arising from the apprehension of some evil. A man at the feet of Jesus need not indulge in tormenting fear, for there is no evil he is in danger of but he may be saved from-no blessing he needs but he may secure. Fear not, etc.
2. What is this believing-what is faith? Sometimes it is called looking, receiving, etc.
III. The right you have to all the encouragement in the text.
1. If you have the sense of need, and if you are at the feet of Jesus, then you have an absolute, personal, Scriptural right to appropriate the salvation of God as your own. You are just where a sinner ought to be, etc.
2. You have a right because you comply with the invitation.
3. You are at the central point of all the promises. All yea and amen in Him.
4. Will you still indulge in tormenting fear? Yes, says one, You dont know what reason I have to fear, etc. Enumerate the various sources of fear, and show that no sinner need fear who is truly penitent and at the feet of Jesus. (W. Dawson.)
Only believe
Mr. Moody was one night preaching in Philadelphia; near the pulpit sat a young lady, who listened with eager attention, drinking in every word. After he had done talking he went to her. Are you a Christian? No, she replied, I wish I was; Ive been seeking Jesus for three years. Mr. Moody replied, There must be some mistake. Dont you believe me? said the distressed girl. Well, no doubt you think you have been seeking Jesus; but, believe me, it dont take three years for a seeking soul to meet a seeking Saviour. What am I to do, then? You have been trying to do long enough; you must just believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Oh! said the young lady, I am so tired of that word: Believe, believe, believe! I dont know what it means. Then well change the word, and say, trust. If I say, Ill trust Him, will He save me? I dont say that, for you may say ten thousand things; but if you do trust Him, He certainly will. Well, said she, I do trust him; but I dont feel any better! Ah! said Mr. Moody, I see; youve been looking for feelings for three years, instead of looking to Jesus. If the translators of the Bible had everywhere inserted feelings instead of faith, what a run there would be upon the book. But God does not say a word about feelings from Genesis to Revelation. With men seeing is believing but with the believer believing is seeing. An orphan child was once asked by her little friend, What do you do without a mother to tell your troubles to? Mother told me to go to Jesus; He was mothers Friend, and Hes my Friend too, was the simple reply. But He is a long way off; He wont stop to mind you. Her face brightened, as she said: I dont know about that, but I know He says He will, and thats enough for me. And should not that be enough for you and me? (Anon.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 36. Jesus – saith] These words were spoken by our Lord to the afflicted father, immediately on his hearing of the death of his child, to prevent that distress which he otherwise must have felt on finding that the case was now, humanly speaking, hopeless.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
36. he saith unto the ruler of thesynagogue, Be not afraid, only believeJesus, knowing how theheart of the agonized father would sink at the tidings, and thereflections at the delay which would be apt to rise in hismind, hastens to reassure him, and in His accustomed style: “Benot afraid, only believe”words of unchanging preciousness andpower! How vividly do such incidents bring out Christ’s knowledge ofthe human heart and tender sympathy! (Heb4:15).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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, Ro 4:18. 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.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Not heeding (). This is the sense in Mt 18:17 and uniformly so in the LXX. But here the other sense of hearing aside, overhearing what was not spoken directly to him, probably exists also. “Jesus might overhear what was said and disregard its import” (Bruce). Certainly he ignored the conclusion of the messengers. The present participle suits best the idea of overhearing. Both Mark and Lu 8:50 have “Fear not, only believe” ( , ). This to the ruler of the synagogue ( ) who had remained and to whom the messenger had spoken.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Heard. This is from the reading ajkousav (Luk 8:50). The correct reading is parakousav, which may be rendered either not heeding, as Rev. (compare Mt 28:17), or over – hearing, as Rev. in margin, which, on the whole, seems the more natural. Disregarding would be more appropriate if the message had been addressed to Jesus himself; but it was addressed to the ruler. Jesus overheard it. The present participle, laloumenon, being spoken, seems to fall in with this.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken,” (ho de lesous parakousas ton logon laloumenon) “Then Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken by them,” not to Him directly.
2) “He saith unto the ruler of the synagogue,” (legei to archisunagogo) “He said directly to the synagogue chief,” whose daughter had then died, Luk 7:50. Jesus spoke to the ruler, not to the doubting, questioning people.
3) “Be not afraid, only believe.” (me phobou monon pisteue) “Fear not, only believe,” do not be in a state of fearful anxiety, only trust, even in the presence of death, Mat 14:27; Rom 8:15; Mar 9:23.
FEAR NOT, ONLY BELIEVE
A poor widow was weeping in the room where lay the body of her husband. Their only child came in and said – -“Why do you weep so, mother?” The mother told him of their loss, and especially referred to their poverty. “The poor-house will receive us.” Looking into her face, the little fellow said, “is God dead, Mother?”
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
Mar 5:36
. Fear not, only believe. The message about her death had induced despair: for he had asked nothing from Christ but relief to the diseased young woman. Christ therefore bids him take care lest, by fear or distrust, he shut out that grace, to which death will be no hindrance. By this expression, only believe, he means that he will not want power, provided Jairus will allow him; and, at the same time, exhorts him to enlarge his heart with confidence, because there is no room to fear that his faith will be more extensive than the boundless power of God. And truly this is the case with us all: for God would be much more liberal in his communications to us, if we were not so close; but our own scanty desires hinder him from pouring out his gifts upon us in greater abundance. (528) In general, we are taught by this passage, that we cannot go beyond bounds in believing: because our faith, however large, will never embrace the hundredth part of the divine goodness.
(528) “ Mais la petitesse, et (par maniere de dire) la chicete de nostre foy, l’empesche de faire decouler plus abondamment ses biens sur nous;” — “But the smallness and (so to speak) the niggardliness of our faith, hinders him from making his benefits flow more abundantly on us.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
36. Believe Trust even beyond the gates of death.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘But Jesus, overhearing the word spoken, says to the ruler of the synagogue, “Don’t be afraid. Just go on believing.’
Jesus overhears what is said. The verb parakousas means ‘to hear beside’ and so could mean overhear or hear carelessly (and thus to disregard). The former is more likely here, although He does of course not ‘regard’ what was said. He simply turns to the important man and tells him not to be afraid. He has already shown some faith, he must ‘continue to believe’ (present tense).
This is not an indication that Jesus knew that the messengers were wrong. He accepted that the daughter was dead. But He was not disquieted by the way events had turned out. He was quietly confident. Death presented no problem to Him for He is the Lord of Life.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
Ver. 36. Be not afraid, only believe ] Faith quelleth and killeth distrustful fear; but awful dread it breedeth, feedeth, fostereth, and cherisheth.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
36. ] But Jesus having [straightway] overheard the message being spoken : a mark of accuracy which is lost in the re [18] . text.
[18] ec the Textus Receptus or received text of the Greek Testament. Used in this Edition when elz and Steph agree
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Mar 5:36 . : might mean to disregard, as in Mat 18:17 (with genitive). So Meyer; but here probably it means overhearing a word not spoken directly to Him. The two senses are quite compatible. Jesus might overhear what was said and disregard its import, i.e. , act contrary to the implied suggestion that nothing could now be done in the case. The latter He certainly did. , present, continue in a believing mood, even in presence of death .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
As soon as = Immediately. See note on Mar 1:12.
heard. T Tr. A WH R (not Syriac) read parakousas (instead of akousas), which A translates “overheard”.
believe = go on believing.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
36.] But Jesus having [straightway] overheard the message being spoken: a mark of accuracy which is lost in the re[18]. text.
[18] ec the Textus Receptus or received text of the Greek Testament. Used in this Edition when elz and Steph agree
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Mar 5:36. , that was spoken) as it were privately.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
As soon as
But Jesus, overhearing that word, said to the synagogue-ruler, Fear not, simply have faith. Cf. Luk 7:50
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
only: Mar 5:34, Mar 9:23, 2Ch 20:20, Mat 9:28, Mat 9:29, Mat 17:20, Luk 8:50, Joh 4:48-50, Joh 11:40, Rom 4:18-24
Reciprocal: Gen 21:17 – fear Psa 78:41 – limited Psa 88:10 – Wilt thou Isa 37:6 – Be not Joh 4:49 – come
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
FAITH AND LIFE
Be not afraid, only believe.
Mar 5:36
Our Blessed Lord had just performed three out of that wondrous cycle of miracles which Mark brings into close sequence. First, the stilling of the tempest; second, the casting out of the fiends which possessed the demoniac of Gadara; third, the healing of the woman with an issue of blood; fourth, the raising of Jairuss little daughter. The first demonstrated His control over the elements; the second, His absolute authority over evil spirits; the third, His power over human suffering and incurable disease; the fourth, His supreme sovereignty over the King of TerrorsDeath itself.
I. The faith of Jairus.Jairuss faith has been compared with that of other suppliants for our Lords help, and has not always received the full measure of admiration that it deserves. There are points in the incident which show that his faith was very sorely tried, and that it stood the test, and stood it well. Our Lord, it is to be noticed, complied at once with the fathers request, but His progress is (we cannot help feeling it to be so ourselves, as we read) neither direct nor quick enough to satisfy the natural impatience of that poor fathers heart. He stops on His way to perform another act of mercy; but the delay does not extort a single word of expostulation, not even a sigh, from the distracted man. Assuredly Jairus had faith, and strong faith, too. For this delay, what might it not involve? Indeed, what did it not involve? The poor sufferer who arrested our Lords attention is cured, and again a forward movement is about to be made, when the fathers worst fears are realised. While He yet spake, there came certain which said, Thy daughter is dead. And what does the stricken father do? Does he turn away at once in hopeless despair, or is he hesitating to prefer a yet stranger request before our Lord, hesitating, as the messengers, representing an unbelieving world, exclaim: Why troublest thou the Master any further? However this may have been, our Lord promptly rallied the broken-hearted father with words of encouragement and hopeBe not afraid, only believe.
II. And its reward.You know the sequel. The Saviour entered the chamber of death with the father and mother of the child and three of His disciples; He entered that chamber, and, after a brief interval, He returned; but He left behind Him a father and mother shedding tears of joy over a darling child restored to life and health. You especially, who are parents, can enter at once into both the sorrow and the joy that fills this story.
III. A lesson for parents.But, apart from the admiration it excites in all our hearts for the Saviours loving sympathy and amazing power, apart from its parabolic teaching, which, like those two kindred miracles of His, points us so plainly to the general Resurrection in the Last Day, there is at least one obvious and important lesson for us parents. There are worse things than even bodily weakness and deaththere are the moral plague spots, the sins and vices of our fallen nature; and these, untouched by Him, may end in spiritual death. Let us see to it that our dear children sleep not such a sleep as that. Put them, so far as you can, under His charge; bring them when infants to His Holy Baptism. Pray without ceasing; for hereafter their child-eyes shall open with joy at His call from the eternal throneDamsel, young man, I say unto thee, arise.
Rev. E. F. Cavalier.
Illustration
There are certain dangers to which children are peculiarly exposed. There is the danger to their moral and physical well-being which arises from over-crowding and bad sanitationthis, as a rule, can scarcely be said to lie at the parents door; they have to live where they earn their bread. At the same time it is a matter of such vital importance to the present and future welfare of the race, that parents must not allow themselves to rest satisfied with such surroundings. Notwithstanding compulsory measures now being taken to insure proper accommodation in the houses of the poor, yet so great is the increase of population that these measures scarcely keep pace with the urgent need and its allied risks. It is a question whether it is generally realised how the discipline and education of the child at school is often neutralised by the bad conditions of its home life. But there is another and greater danger arising, partly from this exposure to physical and moral infection, and partly from a lack of the sense of responsibility for the childs spiritual health on the part of too many parents. Free education, which has relieved the parent of responsibility for his childs secular education, may, to a great extent, have undermined the parents sense of an even higher duty; but, taking it for granted that the majority try to carry out their parts in their childrens worldly training, is it a fact that all are as keen as they should be about their spiritual up-bringing? Do they take care to rear them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord? Do they give them every opportunity, and see that they have it, of being brought under the influence of their parish priest and the care of Christs Church? And, further, do they use every means to insure that home examplewhat the children hear and see at homemay agree with what they are taught to be the Will of their Saviour Christ?
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
6
Jesus overheard the word that was brought to the ruler, and he gave him an assurance of favor if he continued to have faith.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Mar 5:36. But Jesus not heeding, or, overhearing, the word spoken. The correct reading introduces a word, which usually means, to pass by as unheard, not to heed: more rarely, to overhear. In either case, it is a mark of accuracy in this account. The message was addressed to the ruler, not to our Lord. Either He did not heed it, though He heard it; or He heard it, when it was not addressed to Him, the former seems preferable.
Be not afraid, only believe. Luke adds: and she shall be made whole. The delay seemed fatal, was in itself a trial to the faith of Jairus, especially now that the crisis had come. Yet what had just happened, for the message came while He was speaking (Mar 5:35, would encourage Jairus, especially as faith had been exalted in the miracle which the ruler himself witnessed.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
5:36 {3} As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
(3) By faith fathers apprehended the promises of life even for their children.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Jairus had believed that Jesus could heal his daughter, and He had just observed the result of believing in Jesus (Mar 5:25-34). His faith, with Jesus’ encouragement, enabled him to believe that Jesus could still help his daughter. Literally Jesus said, "Stop fearing; continue believing."