Mark 5:41

Mark 5:41, in plain English

Jesus takes her hand and says in Aramaic, 'Talitha koum!' — 'Little girl, I say to you, get up!' He speaks to a dead child with the gentleness of a parent waking their daughter from a nap.

Why it's here

The fact that Mark preserves Jesus' exact Aramaic words makes this moment feel incredibly intimate and real. It's not a formula — it's a tender, personal command.

Who's speaking

Jesus speaks directly to the girl, taking her hand.

Where it sits in the story

These may be the most tender words in all of Scripture. Jesus doesn't shout or perform a ritual. He takes a dead girl's hand and gently says, 'Sweetheart, get up.' And she does.

The scholarly reading

Jesus takes the dead girl's hand (kratesas tes cheiros tou paidiou) and speaks Aramaic: 'Talitha koum' (literally 'Little lamb, arise'). Mark preserves the original Aramaic — a vivid eyewitness detail likely from Peter — and provides translation.

Language and setting

The preservation of Jesus' actual Aramaic words, rare in Mark, suggests authentic eyewitness memory. Physical touch combined with authoritative speech mirrors his healing methodology. 'Talitha' is an endearing diminutive.

Voice

Jesus speaks directly to the dead girl in his native Aramaic, commanding her to rise.

Significance

With a gentle touch and tender Aramaic words — 'Little girl, get up!' — Jesus raises the dead child. The intimate, affectionate language reveals his compassion alongside his cosmic authority.

39He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but asleep.”

40And they laughed at Him.

41Taking her by the hand, Jesus said, “Talitha koum!” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”

42Immediately the girl got up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). And at once they were utterly astounded.

43Then Jesus gave strict orders that no one should know about this, and He told them to give her something to eat.

Read all of Mark 5 — A man possessed by a thousand demons, a woman who has bled for twelve years, a father whose daughter has just died — all healed in a single chapter.