Raising the Daughter of Jairus

1 hour

19 July 2026

The synagogue in those days was ruled by elders, and those who had that position was given great esteem and authority in the Jewish community. Jairus was a man of notable status, and when he came to Jesus, he humbled himself completely and fell at the feet of Jesus. He was a desperate man, and Gospel of Mark tells us the reason for his desperation.

Gospel of Mark chapter 5 tells us that Jairus had an only daughter who was about twelve years of age, and she was dying. It is obvious that this ruler would have summoned the best physicians in and around Capernaum to treat his daughter, but whatever treatments she received were not successful. His only hope at that point was Jesus. Jesus was the only One who could fill the need that he had.

I have had many people say to me that they did not need Jesus. That is a common sentiment of people outside the kingdom of God. Sure, there are times of crisis during their lives where they may suddenly turn to Jesus seeking help, but for the most part, fallen and lost mankind feels no need for Jesus. This is one of the most tragic misunderstandings of the human predicament to be found. There is nothing in this world that every person needs more desperately than they need Jesus.

Jairus at least understood his need, so he came humbly to Jesus and begged Him, saying, “Please come.” Jesus went, but as He went, the crowd that had welcomed Him on the shore of the sea got wind of what was going on. They witnessed the beseeching of Jairus. They heard his lament. They heard him beg Jesus to come and save his daughter. Whispering went among the crowd, and they all fell in step with Jesus. You could hear the crowd murmuring, saying, “This, I have to see.” They had already probably been eyewitnesses of other miracles that Jesus had performed, but this was something that they had never seen: somebody being healed at the point of death.