Book of Mark - Chapter 5 - Verse 39

When Jesus arrived at the home of Jairus, he found the mourners weeping and wailing over the death of Jairus' daughter. In response, Jesus reassured them by saying, "Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth." In this verse, Jesus uses the metaphor of sleep to describe death, signifying that death is not the end but rather a temporary state before resurrection. It emphasizes Jesus' power over death and his ability to bring the young girl back to life. By referring to death as sleep, Jesus demonstrates his authority to conquer death and inspire hope in the resurrection. This verse also highlights the importance of faith and trust in Jesus' words, as he promises to bring the young girl back to life despite the apparent finality of death. Ultimately, this verse reminds us of the miraculous power of Jesus and his ability to transform the seemingly hopeless situation with his divine intervention.

When Jesus speaks the words "the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth," it is significant in terms of theological interpretation. Some scholars believe that Jesus uses the term "sleep" to signify that death is not permanent for believers. In the Bible, sleep is often used as a metaphor for death, with the implication that believers will be awakened in the resurrection. This interpretation is supported by other verses in the Bible, such as 1 Thessalonians 4:14 which says, "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." Therefore, Jesus' statement can be seen as a foreshadowing of the resurrection power that he possesses, and a reminder of the hope and eternal life that believers have in him.