God’s power over fear through faith in Jesus is the message of Mark 5:36.
In this verse, we witness the compassionate authority of Jesus: “But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, ‘Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.” (v.36). Moments earlier, word had arrived that the official’s daughter had died, causing those around him to lose all hope. By directly addressing the synagogue official, a religious leader who lived around AD 30, Jesus displays His sensitivity to both the official’s status and his dire circumstances. This scene unfolds in the region near the Sea of Galilee, an area known for active fishing villages and devout Jewish communities. The synagogue official, historically known as Jairus (mentioned earlier in Mark 5), would have been responsible for the administration and upkeep of the local synagogue in that region, reflecting the significance of his role among his people.
The core of Jesus’s response is a powerful reassurance: “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.” (v.36). This statement follows a pattern observed in Jesus’s ministry, where faith is emphasized over fear (Matthew 14:27). Such an approach resonates throughout the New Testament and points to Jesus’s divine authority—He demonstrates that fear of earthly circumstances pales in comparison to the sovereign power of God. In speaking these words, Jesus invites the synagogue official to move from anxiety to trust, highlighting that belief in Christ’s words and actions ushers in hope even amidst hopelessness.
Finally, Jesus’s command not to fear but to believe underscores His mission of bringing salvation and wholeness to those who trust in Him. By linking the official’s faith to the miraculous events that follow, Mark’s Gospel reveals Jesus’s identity as the Messiah, fulfilling prophets’ words and preparing hearts to receive the fullness of God’s kingdom. This notion directly anticipates the message of Jesus’s resurrection in the Gospels, where belief triumphs over fear and signals eternal life (John 11:25).
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Mark 5:36 meaning
In this verse, we witness the compassionate authority of Jesus: “But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, ‘Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.” (v.36). Moments earlier, word had arrived that the official’s daughter had died, causing those around him to lose all hope. By directly addressing the synagogue official, a religious leader who lived around AD 30, Jesus displays His sensitivity to both the official’s status and his dire circumstances. This scene unfolds in the region near the Sea of Galilee, an area known for active fishing villages and devout Jewish communities. The synagogue official, historically known as Jairus (mentioned earlier in Mark 5), would have been responsible for the administration and upkeep of the local synagogue in that region, reflecting the significance of his role among his people.
The core of Jesus’s response is a powerful reassurance: “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.” (v.36). This statement follows a pattern observed in Jesus’s ministry, where faith is emphasized over fear (Matthew 14:27). Such an approach resonates throughout the New Testament and points to Jesus’s divine authority—He demonstrates that fear of earthly circumstances pales in comparison to the sovereign power of God. In speaking these words, Jesus invites the synagogue official to move from anxiety to trust, highlighting that belief in Christ’s words and actions ushers in hope even amidst hopelessness.
Finally, Jesus’s command not to fear but to believe underscores His mission of bringing salvation and wholeness to those who trust in Him. By linking the official’s faith to the miraculous events that follow, Mark’s Gospel reveals Jesus’s identity as the Messiah, fulfilling prophets’ words and preparing hearts to receive the fullness of God’s kingdom. This notion directly anticipates the message of Jesus’s resurrection in the Gospels, where belief triumphs over fear and signals eternal life (John 11:25).