Mark 5:41

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

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Jesus speaks to a twelve-year-old girl in a private room after dismissing the mourners and entering with her parents and close companions. He addresses her while holding her hand, immediately before she rises and begins to walk.

The words — The Aramaic phrase “Talitha koum” translates literally to “Little girl, get up.” The Greek text notes Jesus κρατήσας (kratēsas), “taking,” her χειρός (cheiros), “hand.”

The thread — This pattern of physical contact paired with a command to rise appears in Mark 1:31, where Jesus takes a feverish woman by the hand, and Luke 8:54, where He takes another girl by the hand and commands her to rise. Luke 7:14 shows a similar command to a young man, though Jesus touches a coffin rather than a person.

Why it lands — The text records a direct command that produces immediate physical action, requiring the reader to observe how Jesus’ spoken word and physical touch operate together to restore life. It demands attention to the plain sequence of events without adding theological speculation.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

καὶkaiAnd κρατήσαςkratēsaswhen taking τῆςtēsof the χειρὸςcheiroshand τοῦtouof the παιδίουpaidiouchild λέγειlegeiHe says αὐτῇ·autēato her;ταλιθαtalithaTalitha κουμ,koumkoum!ὅhoWhich ἐστινestinis μεθερμηνευόμενον,methermēneuomenonbeing translated,τὸtoO κοράσιον,korasionLittle girl,σοὶsoito you λέγω,legōI say,ἔγειρε.egeiredo arise.

King James Version

And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

Cross-references

Mark 1:31 So He went to her, took her by the hand, and helped her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them.
Luke 7:14 Then He went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. “Young man,” He said, “I tell you, get up!”
Luke 8:54 But Jesus took her by the hand and called out, “Child, get up!”
John 5:28 Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice
Acts 9:40 Then Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down and prayed, and turning toward her body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up.
Philippians 3:21 who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.
Genesis 1:3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Psalms 33:9 For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.
John 11:43 After Jesus had said this, He called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
Romans 4:17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the presence of God, in whom he believed, the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not yet exist.