Mark 5:39
New International Version
He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.”

New Living Translation
He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.”

English Standard Version
And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.”

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

Berean Literal Bible
And having entered, He says to them, "Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeps."

King James Bible
And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

New King James Version
When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.”

New American Standard Bible
And after entering, He said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child has not died, but is asleep.”

NASB 1995
And entering in, He said to them, “Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is asleep.”

NASB 1977
And entering in, He said to them, “Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is asleep.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And entering in, He said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and crying? The child has not died, but is asleep.”

Amplified Bible
When He had gone in, He said to them, “Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is sleeping.”

Christian Standard Bible
He went in and said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He went in and said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.”

American Standard Version
And when he was entered in, he saith unto them, Why make ye a tumult, and weep? the child is not dead, but sleepeth.

Contemporary English Version
Then Jesus went inside and said to them, "Why are you crying and carrying on like this? The child isn't dead. She is just asleep."

English Revised Version
And when he was entered in, he saith unto them, Why make ye a tumult, and weep? the child is not dead, but sleepeth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When he came into the house, he asked them, "Why are you making so much noise and crying? The child isn't dead. She's just sleeping."

Good News Translation
He went in and said to them, "Why all this confusion? Why are you crying? The child is not dead--she is only sleeping!"

International Standard Version
He entered the house and asked them, "Why all this confusion and crying? The child isn't dead. She's sleeping."

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

NET Bible
When he entered he said to them, "Why are you distressed and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep."

New Heart English Bible
And when he had entered in, he said to them, "Why do you make an uproar and weep? The child is not dead, but is asleep.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when he had come in, he saith to them, Why make ye this tumult, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

Weymouth New Testament
He goes in. "Why all this outcry and loud weeping?" He asks; "the child is asleep, not dead."

World English Bible
When he had entered in, he said to them, “Why do you make an uproar and weep? The child is not dead, but is asleep.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and having gone in He says to them, “Why do you make a tumult, and weep? The child did not die, but sleeps”;

Berean Literal Bible
And having entered, He says to them, "Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeps."

Young's Literal Translation
and having gone in he saith to them, 'Why do ye make a tumult, and weep? the child did not die, but doth sleep;

Smith's Literal Translation
And having time in, he says to them, Why make ye an uproar, and weep? the young child is not dead, but sleeps.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And going in, he saith to them: Why make you this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And entering, he said to them: “Why are you disturbed and weeping? The girl is not dead, but is asleep.”

New American Bible
So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.”

New Revised Standard Version
When he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So he entered and said to them, Why are you excited and crying? The little girl is not dead, but she is asleep.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he entered and he said to them, “Why are you disturbed and weeping? The girl is not dead, but she is sleeping.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he went in and said to them: Why do you make a tumult and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeps.

Godbey New Testament
and having come in, He says to them, Why are you excited and weeping? The child is not dead, but sleepeth.

Haweis New Testament
And entering in he saith, Why make ye this uproar, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

Mace New Testament
at his going in he said to them, what's the meaning of this uproar, what do you weep for? the damsel is not dead, but asleep.

Weymouth New Testament
He goes in. "Why all this outcry and loud weeping?" He asks; "the child is asleep, not dead."

Worrell New Testament
And, having entered, He saith to them, "Why do ye make a tumult, and weep? the child did not die, but she is sleeping."

Worsley New Testament
and when He was come in, He saith unto them, Why do ye take on thus and weep? the child is not dead, but asleep.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Healing Touch of Jesus
38When they arrived at the house of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw the commotion and the people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but asleep.” 40And they laughed at Him. After He had put them all outside, He took the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and went in to see the child.…

Cross References
John 11:11-14
After He had said this, He told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up.” / His disciples replied, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will get better.” / They thought that Jesus was talking about actual sleep, but He was speaking about the death of Lazarus. ...

Luke 8:52-53
Meanwhile, everyone was weeping and mourning for her. But Jesus said, “Stop weeping; she is not dead but asleep.” / And they laughed at Him, knowing that she was dead.

Matthew 9:24
“Go away,” He told them. “The girl is not dead, but asleep.” And they laughed at Him.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. / For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.

John 5:28-29
Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice / and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

Daniel 12:2
And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— / in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

Acts 20:9-10
And a certain young man named Eutychus, seated in the window, was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell from the third story and was picked up dead. / But Paul went down, threw himself on the young man, and embraced him. “Do not be alarmed!” he said. “He is still alive!”

1 Kings 17:21-22
Then he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the LORD, “O LORD my God, please let this boy’s life return to him!” / And the LORD listened to the voice of Elijah, and the child’s life returned to him, and he lived.

2 Kings 4:32-35
When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his bed. / So he went in, closed the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the LORD. / Then Elisha got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eye to eye, and hand to hand. As he stretched himself out over him, the boy’s body became warm. ...

John 6:39-40
And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of those He has given Me, but raise them up at the last day. / For it is My Father’s will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Revelation 1:17-18
When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last, / the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades.

Isaiah 26:19
Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust! For your dew is like the dew of the morning, and the earth will bring forth her dead.

Ezekiel 37:12-14
Therefore prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘O My people, I will open your graves and bring you up from them, and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. / Then you, My people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. / I will put My Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD.’”

Job 14:12-14
so a man lies down and does not rise. Until the heavens are no more, he will not be awakened or roused from sleep. / If only You would hide me in Sheol and conceal me until Your anger has passed! If only You would appoint a time for me and then remember me! / When a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, until my renewal comes.


Treasury of Scripture

And when he was come in, he said to them, Why make you this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleeps.

not dead.

Daniel 12:2
And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

John 11:11-13
These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep…

Acts 20:10
And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.

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Asleep Child Commotion Damsel Dead Die Died Entered Entering Goes Loud Making Outcry Sleep Sleepeth Sleeping Sleeps Tumult Uproar Wailing Weep Weeping
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Asleep Child Commotion Damsel Dead Die Died Entered Entering Goes Loud Making Outcry Sleep Sleepeth Sleeping Sleeps Tumult Uproar Wailing Weep Weeping
Mark 5
1. Jesus delivering the possessed of the legion of demons,
13. they enter into the pigs.
22. He is entreated by Jairus to go and heal his daughter.
25. He heals the woman subject to bleeding,
35. and raises Jairus' daughter from death.














He went inside
This phrase indicates Jesus' intentional movement into a private space, symbolizing His willingness to enter into the intimate and painful moments of human life. The Greek word "εἰσελθών" (eiselthōn) suggests a purposeful action, emphasizing Jesus' authority and compassion. Historically, entering a home was a sign of respect and involvement, showing that Jesus was not distant from the suffering of others.

and said to them
Jesus' communication here is direct and authoritative. The Greek "λέγει" (legei) implies a declaration rather than a mere conversation. In the context of the Gospels, Jesus' words often carry transformative power, indicating that what He is about to say will challenge the current understanding and bring new insight.

Why all this commotion and weeping?
This rhetorical question challenges the mourners' perception of the situation. The Greek "θόρυβος" (thorybos) for "commotion" suggests a chaotic and noisy disturbance, while "κλαυθμός" (klauthmos) for "weeping" indicates deep sorrow. Jesus is not dismissing their grief but is preparing to redefine their understanding of life and death. In the cultural context, professional mourners would often be present, amplifying the atmosphere of despair.

The child is not dead
Here, Jesus makes a profound statement that contradicts the visible reality. The Greek "οὐκ ἀπέθανεν" (ouk apethanen) means "not dead," suggesting a different perspective on death. From a theological standpoint, this reflects the Christian belief in Jesus' power over death and His ability to bring life where there seems to be none. It challenges the finality of death and points to the hope of resurrection.

but asleep
The term "asleep" (Greek "καθεύδει" - katheudei) is often used metaphorically in the New Testament to describe death from a divine perspective. It implies temporariness and the expectation of awakening. This reflects the early Christian understanding of death as a temporary state before the resurrection. Jesus' use of this term reassures the mourners and the readers of the Gospel that death is not the end, but a transition to a new beginning in Christ.

Verse 39.- Some have regarded the words of our Lord, the child is not dead, but sleepeth, as really meaning that she was only in a swoon. But although she was actually dead in the ordinary sense of that word, namely, that her spirit h

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
He went inside
εἰσελθὼν (eiselthōn)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1525: To go in, come in, enter. From eis and erchomai; to enter.

[and] asked,
λέγει (legei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“Why
Τί (Ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

all this commotion
θορυβεῖσθε (thorybeisthe)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2350: From thorubos; to be in tumult, i.e. Disturb, clamor.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

weeping?
κλαίετε (klaiete)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2799: To weep, weep for, mourn, lament. Of uncertain affinity; to sob, i.e. Wail aloud.

The
τὸ (to)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

child
παιδίον (paidion)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3813: Neuter diminutive of pais; a childling, i.e., an infant, or a half-grown boy or girl; figuratively, an immature Christian.

is not dead,
ἀπέθανεν (apethanen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 599: To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off.

but
ἀλλὰ (alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

asleep.”
καθεύδει (katheudei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2518: To sleep, be sleeping. From kata and heudo; to lie down to rest, i.e. to fall asleep.


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NT Gospels: Mark 5:39 When he had entered in he said (Mar Mk Mr)
Mark 5:38
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