Mark 5:37Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Meanwhile, he permits only the three disciples to accompany him, as the meek Jesus seeks to avoid any actions for mere spectacle.

He only took Peter, James, and John, the brother of James, along with Him. One might wonder why these three are consistently selected while others are not included. They were present on the mountain during the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-3; Mark 9:2-4; Luke 9:28-30). The significance of this trio is tied to the mystery of the Trinity, marking it as a sacred number. Furthermore, Jewish tradition recounts how Jacob placed three types of rods in the watering troughs (Genesis 30:38). Additionally, it is stated, “And a thread threefold twisted shall not soon be torn” (Eccl. 4:12). Therefore, Peter is chosen as the one upon whom the Church is built (cf. Matt. 16:18); James is selected, being the first Apostle to receive the honor of martyrdom (cf. Acts 12:2); and John is chosen, laying the groundwork for purity (cf. Jn. 19:26; Jn. 20:2; Jn. 21:7, 20).

When the Lord had spoken these words, a message arrived for Jairus that his daughter had passed away. Yet, Jesus reassured him, saying, Do not fear, but trust that I can bring her back to life. He arrived at the home, which was in a state of turmoil. This scene could have posed a threat to one’s faith. The Lord reassured them by stating that the girl was not dead, but merely sleeping; they mocked Him; He expelled them all, and, once alone with the parents and a few of the disciples, He took the girl by the hand and called out, ‘Little girl, arise,’ and she was restored to life: the astonished parents received a command to remain quiet. The intention behind this silence stemmed from the potential threat posed by the Pharisees and the unpredictability of the crowd.

Only those who grasped this profound mystery could truly witness its revelation, not the hired mourners who ridiculed Jesus, nor the curious onlookers captivated by the spectacle. Therefore, He brought along solely three of His twelve apostles—Peter, John, and James—whom He esteemed during His transfiguration and at the prayer in Gethsemane. An exception was made only for the parents of the deceased.

Upon reaching His residence, they encountered a chaotic scene filled with paid mourners and flute players, who, through their insincere noise and clamor, beat their chests in mockery of the genuine silence of true grief and the solemn grandeur of death. These hollow wails stirred the spirit of Christ; pausing at the entrance to prevent the multitude from accompanying Him, He proceeded into the house accompanied by only three of His closest disciples: Peter, James, and John.

Peter, James, and John were the three most trusted disciples of Christ, whom He subsequently honored by allowing them to witness the most significant events (cf. Matt. 17:1 ff.).

The healing of the woman afflicted by bleeding served to uplift Jairus and bolster his trust in the Lord’s miraculous ability. While Jesus was still offering his final words of comfort to her, messengers arrived from the synagogue ruler's home bearing the sorrowful news: Your daughter has died; why trouble the Master any further? ‘Christ wished for them to fully grasp the girl’s death so they would later have no reason to doubt her resurrection’ (St John Chrysostom). Upon hearing of the girl’s passing, the Lord spoke to her father: ‘Do not fear, only believe, and she shall be made well’ (St. Athanasius of Alexandria).