Mark 5:43

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 5:43 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he charged them much that no man should know this: and he commanded that [something] should be given her to eat.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he charged them much that no man should know this: and he commanded that [something] should be given her to eat.
Mark 5:43 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
43And he charged them much that no man should know this: and he commanded that [something] should be given her to eat.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he charged them straitly that no man should know it, etc..] From them, immediately, and whilst he was upon the spot; for that the thing could be long concealed, it was not reasonable to suppose: this charge he gave, to show his dislike of ostentation and popular applause, and to avoid the envy of the Scribes and Pharisees, and prevent the people from making any attempts to proclaim him king; his time not being yet come to die, he having some other work to do; and a more full manifestation of him being reserved for another time, and to be done in another way. And commanded that something should be given her to eat; which would be an evidence not only that she was really alive, but that…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See the account of the raising of Jairus’ daughter, and the healing of the woman with an issue of blood, fully explained in the notes at Matthew 9:18-26. Mark 5:23 Lieth at the point of death - Is dying; in the last agonies. Mark 5:26 Had suffered many things - Had resorted to many things painful, by the direction of the physicians, in order to be healed. Mark 5:27 Came in the press behind - In the crowd that pressed upon him. This was done to avoid being noticed. It was an act of faith. She was full of confidence that Jesus was able to heal, but she trembled on account of her conscious unworthiness, thus illustrating the humility and confidence of a sinner coming to God for pardon and life.…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“He charged them that no man should know it - That he might avoid every appearance of vain glory, might prevent too great a concourse of people, and might not farther enrage the scribes and Pharisees against him; the time for his death, and for the full manifestation of his glory, being not yet come. He commanded something should be given her to eat - So that when either natural or spiritual life is restored, even by immediate miracle, all proper means are to be used in order to preserve it. Next: Mark Chapter 6”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“5:43 The miracle is followed by a command not to tell anyone what had happened (see 3:11-12). • give her something to eat: The Lord of nature, demons, illness, and death is also concerned with the daily needs of his creatures.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he charged: Mar 1:43, Mar 3:12, Mar 7:36; Mat 8:4, Mat 9:30, Mat 12:16-18, Mat 17:9; Luk 5:14, Luk 8:56; Joh 5:41 and commanded: This was to shew that she had not only returned to life, but was also restored to perfect health; and to intimate, that though raised to life by extraordinary power, she must be continued in existence, as before, by the use of ordinary means. The advice of a heathen, on another subject, is quite applicable: Nec Deus intersit, nisi dignus vindice nodus incideriṫ "When the miraculous power of God is necessary, let it be resorted to; when not necessary, let the ordinary means be used." To act otherwise would be to tempt God. Given: Luk 24:30, Luk 24:42, Luk 24:43;…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification