35 While lie yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daugh- ter is dead : why troublest thou the Master any further ?
36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
_ 37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
3S And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.
39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not
dead, but sleepeth.
40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi ; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, Arise.
42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked ; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.
43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it ; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.
A great miracle is recorded in these verses. A dead girl is restored to life. Mighty as the " King of terrors" is, there is One mightier than he. The keys of death are in our Lord Jesus Christ's hands. He will one day " swallow up death in victory." (Isaiah xxv. 8.)
Let us learn from these verses, that rank places no man
* Some remarks of Melancthon's on this woman's case are worth reading. We are doubtless to be careful that we do not hastily attach an allegorical and mystical sense to the words of Scripture. Yet we must not forget the depth of meaning which lies in all the acts of our Lord's earthly ministry ; and at any rate there is much beauty in the thoughts which the good Reformer expresses. He says, " This woman doth aptly represent the Jewish synagogue vexed a long time with many mischiefs and miseries, especially tortured with unconscionable princes, and unskilful priests, or physicians of the soul, the Pharisees and Sadducees ; on whom she had wasted all her goods, and yet she was not a whit better, but rather much worse, till the blessed Lord of Israel in his own person came to ' visit and redeem her.' "