Lieth at the point of death - Is dying; in the last agonies.

My little daughter - Το θυγατριον μου, that little daughter of mine. The words express much tenderness and concern. Luke observes, Luke 8:42, that she was his only daughter, and was about twelve years of age.

At the point of death - Εσχατως εχει, in the last extremity, the last gasp.

See on Matthew 9:18 (note).

And besought him greatly,.... Used much importunity with him, and was very urgent in his requests:

saying, my little daughter lieth at the point of death, or "is in the last extremity"; just breathing out her last; for she was not actually dead when he left her, though she was before he returned, and was at this time, as he might expect, expiring, or really gone; See Gill on Matthew 9:18.

I pray thee come and lay thine hands on her, that she may be healed, and she shall live; expressing faith in the power of Christ to restore his daughter, though in the utmost extremity; yet seemed to think his presence, and the imposition of his hands were necessary to it.

My little daughter (τὸ θυγάτριον)

This little endearing touch in the use of the diminutive is peculiar to Mark.

Lieth at the point of death (ἐσχάτως ἔχει)

One of the uncouth phrases peculiar to Mark's style, and which are cited by some as evidence of the early composition of his gospel.

I pray thee come (ἵνα ἐλθὼν)

The words I pray thee are not in the Greek. Literally the ruler's words run thus: My little daughter lieth at the point of death - that thou come, etc. In his anguish he speaks brokenly and incoherently.

He went (ἐπῆλθεν)

Lit., went away. The aorist tense, denoting action once for all, is in contrast with the imperfects, ἠκολούθει, kept following, and συνέθλιβον, kept thronging. The multitude kept following and thronging as he went along. The preposition σύν, together, in the latter verb, indicates the united pressure of a crowd. Compare Tynd., Mark 5:31. Thrusting thee on every side.

And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.

5:23 At the point of death. In Mr 5:35 the word comes to the ruler that his daughter is dead. Matthew in his account condenses the two reports and says, My daughter is even now dead (Mt 9:18).

23. And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter-Luke (Lu 8:42) says, "He had one only daughter, about twelve years of age." According to a well-known rabbin, quoted by Lightfoot, a daughter, till she had completed her twelfth year, was called "little," or "a little maid"; after that, "a young woman."

lieth at the point of death-Matthew (Mt 9:18) gives it thus: "My daughter is even now dead"-"has just expired." The news of her death reached the father after the cure of the woman with the issue of blood: but Matthew's brief account gives only the result, as in the case of the centurion's servant (Mt 8:5, &c.).

come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live-or, "that she may be healed and live," according to a fully preferable reading. In one of the class to which this man belonged, so steeped in prejudice, such faith would imply more than in others.

The Woman with an Issue of Blood Healed (Mr 5:24-34).

5:21-34 A despised gospel will go where it will be better received. One of the rulers of a synagogue earnestly besought Christ for a little daughter, about twelve years old, who was dying. Another cure was wrought by the way. We should do good, not only when in the house, but when we walk by the way, De 6:7. It is common with people not to apply to Christ till they have tried in vain all other helpers, and find them, as certainly they will, physicians of no value. Some run to diversions and gay company; others plunge into business, or even into intemperance; others go about to establish their own righteousness, or torment themselves by vain superstitions. Many perish in these ways; but none will ever find rest to the soul by such devices; while those whom Christ heals of the disease of sin, find in themselves an entire change for the better. As secret acts of sin, so secret acts of faith, are known to the Lord Jesus. The woman told all the truth. It is the will of Christ that his people should be comforted, and he has power to command comfort to troubled spirits. The more simply we depend on Him, and expect great things from him, the more we shall find in ourselves that he is become our salvation. Those who, by faith, are healed of their spiritual diseases, have reason to go in peace.