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Mark 5:40
ESV And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child 's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was.
NIV But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was.
NASB And they began laughing at Him. But putting them all outside, He *took along the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and *entered the room where the child was in bed.
CSB They laughed at him, but he put them all outside. He took the child’s father, mother, and those who were with him, and entered the place where the child was.
NLT The crowd laughed at him. But he made them all leave, and he took the girl’s father and mother and his three disciples into the room where the girl was lying.
KJV 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.
NKJV And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying.

What does Mark 5:40 mean?

When Jesus insists that Jairus' daughter is not dead but sleeping, "they" mock Him. Who exactly is meant by "they" is undefined in Mark, but Luke 8:52–53 identifies the individuals as the professional mourners. "Laughed" is from the Greek root word katagelao which means to deride. If the crowd had really cared about the girl, they might be hopeful or even angry, but by treating Jesus like a fool, they show that they see this event as just another day at work.

According to Matthew 9:25, the professional mourners are inside the house. "Putting [them] out" is from the Greek root word ekballo which means to cast someone out forcefully. In Mark 5:36, Jesus tells Jairus, "Do not fear, only believe." Jesus gives Jairus reason to hope. When faced with a crowd that threatens to kill that hope, Jesus responds by throwing the crowd out.

There is a time to wade into the sea of a faith-testing, hope-squashing, lost world and boldly preach the gospel of Christ. However, when we're in a spiritually vulnerable frame of mind, that is probably not what we need. The church is designed so that the members can encourage each other (Hebrews 10:25), love each other (1 John 4:12), and show kindness and compassion (Ephesians 4:32). God does not intend us to always be in the thick of spiritual battle. We also need times of rest and encouragement (Mark 6:31; 1 Thessalonians 5:11). If that means avoiding draining people for a time, that is perfectly fine.
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