Note 1 at Mk. 5:41: This was an Aramaic phrase that means "maid-arise!" Aramaic words were used elsewhere in scripture (Mt. 27:46; Mk. 7:34; 15:34) although reasons for their use are not given. It becomes evident from a historical perspective, however, that Aramaic was the language most commonly spoken by Jesus and large numbers of Jews.

The Aramaic language uses the same alphabet as the Jewish language, but differs in pronunciation and grammar somewhat. The Assyrian language which was spoken in Babylon was also closely related. When the Jews returned from the Babylonian captivity, Aramaic was the language adopted by them to use in everyday affairs and business. Hebrew scriptures were also translated into Aramaic.

Just as in modern English literature when foreign words or expressions are inserted when the author feels an English word does not adequately express what he is trying to communicate, Matthew and Mark may have felt their Aramaic words more correctly rendered their meaning than any Greek word.