Jesus spoke these Aramaic words as recorded by Mark in his Gospel (Mark 5:41). Jairus, a synagogue official in the Galilean region, called on Jesus to heal his sick daughter. The girl died before Jesus arrived. When he arrived, Jesus took the girl's hand and said, "Talitha cumi," meaning "Little girl, arise." "Talitha" is a term of affection meaning "lamb" or "youth." "Cumi" is a command to rise up. Mark translated the word as "I say to you, arise!"
In his Gospel, Mark includes other Aramaic phrases Jesus spoke (Mark 3:17; 5:41; 7:11, 34; 11:9–10; 14:36; 15:22, 34). Matthew only records two Aramaic phrases (Matthew 27:33, 46). Luke's gospel includes none of these phrases.