Charles Spurgeon Commentary Mark 5:37-39

"And he suffered no man to follow with him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And they come to the house of the ruler of the synagogue; and he beholdeth a tumult, and [many] weeping and wailing greatly. And when he was entered in, he saith unto them, Why make ye a tumult, and weep? the child is not dead, but sleepeth." — Mark 5:37-39 (ASV)

And he allowed no one to follow him, except Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And he comes to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and sees the tumult, and those who wept and wailed greatly. And when he had come in, he says to them, Why do you make this commotion, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleeps.

She was dead, but not dead as far as Christ's intention was concerned; she was not so dead as to remain dead. He meant soon to bring her back again to life, and therefore to him it was as if she were only sleeping.