John Calvin Commentary Mark 5:39

"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 5:39 (ASV)

The girl sleeps. Sleep is everywhere in Scripture employed to denote death; and there is no doubt that this comparison, taken from temporal rest, points to a future resurrection.

But here Christ expressly makes a distinction between sleep and death, so as to excite an expectation of life. His meaning is, “You will soon see her raised up whom you suppose to be dead.”

That He was ridiculed by thoughtless and ignorant people, who were wholly engrossed with profane lamentation and did not comprehend His design, should not cause surprise. And yet this very circumstance was an additional confirmation of the miracle: those persons entertained no doubt whatever as to her death.