Hearing without listening

Jairus, a leader of the synagogue, asked Jesus to help his dying daughter. On the way, word came that she had already died. There was no point any more, the messengers said.

Mark uses a special verb here. It means Jesus heard what was said, but it can also mean he ignored it. He heard the bad news and didn't let it have the last word. To the father he said only: be not afraid, only believe.