It is difficult to understand, especially since the demon-possessed man went about proclaiming that Jesus had healed him without rebuke (Mark 5:20). Added to this, Jesus’ ministry in Mark’s Gospel begins with bold proclamation (Mark 1:14–15). Furthermore, the bleeding woman heard about Jesus because reports were spreading throughout the area (Mark 5:27). Many of Jesus' works had already been known, and it is therefor unlikely that Jesus wanted to hide all of his works.
It might have had something to do with the size of Jairus’s home.1 But that was not an issue when Jesus healed the paralyzed man (Mark 2:1–12). We do know from the rest of Mark’s Gospel that these three disciples were the only ones present at moments of significant revelation: the transfiguration (Mark 13:3); final discourse (Mark 13:3); and Gethsemane (Mark 14:33). Therefore, beginning here, we might refer to Peter, James, and John as the core group of Jesus’ disciples among the twelve.
In addition to the setting apart of these three disciples by Jesus, which continues throughout Mark’s Gospel, there are at least two more reasons why Jesus did not want his raising of the dead broadcast widely:2
Jesus wanted to avoid confusion around the larger scope of his ministry. Though Jesus raises this girl from the dead, it is only a temporary defeat of death. For she would die later, similar to Lazarus (John 11:26). But Jesus’ resurrection is the one that will forever change the futures of those who trust in him (Mark 9:9; Mark 15:39).
Jesus will bring complete release from the jaws of death through his own death and resurrection.
Jesus wanted to avoid being mistaken for a mighty miracle worker, but nothing more. Indeed, a few chapters on Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for demanding a sign (Mark 8:11–13). Though he did wondrous things, they were always tied to his proclamation of God’s kingdom (Mark 1:14–15).
37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James.