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Matthew 9:18-26

A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman

While He told these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live." Jesus got up and followed him, as did His disciples. Behold, a woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years came behind Him, and touched the tassels of His garment; for she said within herself, "If I just touch his garment, I will be made well."

But Jesus, turning around and seeing her, said, "Daughter, cheer up! Your faith has made you well."

And the woman was made well from that hour.

When Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the flute players and the crowd in noisy disorder, He said to them, "Make room, because the girl isn't dead, but sleeping."

They were ridiculing Him. But when the crowd was put out, He entered in, took her by the hand, and the girl arose. The report of this went out into all that land.

What made the woman`s faith so powerful? How does one obtain faith like the woman?

The Gospel of Matthew now continues its development of the theme of Jesus’ authority with the report of two incidents that show His authority over death: He healed a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years and then He raised a little girl from the dead. In both cases He was restoring life to them.

Correlation with the Synoptic Gospels: This material is also found in Mark 5:22-43, where the passage is longer than Matthew’s report. There are some interesting additions to consider. First, Mark tells us that the ruler was a synagogue ruler, whose name was Jairus. The word that Matthew used for “ruler” in this Jewish town would harmonize with that. Second, Mark reports that Jairus first said that his daughter was dying, but then when they were getting ready to go to his home the messengers came and said that the little girl was dead. Matthew has simply condensed the account and went immediately to the conclusion that the girl had died. Third, Mark adds that the woman who met Jesus on the way, had suffered under the care of many doctors but had only gotten worse. Mark also includes the little exchange where Jesus asked who touched Him, and where the woman came and fell at His feet. Matthew’s account is abbreviated in what is of interest to his point. Then, fourth, Mark says that Jesus took Peter, James and John to Jairus’s house, and with them and the girl’s parents in the room performed the miracle by saying “Little girl, arise” (in Aramaic, Talitha koumi). Matthew simply said that Jesus took her by the hand and she got up. Mark gives final details that she was twelve years old, and that Jesus gave strict orders not to tell anyone about this, and to give her something to eat. Luke 8:40-56 runs fairly closely to Mark’s account, only varying slightly in the wording or in the inclusion of the details. We would notice that sometimes the English translation of the Bible can give the impression of confusing in the text. This section in Matthew seems clearly to begin while Jesus is still in Matthew’s house answering questions. But if you look at Mark 5:21, 22 it is translated and arranged in the NIV to indicate that this took place while He was by the lake. In fact, Mark 5:21 should be the conclusion of the preceding section, telling us that Jesus returned from the other side of the lake. Then, Mark 5:22 simply starts the new section--which harmonizes with Matthew’s indication that He was in Matthew’s house. Likewise the translation of the NIV in Luke needs clarification. Luke 8:40 should be the completion of the account of the healing of the demon possessed man. The translation “then” that begins Luke 8:41, giving the impression that Jairus came immediately is a stronger translation than the construction (kai idou) requires. The construction simply suggests a new or surprising thing (see further on this kind of material the commentaries, especially Carson, Matthew, in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, edited by Gaebelein (Zondervan Publishing Company). So there is no reason to conclude that Mark and Luke have this passage begin on the shore of the lake in contrast to Matthew’s placing it in the house. The point is simply that when there seems to be a discrepancy we need to compare translations to see how the lines have been translated, and do not simply assume that there is a discrepancy until you see if there are other ways to translate it. Here the commentaries may offer some explanation of how the lines could be translated and interpreted. What might get a little technical; but it has to be done. So, what do we have with Matthew, then? Matthew does not tell us that after Jesus healed the demoniac He crossed back to the other side of the lake, while the other two gospels do. It begins in 9:9-13 with Jesus’ calling of Matthew as a disciple, and then His dinner in Matthew’s house, something for which He was criticized. Then, John’s disciples came and asked Him about fasting (9:14-17). He was still in the house. Then, while He was answering John’s disciples, Jairus came and asked Him to come. At that point Matthew offers his abbreviated version of the events. Observations on the Text: The passage is dealing with life and death issues. In both the case of the woman and the case of the little girl, life had ceased (in different ways). The miracles in both cases show that Jesus has the authority to restore life. This is the main point of the passage. But now we are dealing with women specifically. A woman has been suffering with bleeding for twelve years. We are not told what kind of bleeding this is. We assume, and it is only an assumption, that it is connected to her womb. If it is then she would be unclean according to Leviticus 15:25-33, meaning that she could not go to the temple to worship, could not participate in normal marital relationships, and should not even touch someone else. But when Jesus healed her He was showing that He could solve such uncleanness. He could meet the demands of the Law and make clean what was unclean. He would not be defiled by her touch, but she would be made whole by His power. So this very special emphasis in the gospel narratives shows that Jesus cared for the suffering of women in this plight. And it was not simply a difficulty she had to live with from time to time. It was hopeless, Jesus was her last hope. Then we have a sick girl who died, and Jesus came and raised her from the dead. She was twelve, the same age as the length of time that the woman had been afflicted with the flow of blood (and prevented from having a child). The woman had missed out on twelve years, perhaps on having a twelve year old daughter; the parents were about to lose their twelve year old daughter to death. The first represents the effect of the curse at the source of life with pain and bleeding; the second represents the effect of the curse on life with actual death. Jesus gave the life of the girl back to Jairus and his wife; and He gave health and the ability to produce life back to the woman. In both cases it was a provision of life for women over the effects of the curse. In both cases touching was an important part of the narrative. Jairus wanted Jesus to lay His hand on the daughter and she would be healed. The woman wanted to touch the hem of His cloak and be healed. (And in the other gospels Jesus is recorded as questioning who touched Him). But it was the faith behind the woman’s desire to touch the cloak that made her whole. And it was Jairus’ faith that brought him to seek Jesus. (And, according to the parallel gospel’s Jesus told Jairus not to be afraid, only believe). And one other observation: all of this began to unfold while Jesus was answering the question about fasting. While the bridegroom is with them, Jesus said, why the guests of the bridegroom should mourn. The time would come for mourning later. So here was Jesus enjoying a meal in Matthew’s house because He did not come to spend time with the healthy, but with the sick. Then, while He was explaining this, Jairus came with news of a sick girl. Then, while He was going to the house He met a sick woman. And in both cases He reversed the sickness and made them whole. But at the house of Jairus the people were lamenting and mourning. But why should they be mourning when Jesus was still there. So He put them out of the house and raised the little girl. The Structure of the Passage: Here again we have a story within a story. In verses 18, 19 we have the request of the ruler for Jesus to come heal his daughter. In verses 20-22 we have the healing of the woman along the way. Then in verses 23-26 we have the raising of the little girl. In the synoptic gospels the delay to heal the woman is used to show that during that time the girl died. Matthew is not interested in developing that sequence, only in showing that Jesus healed a sick woman on the way to raising a dead girl. The two are connected in Matthew’s presentation of Jesus’ authority over death. The quotations also are interesting in this structure. The first is the request of the ruler for Jesus to come and lay His hand on the girl. The second is the thinking of the woman that if only she could touch His cloak she would be healed. The third is Jesus’ response to the woman that she was made whole. And the fourth is Jesus’ declaration that the little girl was just asleep. The first two are statements of faith in Jesus’ power. The last two are declarations of His power, to restore life. Analysis of the Text: I. Jesus responds to the request of the ruler to heal his daughter (18-19). This first part of the narrative does not need much further explanation, other than to explain how Matthew abbreviated the material. In Mark, for example, Jairus came and said his girl was dying, and that if Jesus came and put His hand on her she would live. It is clear that he was expecting her to die when he asked for help. Then, after the delay, messengers came and told Jairus not to bother the teacher anymore because the girl had died. But Jesus said to Jairus not to fear, only believe. Jairus did not initially say come and raise her from the dead. But after he heard that she had died, and after his servants told him not to bother the teacher any more, he obviously still wanted Jesus to come and lay His hand on the girl and raise her from the dead. He did believe as Jesus had told him to because they continued to the house. So Jairus ultimately did wanted Jesus to lay His hand on the girl and raise her from the dead, he believed Jesus could do that, and knew Jesus would have to do that because she had died. This is why Matthew has simply abbreviated the story and used the last desire of the ruler to express his request that Jesus restore his daughter’s life. The faith of this Jewish ruler (of the synagogue) is interesting and should be probed a little bit, because faith is only as great as the object of that faith. He had to know something about Jesus, because he believed that Jesus could raise his daughter by laying His hand on her. If you break it down the way Mark and Luke have done in greater detail, he believed that Jesus could make his daughter well, and then even after he heard that she died he believed that Jesus could raise her to life. No doubt he had seen the miracles of Jesus in and around the city of Capernaum where he lived. In fact the connection with the Centurion in Matthew 8 may be interesting to study, for that man had built the synagogue for the city, and Jesus had healed his servant. The Centurion, being a Gentile, did not want Jesus to come to his house; but Jairus, being a Jew, welcomed Jesus to his house, and yet Jairus had to go into Matthew’s house, the house of a “sinner,” to find Jesus, as if he himself had to humble himself in coming by faith to Jesus. At any rate, there were sufficient witnesses in the region to the power of Jesus so that this ruler came believing that if Jesus touched his little girl she would be well. And so Jesus got up from the dinner at Matthew’s house and went with this man towards his house where the girl was. He immediately went in response to this man’s faith in Him. II. Jesus restored life to a woman afflicted with bleeding (20-22). It is interesting how Matthew can summarize blocks of material in his narrating of the events, and then pay such attention to the smallest detail. The woman came and touched the “edge” of His cloak. This is a reference to the fringe, or perhaps the tassel (Matt. 23:5) of His cloak, which was a sign to remind the Jews to pray. Her touching that portion of the garment was an appeal to His spiritual inclinations; but her touching that portion of the garment of Jesus was an act of faith in His power to heal. Normally under Israelite Law if her bleeding was from the womb, and that would be the most logical assumption, then anyone she touched would have been made ceremonially unclean. Anyone but the holy one, that is. She believed that He could heal her, so He would not be contaminated by her. As already mentioned, the other gospels note how crowded it was, and how He knew someone had touched Him because power had gone out of Him. He was able to discern that in her touch faith was at work; other people touched Him in the crowded street, and perhaps even bumped into Him, but no power went out from Him. Her touch was from faith. Matthew cuts right to the core of the issue: he picks up where Jesus identified the woman and said to her, “Your faith has healed you.” The text uses the perfect tense, “has healed.” This assumes what the other synoptic explain, that He saw her after she had touched Him. There was no superstition or magic in touching the garment; the healing was because she had the faith to do it. The woman was healed from the hour (hora) of that encounter. It would be enjoyable to think for a few moments what this would have meant for this woman, even though we know nothing more about her. First, her illness was gone, after years with suffering and with doctors who could not help. All of us have been ill in some way, and know the delight of being well again, not having pain, infections, incapacitating illnesses, to be able to move freely and comfortably in life. Second, she was able to live the normal life of a woman. We do not know if she was married or not, but in any case, she would now be able to have a normal relation with a man, to enjoy a marriage, to have children. For a woman in Israel this was a sign of God’s blessing. But third, she could now enter the temple for the first time in twelve years, to be among the ceremonially clean, to hear the Levitical choirs, to offer her praise to God at the altar, and to eat from the holy flesh of the peace offering in the presence of God. All of this was because Jesus touched her, and reversed the reign of disease and death in her live. III. Jesus raised the little girl from death’s sleep (23-26). Now the narrative returns to the ruler’s little girl. When they came to the house they encountered the professional mourners. Matthew alone mentions the flute players and the noisy crowd (Jewish custom prescribed two flutes and one mourning woman). Matthew mentions these because he is showing that Jesus put away the mourning, that He reversed the symbolism of the funeral. Recall that Isaiah had said Messiah would turn the mourning into dancing (Isa. 61:1-3); and Jesus had said back in Matthew’s house that while the bridegroom, He Himself, was there, there was no reason for such fasting and mourning. In fact, in Matthew 11 Jesus will say that people criticized Him because He did not mourn when they sang the dirge; rather, He came eating and drinking. Well, here He encountered mourners and ran them off; He then raised the girl and told them to give her something to eat. It was a time for living, because Jesus was there. Jesus said that she was just asleep. But they laughed at Him. His use of the word “sleep” for death introduced for all who believe a different way of looking at death. It was a comparison of death with sleeping, for with Jesus the awakening from either is possible through His simple command. One of the best examples is in the story of the raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11). Jesus said to His disciples that Lazarus was asleep and they had to awaken him. The disciples did not understand; so Jesus had to say plainly that Lazarus was dead. This little girl was dead; everyone knew it. But Jesus said she was asleep, because He could awaken her. They mocked Him. The point is that a word from Jesus was laughed at. It all sounded too incredible to them (and a good deal of what Jesus said does sound incredible). They laughed because this great healer did not get there in time, and then He seemed to have gone too far to want to try His skills on a corpse. He would surely make a fool of Himself. But in such situations Jesus’ words became even more profound. When Jesus raised the little girl from the dead, He was not simply bringing a corpse to life, He was demonstrating that He has authority over death. And in doing so He was also showing that faith in Him would change despair into hope. His miracle of raising the little girl did not in and of itself prove that Jesus was more than a prophet, for other prophets had raised the dead (1 Kings 17:17-24; 2 Kings 4:17-37; and Acts 9:36-42). But those prophets and apostles never claimed to be more than prophets or apostles. Jesus constantly made much greater claims than they ever thought to make; and so when He did these kinds of miracles He was authenticating His claim to be the giver of life, the Messiah, the one who holds the keys of life and death (see also Rev. 1:18). The corpse of a person also could make someone unclean by contact. People who had to bury a corpse would be unclean till sundown, and then would have to wash in purification water, and then go through the re-entry into the sanctuary. But Jesus took her by the hand, and she was made clean, whole, and alive. He was not defiled. Interestingly, in the other gospels Jesus told them not to tell anyone about this, probably because He knew what He needed to do before the issue of His deity was to be challenged by the religious leaders, it was not the time for that confrontation yet. But Matthew reports that news of this spread throughout the entire region, understandably so. Correlation with Other Scriptures: As far as Old Testament passages are concerned, we have already seen the Messianic passages of the kind of things that the Messiah was to do, especially for those who mourn. And there are also the comparisons with the prophets who raised the dead. But a major area that we might need to study is the issue of the laws of uncleanness in Leviticus. In the forthcoming commentary on Leviticus, Holiness to the Lord (Baker Book House), there is fairly substantial discussion of it. To be ceremonially unclean simply meant that the unclean person could not enter into the Temple, the place where God dwelt among His people. This was not a punishment, for to be unclean did not necessarily mean the person was a sinner (it could, because one with unconfessed sin in the life was also called unclean). A person who was sick, defiled by contact with death or disease, menstruating, giving birth, had mildew in his or her house, and so forth, was “unclean.” (The word “unclean” is unfortunate, since it gives the wrong impression; but we do not have much to use instead). Unclean simply meant there was a barrier between clean and unclean, between God and what was unclean in particular. The law was teaching people that all contamination, corruption, disease, and death were earthly and physical, and therefore incompatible with the Holy Lord of life. And so while in a state of uncleanness the individual could not go to the sanctuary and could not contact others or it would render them unclean. In this passage the woman was unclean, and yet she touched Jesus believing that the contact would heal her. Her faith healed her, and He was not defiled by her uncleanness. Then, the death of the little girl would normally render someone unclean who came in contact with the corpse; but Jesus took her by the hand. He was not rendered unclean because she came to life. Jesus is the Holy One. He could not become unclean. And through His death on the cross He solved the problem of the curse. In fact, the Book of Revelation concludes by stating that nothing unclean will enter into heaven. It cannot, for God is there. Everything unclean will be changed, made perfectly whole, as these miracles of Jesus anticipate and preview. In the New Testament we would correlate other healing passages, of course, to see how Jesus demonstrated again and again His power to make whole, to make alive. The raising from the dead, though, would have to be correlated with John 11, for there Lazarus is called forth from the grave and Jesus teaches on His authority to raise the dead. 1 Corinthians 15 is the great passage on the resurrection of Jesus and what it means to our hope of resurrection. But in the chapter some familiar language is used: “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” For the believer to die is but to fall asleep. This is what Jesus said of the little girl. As an interesting sideline, note that the verb in Greek is koimao, “to sleep.” In the language certain suffixes and prefixes can add meaning to the verbal root. An ending -terion usually means “a place” where the action or state exists. So we derive koimeterion meaning “sleeping place,” or in Christian tradition, “cemetery.” This is the faith that overcomes even the grave. Conclusion and Application: The passage, then, teaches that Jesus has authority over death. He is able to reverse the effects of the curse to the restored order of creation, to turn dying and death into life, and to turn the affliction of death into the ability to produce life. This power authenticates the claims of Christ to be the Messiah, the Son of the Living God, as Peter will later put it. We notice here the same kinds of lessons we have seen in this part of the book. First, the passage calls for a response of faith, praise and thanksgiving for Christ and the promise of life that He brings. The passage should renew our faith in Him; it should remind us how He is the one who will remove the curse and bring about a whole new creation for those who have faith in Him. The promises of Christ are not to be laughed at, but to be heard and believed. Second, those who deal with illness and afflictions may still approach the Lord in faith, asking Him to heal them, or restore them to the fullness of life. They know that He will do this in the resurrection; but they may seek His grace to do it in this life and bring greater glory to God now. Third, as a minor application, we may think in terms of our view of death. We are not to mourn as the world mourns (and you can get into mourning customs if you wish). Death and dying is certainly not a time for levity or frivolity because it is a time of sorrow. And yet for the Christian death may simply be seen as a time when the body falls asleep in Jesus, until He returns with a shout, and all the dead in Christ will rise to new and everlasting life. This is the Christian hope. And the raising of this little girl was Jesus’ declaration to all of us that death is no obstacle in God’s program.

Meditation:

Do you take your troubles to the Lord with expectant faith and confidence in his help? People in desperate or helpless circumstances were not disappointed when they sought Jesus out. What drew them to Jesus? Was it hope for a miracle or a word of comfort in their affliction? What did the elderly woman who had suffered greatly for twelve years expect Jesus to do for her? And what did a grieving father expect Jesus to do about his lost beloved daughter? Jesus gave hope where there seemed to be no human cause for it because His hope was directed to God. He spoke words of hope to the woman (Take heart, daughter!) to ignite the spark of faith in her (your faith has made you well!). And He also gave divine hope to a father who had just lost a beloved child. It took considerable courage and risk for the ruler of a synagogue to openly go to Jesus and to invite the scorn of his neighbors and kin. Even the hired mourners laughed at him in scorn. Their grief was devoid of any hope. Nonetheless, Jesus took the girl by the hand and delivered her from the grasp of death. In both instances we see Jesus' personal concern for the needs of others and His readiness to heal and restore life. In Jesus we see the infinite love of God extending to each and every individual as He gives freely and wholly of Himself to each person He meets. Do you approach the Lord with confident expectation that He will hear your request and act?

"Lord, you love each of us individually with a unique and personal love. Touch My life with Your saving power, heal and restore me to fullness of life. Help me to give wholly of myself in loving service to others."

Matthew 9:18-26 - The desperate cry of my faith!

Keywords: Matthew 9, Divine Delays, Patience, Healing, (Suggest a Keyword)

There is a kind of grief that hangs in the air in funerals with anticipation like storm clouds ready to flood the earth with rain. A kind of grief which needs to be expressed in tears, and saying goodbye. The person has already gone, but you still have to say goodbye, for your sake, not theirs. It’s as if the person we loved is at the end of the lane and waving to you and you are too late to say goodbye personally. So you wave and mourn their passing.

Have you noticed that a funeral is often a place where people seek Jesus? In Matthew 9:18 Jesus is obviously the last chance for a man mourning for his daughter because he actually leaves the funeral in order to find Him. He refuses to accept the death of his daughter. After a small delay, Jesus goes to his house.

"When Jesus arrived at the official’s home, He saw the noisy crowd and heard the funeral music.”Get out!" He told them. "The girl isn’t dead; she’s only asleep." But the crowd laughed at Him." (Matthew 9:23-24 NLT). It was nervous laughter no doubt. Try walking up to the coffin in the middle of a funeral service and pronounce that the person is only sleeping. There’ll be some nervous laughter, but then you’ll be escorted out by the larger male members of the family before you get any further!

But before they have time to get angry and call for the cousins to escort Jesus out, Jairus probably intervenes. It is his daughter who has died. It is his home. The crowd is asked to leave. This is the short version. Some people would be feeling sorry for Jairus and try to convince him to be more rational. Some would recognize who Jesus was and realize the authority with which He speaks. Jesus wasn’t saying that this was a misdiagnosis and she was only asleep. Even the term He uses can refer to someone who had died but He was prophesying that although this girl was dead, she would live!

The last thing we need for a miracle of life to take place in our life is an atmosphere of grief and loss and despair. Matthew summarizes this. He is not concerned with the details. In Matthew 9:25-26 (NLT) he says "After the crowd was put outside, however, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up! The report of this miracle swept through the entire countryside." Two sentences!

All the turmoil and noise that issues from grief and loss are cast from the house and in the quietness that ensues Jesus comes. The traffic noise is gone and an atmosphere of worship pervades the house. He simply takes her by the hand and she stands.

It wasn’t the faith of this little girl that moved Jesus to come. It was the faith of a father in desperation, crying out to Jesus. Nothing is more powerful than the desperation of a father for his child. There is always a desperate aspect to faith.

Jairus was an important man, well respected in the community and he wielded a great deal of power, but he submitted himself to the authority of Jesus. Can we imagine a religious leader coming to Jesus for help normally?

When Jairus came and worshiped, Jesus was silent. He simply got up and went to his house. He is always like that with us when we worship and desperately cry to Him for help. He simply comes to the place of our hurt.

This is the story of Jarius, a ruler of the synagogue. Jarius' daughter was sick and had just died. He comes to Jesus and asks Him to bring his daughter back to life. We can learn many things from this story.

The first thing that we need to notice is that Jarius is a ruler of the synagogue. He was in a high position. It took a lot of courage for him to come to Jesus. The Jews would probably kick him out of his position for doing this. He needed to make a choice here. He needed to decide whether his position was more important than his daughter's life. There are going to be times in our lives where God calls us to make tough decisions. We are going to have to denounce our own ways and beliefs. He wants us to go to Him and call out to Him for help just as Jarius did.

The next thing that we need to notice is that Jarius knelt down in front of Jesus. Jarius was not used to kneeling down to others. Others knelt down to him. In essence he was saying to Jesus, "I am your servant, you are the King". This had to have been very difficult for Jarius. He had to be going through many emotions at this time. The biggest emotion of course was sorrow. He must have felt hopeless too. He does not know what else to do but to take a chance that Jesus could bring his daughter back to life. What can we learn from this? We need to call out to Jesus right away. We cannot let pride or position come in the way of calling out to Him. We cannot think that we know best. It is obvious that this did not do Jarius any good. The only thing that waiting did for Jarius was that it made him feels guilty. He waited too long and his daughter died because of it. This is a wonderful example of God's grace in action. He came to remove our guilt and shame. He would also bring new life out of this situation. This is an example of what He has done for all of us. He has given us new life.

We need to notice that Jarius tells Jesus to come and lay His hand on his daughter and that she would live. Jarius has made a decision at this point. He is willing to even go as far as to have Jesus come to his home. He does not care what the Pharisees will say to him about this. His daughter needs saving. Jesus went with Jarius. Jesus could have told Jarius to be on his way. He could have told him that his daughter would come back to life. He could have told him to just go home and that he would find his daughter alive. Jesus went with him for a reason. People would see Jarius with Jesus. He would have to be accountable for his decision. People would question him about it. God does not want us to hide our relationship with Him. He wants us to be willing to show that we believe in Him.

God does not want us to walk on the fence as to whether or not we are going to follow Him. He wants us to make a decision. Jarius was pushed into making a decision. He could no longer stay on the sideline and watch from a distance. He had to act. Whether we believe it or not, it is God's grace that pushes us into these situations. He wants us to be with Him. He wants to bring new life to us. Are you walking on the fence right now and not making a total decision as to whether or not you are going to follow Jesus?

Doctrinal points:

The touch of faith brings salvation.

The touch of God brings new life.

Practical application:

Expect interruptions when you’re serving the Lord.

Questions:

The fact that these two miracles are recorded together is significant. What is the teaching of these miracles? The miracles together depict God’s program for blessing both Israel and the Church. The synagogue official’s daughter pictures Israel, which is spiritually dead. The Lord is on His way to heal the nation. Meanwhile people are coming to Christ for healing from sin today. People who come to Christ during the present time are part of the Church.

What was the woman trying to touch on the hem of the Lord’s garment? As a Jewish man, our Lord probably had blue tassels on the hem of His garment.

Did Jesus’ tassels contain a mystical power? No, the significance was not in the actual tassels, but in her faith. She reached out in faith, believing she would be healed by touching the Lord.

Why did Jesus say the girl was only sleeping, when everyone else thought she was dead? He was showing that He intended to raise her to life again. Death for a believer is only a temporary state, like sleep.

Discuss / Consider:

Discuss, “The touch of faith brings salvation.” The woman reached out in faith to touch the only One who could make her well. It is the focus of faith that matters. Saving faith is not focused in a church or creed, but in the person of Jesus Christ. Refer to Ephesians 2:8-9. If we reach out in faith to the Lord, He will forgive us, because He died on the cross for our sins.

Discuss, “The touch of God brings new life.” One day the Lord will touch the nation of Israel and bring her to life again. He has not abandoned His plan for His chosen people. Look at Romans 11. God has a future plan for the nation of Israel. Thank the Lord now that He does not revoke His promises. Meanwhile, in this parenthesis in time, God has extended His plan of salvation to include Gentiles who are coming to Him today. Praise the Lord that He has extended His promise to include you.

Challenge:

Follow the model of our Lord the next time you are interrupted in your Christian service. Look at the interruption as a possible new window for service.

Memorize:

“Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” Mathew 9:22

“He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose.” Mathew 9:25

New International Version (©2011): While He was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before Him and said, "My daughter has just died. But come and put Your hand on her, and she will live."

New Living Translation (©2007): As Jesus was saying this, the leader of a synagogue came and knelt before Him. "My daughter has just died," he said, "but You can bring her back to life again if You just come and lay your hand on her."

English Standard Version (©2001): While He was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live.”

New American Standard Bible (©1995): While He was saying these things to them, a synagogue official came and bowed down before Him, and said, "My daughter has just died; but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live."

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.): While He spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped Him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay Thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009): As He was telling them these things, suddenly one of the leaders came and knelt down before Him, saying, "My daughter is near death, but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live."

International Standard Version (©2012): While Jesus was telling them these things, an official came up and fell down before Him. "My daughter has just died," he said. "But come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live."

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010): But as He was speaking these things with them, a certain ruler approached, bowing to Him, and He said, “My daughter is dying even now, but come, lay Your hand on her, and she will live.”

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995): A [synagogue] leader came to Jesus while He was talking to John's disciples. He bowed down in front of Jesus and said, "My daughter just died. Come, lay Your hand on her, and she will live."

King James 2000 Bible (©2003): While He spoke these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshiped Him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay Your hand upon her, and she shall live.

American King James Version: While He spoke these things to them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped Him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay Your hand on her, and she shall live.

American Standard Version: While He spake these things unto them, behold, there came a ruler, and worshipped Him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay Thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

Douay-Rheims Bible: As He was speaking these things unto them, behold a certain ruler came up, and adored Him, saying: Lord, my daughter is even now dead; but come, lay Thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

Darby Bible Translation: As He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler coming in did homage to Him, saying, My daughter has by this died; but come and lay Thy hand upon her and she shall live.

English Revised Version: While He spake these things unto them, behold, there came a ruler, and worshipped Him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay Thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

Webster's Bible Translation: While He was speaking these things to them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshiped Him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay Thy hand upon her, and she will live.

Weymouth New Testament: While He was thus speaking, a Ruler came up and profoundly bowing said, "My daughter is just dead; but come and put Your hand upon her and she will return to life."

World English Bible: While He told these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live."

Young's Literal Translation: While He is speaking these things to them, lo, a ruler having come, was bowing to Him, saying that 'My daughter just now died, but, having come, lay Thy hand upon her, and she shall live.'

Barnes' Notes on the Bible: The account contained in these verses is also recorded, with some additional circumstances, in Mark 5:22-43, and Luke 8:41-56.

Matthew 9:18

There came a certain ruler - Mark and Luke say that his name was Jairus, and that he was a "ruler of the synagogue;" that is, one of the elders to whom was committed the care of the synagogue.

See the notes at Matthew 4:23.

And worshipped Him - That is, fell down before Him, or expressed his respect for Him by a token of profound regard. See the notes at Matthew 2:2.

My daughter is even now dead - Luke says that this was his only daughter, and that she was twelve years of age. Mark and Luke say that she was "at the point of death," and that information of her actual death was brought to him by one who was sent by the ruler of the synagogue, while Jesus was going. Matthew combined the two facts, and stated the representation which was made to Jesus, without stopping particularly to exhibit the manner in which it was done. In a summary way he says that the ruler communicated the information. Luke and Mark, dwelling more particularly on the circumstances, state at length the way in which it was done; that is, by himself stating, in a hurry, that she was "about to die," or "was dying," and then in a few moments sending word that "she was dead." The Greek word, rendered "is even now dead," does not of necessity mean, as our translation would express, that she had actually expired, but only that she was "dying" or about to die. Compare Genesis 48:21. It is likely that a father, in these circumstances, would use a word as nearly expressing actual death as would be consistent with the fact that she was alive. The passage may be expressed thus: "My daughter was so sick that she must be by this time dead."

Come and lay thy hand upon her - It was customary for the Jewish prophets, in conferring favors, to lay their hand on the person benefited. Jesus had probably done so also, and the ruler had probably witnessed the fact.

Clarke's Commentary on the Bible:

A certain ruler - There were two officers in the synagogue, חזן הכנסת chazan ha-ceneseth, the bishop or overseer of the congregation; and ראש הכנסת rosh ha-ceneseth, the head or ruler of the congregation. The chazan takes the book of the Law, and gives it to the rosh, or ruler; and he appoints who shall read the different sections, etc. Jairus, who is the person intended here, was, in this latter sense, the ruler or governor of one of the synagogues, probably at Capernaum. See Mark 5:22; Luke 8:41.

My daughter is even now dead - Or, my daughter was just now dying; αρτι ετελευτησεν, or, is by this time dead: i.e. as Mr. Wakefield properly observes, She was so ill when I left home that she must be dead by this time. This turn of the expression reconciles the account given here with that in Mark and Luke. Michaelis conjectures that, in the Hebrew original, the words must have stood thus, עתה מתה atah matah, which, without the points, may signify either, She is dead, or She is dying.

To be successful in our applications to God by prayer, four things are requisite; and this ruler teaches us what they are.

First, A man should place himself in the presence of God - he came unto Him.

Secondly, He should humble himself sincerely before God - he fell down before Him - at His feet. Mark 5:22.

Thirdly, He should lay open his wants with a holy earnestness - he besought Him greatly. Mark 5:23.

Fourthly, he should have unbounded confidence in the power and goodness of Christ that his request shall be granted - put Thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

He who comes in this way to God, for salvation, is sure to be heard. Imposition of hands was a rite anciently used by the servants of God, through which heavenly influences were conveyed to the bodies and souls of men. This rite is still used in certain Churches; but, as there is no Holy Ghost communicated by it, some suppose it may be as well omitted. But why is this? Is it not because there is an unfaithfulness in the person who lays on hands, or an unfitness in him on whom they are laid? Let the rite be restored to its primitive simplicity, and God will own it as he formerly did. But, however this may be, where is the man or number of men who have authority to abrogate a rite of God's own appointment? In the appointment of men to the sacred ministry it should never be omitted: even in these degenerate days, it may still serve as a sign of the necessity of the gifts and graces of that Holy Spirit without which no man can fulfill the work of the ministry, or be the instrument of saving the souls of them that hear him. When the inventions of men are put in the place of the ordinances of God, the true Church of Christ is in great danger.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible:

While He spake these things unto them,.... To the Scribes and Pharisees, and to John's disciples, concerning, and in vindication of His, and His disciples, eating and drinking with publicans and sinners, and their not fasting as others did; and while He spake these parables, to expose the folly of self-righteous persons, and justify His own conduct, in calling sinners to repentance,

Behold, there came a certain ruler and worshipped Him. This man, as both Mark and Luke say, was named Jairus; and was a ruler, not of the Sanhedrim, or lesser consistory, but of the synagogue that was at Capernaum; and whom the Jews call, , "the head of the synagogue". Mark says, he was "one of the rulers": not that there were more rulers than one, in one synagogue (q): but as in great cities, so it is likely in Capernaum there were more synagogues than one, of which he was one of the rulers: so we read of (r), "heads", or "rulers of synagogues". As this is one mistake, so it is another to say, that Dr. Lightfoot speaks of this ruler, as the same with the "minister" of the congregation; when both here, and in the place referred to, he manifestly distinguishes them; as do the Jews: for, by this ruler, as their commentators (s) say,

"The necessary affairs of the synagogue were determined, as who should dismiss with a prophet, who should divide the "shema", and who should go before the ark.''

Whereas the business of, "the minister of the synagogue", was to bring in and out the ark, or chest, in which was the book of the law; and particularly, when the high priest read, or pronounced the blessings, "he" took the book, and gave it to "the ruler of the synagogue"; and the ruler of the synagogue gave it to the "sagan", and the "sagan" to the high priest (t). The doctor makes indeed, "the messenger of the congregation", to be the same with "the minister of the synagogue", and which is his mistake; for these were two different officers (u): the former was the lecturer, or preacher; and the latter, a sort of a sexton to keep the synagogue clean, open and shut the doors, and do other things before mentioned. This Jairus was a man of great power and significance; who in such a very humble manner prostrated himself at the feet of Jesus, and expressed such strong faith in Him:

Saying, my daughter is even now dead, but come and lay Thine hand upon her, and she shall live. Luke says, she was "his only daughter": and Mark calls her his "little daughter": though both he and Luke say, she was about "twelve" years of age, and that with strict propriety, according to the Jewish canons, which (w) say; that

"a daughter, from the day of her birth until she is twelve years complete, is called "a little one" and when she is twelve years of age, and one day and upwards, she is called "a young woman".''

Her case seems to be differently represented; Mark says, she was "at the point of death", or "in the last extremity"; and Luke, that she "lay dying": but Matthew here says, that she was "even now dead", which may be easily reconciled: for not to observe, that signifies "near", and the phrase may be rendered, "she is near dead", or just expiring, the case was this; when Jairus left his house, his daughter was in the agony of death, just ready to give up the ghost; so, that he concluded, by the time he was with Jesus, she had made her exit; as it appears she had, by a messenger, who brought the account of her death, before they could get to the house. The ruler's address to Christ on this occasion, is a very considerable, though not so great an instance of faith as some others; that he, who was a ruler of a synagogue, should apply to Christ, which sort of men were generally most averse to him; that he should fall down and worship Him, if not as God, since as yet he might be ignorant of His deity, yet behaved with the profoundest respect to Him, as a great man, and a prophet; that he should come to Him when his child was past all hope of recovery; yea, when he had reason to believe she was actually dead, as she was; that even then, he should believe in hope against hope; he affirms, that he really believed, that if Christ would but come to his house, and lay His hand upon her, an action often used in grave and serious matters, as in blessing persons, in prayer, and in healing diseases, she would certainly be restored to life again.

(q) Vid. Rhenfurd. de decem otiosis dissert. 2. c. 7. (r) T. Bab. Gittin, fol. 60. 1.((s) Jarchi & Bartenora in Misn. Yoma, c. 7. sect. 1. & Sota, c. 7. sect. 7. (t) Misn. Sota, c. 7. sect. 7. & Bartenora in ib. (u) Vid. Rhenfurd, dissert. 1. p. 81, etc. (w) Maimon. Hilchot lshot, c. 2. sect. 1. & Bartenora in Misn. Nidda, c. 5. sect. 6.

Vincent's Word Studies:

Is even now dead (ἄρτι ἐτελεύτησεν)

The literal force of the aorist tense is more graphic. Just now died.

Geneva Study Bible:

{4} While He spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped Him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay Thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

(4) There is no evil so old, and incurable, which Christ cannot heal by and by, if He is touched with true faith, but lightly as it were with the hand.

People's New Testament:

9:18,19 There came a certain ruler. One of the rulers of the synagogue (probably of the synagogue of Capernaum). One of the elders and presiding officers, who convened the assembly, preserved order, invited readers and speakers. His name was Jairus (Mr 5:22 Lu 8:41). Matthew, Mark, and Luke all give this account. From them we learn that the maiden was twelve years old, was dying when the ruler started, was dead when he spoke to Jesus. Compare Mt 9:18-26 Mr 5:22-43 Lu 8:41-56.

Wesley's Notes:

9:18 Just dead - He had left her at the point of death, Mark 5:23. Probably a messenger had now informed him she was dead. Mark 5:22; Luke 8:41.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary:

Mt 9:18-26. The Woman with the Issue of Blood Healed.-The Daughter of Jairus Raised to Life. (= Lu 8:40-56; Mr 5:21-43).

For the exposition, see on [1244]Mr 5:21-43.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

9:18-26 The death of our relations should drive us to Christ, who is our life. And it is high honor to the greatest rulers to attend on the Lord Jesus; and those who would receive mercy from Christ, must honor Him. The variety of methods Christ took in working His miracles, perhaps was because of the different frames and tempers of mind, which those were in who came to Him, and which He who searches the heart perfectly knew. A poor woman applied herself to Christ, and received mercy from Him by the way. If we do but touch, as it were, the hem of Christ's garment by living faith, our worst evils will be healed; there is no other real cure, nor need we fear his knowing things which are a grief and burden to us, but which we would not tell to any earthly friend. When Christ entered the ruler's house, he said, Give place. Sometimes, when the sorrow of the world prevails, it is difficult for Christ and His comforts to enter. The ruler's daughter was really dead, but not so to Christ. The death of the righteous is in a special manner to be looked on as only a sleep. The words and works of Christ may not at first be understood, yet they are not therefore to be despised. The people were put forth. Scorners who laugh at what they do not understand, are not proper witnesses of the wonderful works of Christ. Dead souls are not raised to spiritual life, unless Christ takes them by the hand: it is done in the day of His power. If this single instance of Christ's raising one newly dead so increased His fame, what will be His glory when all that are in their graves shall hear His voice, and come forth; those that have done good to the resurrection of life, and those that have done evil to the resurrection of damnation!

Commentaries:

She knew the power of God through His Son Jesus, and she also knew her faith in God would give her the power of being healed. If you know that you are truly a believer of God's word and have faith in Him, you too can experience the miracle of His power.

This woman had heard and seen Jesus work so many miracles. Seeing and hearing made her more confident in believing that Jesus the Son of God would heal her only if she touches his garment. Her faith in Jesus was immense that healed her by just touching his garment.

She was desperate for no one could help her. Jesus was her last resort. She had heard about Jesus and his works. Jesus was her last hope and she believed that He could heal her because of what He had done for others even if she could only touch His clothes , she will be healed. Her faith was that great because she believe in Him and his power(his works)

She was devout in her faith and the belief of the prophecies and perhaps touched by JESUS and knew in her heart that he was more than just a man. He was of GOD and because of that belief she was cured.

In order to receive faith like the woman I suppose the best way to achieve it is to pray and ask the GOD to send his holy spirit upon us providing us with child-like faith so necessary in helping us to overcome the everyday trials of life.

The woman had absolute faith in Jesus in her heart. I pray for continued strengthening in faith everyday and believe and live the Word of God to obtain faith like this woman.

The faith was powerful because of numerous works that Jesus Christ has done.

Praying and believing that all will be accomplished

"God wants your faith to be pure and strong like a diamond, not weak like graphite. Pure faith is strong faith!

The woman's faith was so powerful because she truly believed without a doubt. I think that if we also follow Jesus' teachings, read the bible and believe without a doubt, we can obtain the powerful faith the woman had.

Because she believed in Jesus without doubt. Just believe in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that he can do anything.

I'm not really sure how she came to have strong faith. Possibly desperation like most of us, but we come to have strong faith by first believing that Jesus is who he says he is. by being obedient to his word and trusting in it. through prayer and having a personal relationship with God. We must have faith like that of a child Jesus has told us and that is believing without doubt that we are saved. Amen!

She tried all doctors, physicians, etc for treatment but her disease could not be cured. Jesus healed her and made her live by just touching her. We also have so many experiences of such incidents but when we go to temples or churches we get sigh of relief and when we pray to God sincerely, our worries, troubles, diseases are automatically removed.

For she had used up her saving to see doctors for her sickness and was not cured. She heard about Jesus' healing and what had she to lose so she made up her mind to touch the LORD's tassels and got well.

Read all of Hebrews 11. She already heard so many healings though she did not see but by believing in what heard, she knew it is true.

She believed in Jesus. To obtain faith, we also must believe, study the word, pray

She believed and from her faith in Jesus she was healed. Her faith was so strong that he didn't need to touch her she only touched something of his for her healing.

She knew, undoubtedly that if she touched Jesus hem that she would be healed, even though no other physician could do it. THROUGH CHRIST ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

The woman's faith was so powerful because she believed Jesus was who He said He was and believed in Him. We need to continue our complete faith in Him and His words. Blessings.

SHE TOUCHES HER CLOTHS WITH THE BELIVE THAT SHE WOULD BE HEALD. GIVE YOUR WHOLE LIFE AND BELIVE OVER TO JESUS AND YOU ARE ON THE SAME WAY THEN THIS WOMAN.

The Woman absolutely believed Jesus would heal her, without asking. I believe the Holy Spirit had main known to her, that he was all God and all Man, his healing power beyond his human awareness. That God/Jesus, know our need's without being told. As David sang in his Psalm, "God you know my heart better than I do", He knows our every need, but He is glorified in our petitions.

In our faith we should also know absolutely that God will provide, according to His will, even when we are unable to pray. That we should glorify Him by making requests in our prayers, and for prayers answered, but know that he is aware of our every need.

Her faith was made so powerful because She believes that JESUS CHRIST is the true Messiah and that HE has the power that can set her free from her sickness. One can also obtain such faith only through believing that JESUS CHRIST is The lord and HE can do all things if we believe. Faith comes through hearing and believing the word of GOD. Above all, put it into practice, that is work, for faith without work is dead. The woman believed that JESUS can set her free, Her faith was made strong because she believed and Her faith and belief produced her desired expectation because she put her own effort into action. Just like the ruler He went to JESUS as His own part of assignment.

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the words of God. She had been seeing so many doctors spending all her live saving on healing still in vain but she heard about Jesus' power so she touched Him and got healed.

The woman's faith in Jesus was made so powerful because she knew Him as Lord in His completeness that even His garments could change her situation, we can obtain faith like the woman by understanding that Jesus is our savior and nothing is impossible with Him.

THE WOMAN HAD TRIED ALL OTHER WAYS TO GET WELL IN VAIN.SHE HAD STRONG FAITH IN JESUS BECAUSE SHE BELIEVED IN HIM AND AGAIN SHE MUST HAVE KNOWN THAT JESUS WAS ON THE WAY TO HELP THE RULER,SO IF HE CAN DO SO FOR THE RULER WHY NOT HER,BUT THERE WAS NO EASY WAY TO GET TO HIM,SO HER FAITH MADE HER GAIN COURAGE AND SHE GOT HER MIRACLE.WE SHOULD BELIEVE IN JESUS AND BELIEVE THAT WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR OTHERS HE CAN DO THE SAME FOR US. THE WOMAN HAD TRIED ALL OTHER WAYS TO GET WELL IN VAIN.SHE HAD STRONG FAITH IN JESUS BECAUSE SHE BELIEVED IN HIM AND AGAIN SHE MUST HAVE KNOWN THAT JESUS WAS ON THE WAY TO HELP THE RULER,SO IF HE CAN DO SO FOR THE RULER WHY NOT HER,BUT THERE WAS NO EASY WAY TO GET TO HIM,SO HER FAITH MADE HER GAIN COURAGE AND SHE GOT HER MIRACLE.WE SHOULD BELIEVE IN JESUS AND BELIEVE THAT WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR OTHERS HE CAN DO THE SAME FOR US.

Your mouth is powerful to your witness, but your mouth is driven by what you think and believe. Do not be deceived! Know what God says, not what man says. Know the difference. She saw Jesus with her heart not with her eyes.

The woman knew without a doubt that Jesus was the Son of God and she fully believed and trusted in Him and I think that' how we obtain faith like that - through trust. Peace be with you.

By: Gregorio Magdaleno
Category: A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman

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