Who is the ruler in this passage and what does he ask Jesus to do?

The ruler is a leader of the synagogue, known from other accounts as Jairus. Even though he has a respected position, he comes to Jesus in deep need and humility. He kneels before Jesus and says that his young daughter is at the point of death, and in Matthew’s telling he speaks as if she is already dead. He asks Jesus to come, lay His hand on her, and bring her back to life. His request shows that he believes Jesus’ touch has real power, even though his faith is still weak and growing.

Why did the woman with the issue of blood touch the hem of Jesus’ garment?

The woman had suffered from a bleeding problem for twelve years and had found no cure. She believed in her heart that if she could just touch the edge of Jesus’ garment, she would be healed. This was her way of reaching out in faith, even though she came from behind and tried to do it secretly. There may have been some fear and confusion mixed into her faith, but she still trusted that healing was found in Jesus, not in herself or in doctors. Jesus accepted that imperfect faith and blessed her.

What does Jesus mean when He says, “Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole”?

When Jesus calls the woman “Daughter,” He speaks kindly and welcomes her, after she had tried to hide. “Be of good comfort” tells her to stop being afraid and troubled. By saying, “thy faith hath made thee whole,” He points to her trust in Him as the way she received healing. The power was His, not hers, but faith was the way she came to Him. Her faith was not perfect, since she trembled and tried to stay hidden, yet Jesus still honors it and makes her well from that very hour.

Why did Jesus say, “The maid is not dead, but sleepeth,” and why did people laugh at Him?

When Jesus said, “The maid is not dead, but sleepeth,” He was looking at death from God’s point of view. To Him, her death was not final, but like sleep that He could wake her from. The mourners and hired musicians knew she was dead, so His words sounded foolish to them and they laughed Him to scorn. They only saw the situation in human terms, as hopeless. Jesus’ words show that earthly death is not the end for Him, and He proves it a moment later when He takes her by the hand and she rises.

What does this passage teach about Jesus’ power over sickness and death?

This passage shows Jesus’ power in two connected ways. First, He heals a woman whose condition had lasted twelve years and could not be cured by normal means. Her health is restored at once by a simple touch of His garment. Then He goes to the ruler’s house and raises a dead girl by taking her hand. Sickness that seems incurable and death itself both give way to His word and presence. Put together, these stories show that Jesus is not limited like other people. He has authority over the worst things we face, including death.

Why were minstrels and people making a noise at the ruler’s house?

In that culture, when someone died, it was common to bring in mourners and flute players to weep and make loud sounds as a sign of grief. That is why Jesus finds minstrels and people making a noise when He arrives at the ruler’s house. Their presence shows that the girl really had died and that the family had already started the usual customs for a funeral. Jesus then tells them to go out, both to quiet the scene and to get rid of unbelief, before He goes in privately, takes the girl by the hand, and raises her up.

How does this passage show that Jesus responds to weak and imperfect faith?

Both Jairus and the woman show faith that is real but not flawless. Jairus thinks Jesus must come and lay His hand on the girl, and he is shaken by news of her death. The woman comes secretly from behind, touches the garment rather than openly asking, and then trembles in fear when she is noticed. Still, Jesus goes with Jairus, encourages him, and raises the girl. He calls the woman “Daughter,” calms her fear, and praises her faith. This helps us see that Jesus does not wait for perfect faith. He receives and strengthens those who come to Him, even with weakness and mixed motives.

How can this story of Jairus’ daughter and the sick woman encourage me today?

This passage can encourage you if you feel worn out, afraid, or out of options. The woman had been sick for twelve years and seemed beyond help, yet one act of faith toward Jesus changed everything. Jairus faced the worst news a parent can hear, but Jesus walked with him into that pain and brought life where there was death. These stories remind you that no situation is too old or too hard for Jesus, and that He listens when you come to Him honestly. Even if your faith feels small, you can still reach out to Him and ask for help.

Matt.9.18

Matthew 9:18

KJV

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.

The Healing Touch of Jesus

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.

And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.

And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:

For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.

But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,

He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.

And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.