In the raising of Jairus’s daughter, we learn that death should no longer command fear and power over us, because we follow a savior with authority over death.
Review
Matthew chapters 8-9 present a series of miracles which establish the God-given authority of Jesus. The miracles Jesus performed prove his authority and testify to the fact that he is the Messiah.
Matthew 9:18-26 contains healing stories of two woman, the daughter of Jairus and the woman with bleeding. This podcast covers the story of Jairus. The previous podcast covered the story of the bleeding woman.
Passage
18While 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.” 19And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 20And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” 22Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. 23And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26And the report of this went through all that district. – Matthew 9:18-26
- Matthew omits many of the details found in Mark 5:35-43 and Luke 8:40-56.
- Mark tells us the man’s name is Jairus, a synagogue official. He supervised the building and made arrangements for the services. This position was held in high regard and he would have been an important, well-known person in the town.
- Mark records that Jairus approaches Jesus, but their mission is interrupted by the healing of the bleeding woman.
- After the woman is healed, news comes that the girl has died. Jesus leaves the crowd, and taking with him only the father, Peter, James and John, he rushes to Jairus’s house.
- According to the writings of the rabbis, when somebody died even the poorest families must hire 2 flute players and 1 professional wailing woman. Their job was to spread the word that death had won again.
- Jesus challenges their view of death. Jesus proves he has authority even over death.
- The word “slumber” or “sleep” is used to refer to people who have died many times in the Bible (e.g. 1Thessalonians 4:13; John 11:11).
- Compare with Hebrews 2:14-15.
- Death should no longer command fear and power over us, because we follow a savior with authority over death.
Please listen to the podcast for more detail and explanation.
Next: 52 Matthew 9:27-34 2 Blind & Mute
Previous: 50 Matthew 9:18-26 The Bleeding Woman
Series: Gospel of Matthew 8-13 Behold the King, Part 2
Photo by Nighthawk Shoots on Unsplash
Podcast season 20, episode 10