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Christian Study For God's Children

Healing The Daughter Of Jairus- Matthew 9, Mark 5, Luke 8

Raising Jairus’ Daughter Back To Life – Miracle Of Jesus

Healing the daughter of Jairus. "Do not fear, only believe!" Mark 5:36

As Ruler of the Synagogue, he took everything about Judaism seriously. But when his child, just 12 years old, became ill and near death, he was desperate for a solution, even an unconventional one. The only thing that mattered was healing the daughter of Jairus.

He frantically searched Capernaum for Jesus, a local Teacher that people reported was healing the sick and casting out demons. This was troubling for a man like Jairus, but not nearly as bad as losing his only daughter.

He found Jesus and said, “My daughter is near death. Come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed, and live.” Jesus immediately followed him.

Healing The Daughter Of Jairus – He Fell At Jesus’ Feet

Being the Ruler of a Synagogue came with many responsibilities and quite a bit of prestige. It should be noted that all three Gospel writers mentioned him by name, meaning he was well known in the area. Within greater Israel, among the religious hierarchy, he was likely known as well. So any actions that were contrary to Jewish Law, or their traditions, might put Jairus under scrutiny by the religious Jews in Capernaum, and likely the religious leaders in Jerusalem.

None of that mattered to Jairus that day. His daughter was sick, approaching death. He had likely exhausted all medical and religious options for her. He was desperate for a solution, even willing to approach an itinerate teacher that was being watched by the authorities.

Jairus found Jesus and fell at His feet. This was significant, because normally this kind of respect would be reserved for Jairus, not Jesus. But Jairus was ready to go all in for his daughter. He was driven by a profound love for her, and hanging on to the last bit of hope he had, Jesus. And his choice of Jesus was a wise one.

Kneeling at Jesus’ feet, Jairus looked up and said, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, so that she may be healed and live.” Jairus spoke from his heart, releasing his faith and declaring what would happen. If Jesus would lay His hands on his daughter, she would be healed and live. Nothing else needed to be said. In spite of the crowd surrounding them, Jesus immediately followed Jairus.

22 Then one of the rulers of the synagogue came up, Jairus by name; and seeing Him, he prostrated himself at His feet
23 And begged Him earnestly, saying, My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, so that she may be healed and live.

Mark 5:22-23 AMP

Healing the daughter if Jairus. "Come, lay your hands on my daughter and she will live." Mark 5:21-43

The Delay – Who Touched Me?

In the midst of the crowd a woman pushed her way through and grabbed the hem of Jesus’ garment, saying, “If I can just touch his garment, I shall be whole!” Immediately power flowed from Jesus through the woman. She could feel the difference in her body that very moment. She withdrew as quickly as she had pressed in. But then she heard Jesus’ question. “Who touched me?” Jesus recognized that power had been released. This would be no secret miracle. He wanted everyone to know what had just happened. The woman came forward and kneeled in front of Jesus. She told him of the 12 years of suffering, physically, financially, and mentally. Jesus took her by the hand and lifted her up. Jesus said, “Daughter, your faith has made you whole!” And with those few words she was restored, no longer an outcast, but a child of God, made whole in every way.

Standing nearby, Jairus had a front row seat to all of this. If he knew this woman, he could have declared her unclean and chased her out of Capernaum – or something far worse. He could have been frustrated by the delay, grown inpatient and spoken negatively about Jesus ministering to this woman. Or even believed that Jesus was now unclean, since He touched the woman. But as Jesus testified, she was made whole. There was no offense. Remarkably, Jairus did none of these things. He stayed quiet, watching and listening. His faith was likely strengthened by seeing such a terrible and lengthy case, so easily cured by the touch of Jesus.

Your Daughter Is Dead. Why Trouble The Master?

As Jesus finished ministering to the woman with an issue of blood, messengers arrived and told Jairus, “Your daughter has died. Why bother and distress the Teacher any further?” Jairus stood motionless. Jesus had heard everything and looked intently into the eyes of Jairus. Once he had his complete attention, Jesus said, “Do not be afraid. Only believe!”

This was a difficult command, but vital for Jairus to receive his miracle. He had established that Jesus would lay his hands on his daughter and she would live. There was nothing in his request about her being alive or dead. And he had an additional Word from Jesus and a command to not be afraid. Fear is the opposite of faith. It gives the enemy an opportunity to steal the Word sown, or make it ineffective. (Parable of the Sower) Both Jairus and Jesus spoke faith. But the enemy comes immediately to steal the Word, and if he can’t steal it, he will throw trouble and persecution at you to undermine the Word. And if that doesn’t work, he overwhelms you with the worries of life until you forget the Word. The news of his daughter’s death was just that, satan trying to steal Jairus’ miracle. But Jairus kept quiet. And they continued to his home.

Healing the daughter of Jairus. Trouble the Master no more, your daughter is dead. Mark 5:21-43

35 While He was still speaking, there came some from the ruler’s house, who said [to Jairus], Your daughter has died. Why bother and distress the Teacher any further?
36 Overhearing but ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear; only keep on believing.

Mark 5:35-36 AMP

She Is Not Dead, But Asleep

When they arrived at the house it was surrounded by mourners. Even inside, there were professional mourners lamenting the loss of the little girl. Jesus entered the home with James, John, and Peter. Hearing the tumult, Jesus asked, “Why do you make such noise. The girl is not dead, but asleep?” The mourners laughed at Jesus and mocked Him for thinking the girl was not dead. He commanded that everyone be removed from the house except for the girl’s parents, and his three apostles, who made sure everyone was put out of the house. He was about to do a marvelous miracle and did not want there to be any unbelief in the home. This was the reason for not calling the girl dead. From Jesus’ perspective, this was not a lie. He was simply going to wake her up.

Jesus stood next to the girl’s bed, who was 12 years old. He took her by the hand and said, “Little girl, arise.” The girl opened her eyes and climbed out of her bed. Jesus instructed her parents to feed her, just so there was no doubt she was alive and well – and she was likely quite hungry after that ordeal. Jesus further instructed them not to spread the news. The miracle would speak for itself. There was no need to unnecessarily provoke religious leaders yet. That time would come soon enough.

41 Gripping her [firmly] by the hand, He said to her, Talitha cumi—which translated is, Little girl, I say to you, arise [from the sleep of death]!
42 And instantly the girl got up and started walking around—for she was twelve years old. And they were utterly astonished and overcome with amazement.
43 And He strictly commanded and warned them that no one should know this, and He [expressly] told them to give her [something] to eat.

Mark 5:41-43 AMP

Healing the daughter of Jairus. "Little girl, get up!" Mar 5:21-43

Healing The Daughter Of Jairus, Dead At 12 Years Of Age

Both miracles, Healing The Woman With The Issue Of Blood, and Raising The Daughter of Jairus are uniquely connected, and emphatically stamped with the number 12. The number 12 in Scripture usually indicates perfection in government. It should be noted that the first recorded words of Jesus were when we has 12 years old and had stayed behind at the Temple asking questions of the teachers. When His mother demanded to know where He had been, and why He treated them that way, Jesus responded, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”

Twelve is also the age a young Jewish girl reaches accountability. Just as she is approaching the moment she is free from her father, Jairus’ daughter gets sick and dies. The Woman, after 12 years, had lost all family, rejected from both physical connections and religious. They all are needing healing and restoration in different ways. Jairus represented an additional barrier, as he could have protested the presence of this unclean woman, or taken more drastic action to remove her. Also, during the delay it took for Jesus to minister to the woman, messengers arrived to inform Jairus that his daughter was dead. This news could have undermined his faith. He could have blamed this woman for the delay. Jesus quickly stepped in to keep him from speaking foolishly.

It has been suggested that the woman was a Gentile, and not from Capernaum. This might explain her ability to navigate the crowd without being stopped for being unclean. If this is accurate, it makes for an interesting possibility. Both the woman and the daughter experienced their plight during the same 12 years. Both the woman and Jairus desired healing. In a sense, Jesus was ministering to two daughters. Both needed to be restored to their respective families, and their religious community. It was not the youth of the daughter, or even death that motivated Jesus. It was the faith in Jairus’ heart that pleased God. (Hebrews 11:6) His faith connected with the Anointing on Jesus, accessing the power necessary to restore his daughter. Jesus was simply doing the Father’s business.

Rightly Dividing The Word – Looking For Harmony

When folks find similar stories in the Gospels it is immediately assumed they are identical. When discrepancies emerge, they then claim there is something wrong with the Bible. It is quite possible during His time on Earth Jesus could have cured several women with an issue of Blood, and even raised more than one Synagogue Ruler’s daughter. But these three accounts are so very similar, so intertwined, that it is unlikely in this case. But we can closely examine each account and note what the Holy Spirit considered important for each writer.

Matthew, writing to a Jewish audience about their King, includes just three lines, hardly diverging from the account of Jesus interacting with Jairus. The Woman comes on the scene, is healed, and dismissed before we learn much at all. And note, in male dominated Israel, how little space is allocated to Jairus’ daughter being raised. Mark’s account is far more thorough, giving voice to her thoughts and her exchange with Jesus. Luke falls between the two. He includes enough information to understand the miracle, but not nearly as much background as Mark. But take the three collectively, and you have a pretty thorough account of both miracles from three perspectives.

Parallel Scripture Raising Healing The Daughter Of Jairus

Matthew 9:8-26Mark 5:21-43Luke 8:40-56
21 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.
22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.
18 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.24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.40 And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.
19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,41 And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus’ feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:
20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,42 For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.
21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,
22 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.28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.
23 And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.45 And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?46 And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.
25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.
26 And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.
33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.49 While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.
34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.
35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?51 And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.
36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.52 And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.
37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.53 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.
38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.54 And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.
39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.55 And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.
40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.56 And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.
41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.
42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.
43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.
King James Version (KJV)

Jairus’ Path To Getting His Daughter Raised From Death

Imagine all the barriers that Jairus faced just to get to Jesus. There was a certain amount of religious arrogance prevalent among the Jewish religious leaders. The idea of seeking help from this itinerant Teacher would be foolish, quite possibly considered blasphemy – seeking from man something only God can do – raise the dead. There was already much suspicion about Jesus, and they were just looking for reasons to bring Him down. The Roman authorities were also a threat. They simply wanted to keep the peace, and with every miracle performed by Jesus, his fame grew. It was first among the poor and outcasts, but now it was happening among people with power and influence, like Jairus.

None of these things moved him. Jairus had a sick daughter. And it seemed to him as if time was running out. He needed an answer, and neither his religion or medicine had helped. He was ready to go all in on Jesus. He spoke what was in his heart, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, so that she may be healed and live.” Just a few words, but so powerful. He believed it in his heart and spoke with his mouth. And Jesus heard his faith. Jesus didn’t say a thing. He simply followed Jairus home.

But there were a couple of more hurdles to overcome. Satan came to steal the Word and undermine Jairus’ faith. First, there was the delay with the woman with the issue of blood. Her testimony may have energized Jairus for a moment, but then the hammer came down. He was told his daughter was dead. That would break most people and Jesus knew it. He looked at Jairus and commanded him, “Fear Not! Only Believe!” And with that, they continued to his house. Jesus had not given up, so there was no reason for Jairus to stop.

Next, came the crowd at his house, including paid mourners, wailing, crying, and making a fuss over the little girl. Some tears were genuine, but many were paid for, and that made it all the more distressing. Jesus cleared the house of all unbelief. He kept Peter, James, and John inside, along with Jairus and his wife. Jairus had kept his mouth shut the whole way, remembering what he confessed to Jesus, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, so that she may be healed and live.” As he watched, Jesus did exactly what he had confessed. He placed his hands on the girl and she was healed and restored. Oh what joy must have been experienced in that house that day. They knew what death was, and realized that they had witnessed a great miracle. Certainly Jairus’ view of Jesus was forever changed. But Jesus warned them, keep this within the family. It was not quite time to stir up the Jewish leadership with this news. Instead, the family celebrated the healing of their daughter, and praised God for His love.

Read The Story Of Jesus Raising The Daughter of Jairus In Five Popular Translations – AMP, KJV, HCSB, NIV, The Message

Healing The Daughter of Jairus Matthew 9:18-26Mark 5:21-43Luke 8:41-56

Check out all the wonderful Christian content linked below and learn more about this miracle.

Children’s Bible Stories – Scriptures and Adaptations on Healing The Daughter of Jairus

The Girl Who Lived Twice – A short PDF slide show of the miracle

Jesus Is Trustworthy – Short paraphrase

The Hem of Jesus’ Garment – A very brief version based on Mark for both this miracle and the woman who touched Jesus

Children’s Activities, Crafts, Coloring Pages, Music & Poetry for the Raising the Daughter of Jairus Miracle

Jairus’ Daughter – Lesson, craft and activity ideas

Jairus & Daughter – Lesson and craft ideas

Jairus’ Daughter – Coloring page

Jairus’ Daughter – Another coloring page

Children’s Sermons & Lessons on the Healing Jairus’ Daughter Miracle

Jesus Heals Jairus’ Daughter – Bible Lesson outline

Jesus Heals Jairus’ Daughter – Bible lesson that includes Jesus healing the bleeding woman

Devotions, Discussions & Sermons and Other Resources About the Raising the Daughter of Jairus Miracle

Jesus Heals the Sick – Additional resources related to Jesus and healing including this miracle.

Jesus Healings – Some resources that might be useful for teaching about Jairus and the bleeding woman

The Raising of Jairus’ Daughter  – Study by Hampton Keathley IV

Why Is the Story of Jairus Interrupted by the Hemorrhaging Woman? – A brief answer to the question

Jesus Heals Jairus’ Daughter – Some observations based on this miracle

Raising of Jairus’ Daughter – Some observations based on this miracle by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson

Jesus Raises Jairus’ Daughter From the Dead – An outline of both miracles from Matthew 9:18-26

Matthew 9:9-26 – Additional resources for adult study

Mark 5:21-43 – Additional resources for adult study

Capernaum– A good summary of Capernaum’s role in Jesus’ ministry

Since these miracles are so closely linked, see also Healing The Woman With The Issue Of Blood

“Fear Not! Only Believe!!” – Jesus

Meme Source Bible Verses To Go

Images: www.LumoProject.com

Search for Other Christian Web Sites.

Suggested Search Terms: Miracles of Jesus, faith, healing, daughter of Jairus, synagogue official, Capernaum, raising the dead, Matthew 9, Mark 5, Luke 8

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