And Jesus arose , Matthew only. From the table, if Matthew's connexion is to be followed; from his seat by the seashore, if Mark's. And followed him . As he led the way to his house. The tense ( ἠκολούθει ) shows that our Lord had already started when the next incident took place. And so did his disciples . Mark substitutes "a great multitude," and adds that "they thronged him" (cf. also Luke). read more
( And, behold,… that hour ). The Revised Version and the ordinary editions of the Authorized Version omit the brackets, as unnecessary. And, behold, a woman which was diseased with ( who had , Revised Version) an issue of blood ( αἱμοῤῥοοῦσα ). Physically and (Le Matthew 15:25 ) ceremonially unclean. Twelve years . The age of Jairus' daughter as recorded in the parallel passages. The coincidence led to its being remembered, and the number itself was the more noticeable as... read more
The healing touch. This little incident inserted in the middle of the story of the ruler's child, because the event occurred on the road to the man's house, reveals Jesus as the Friend of the obscure, the miserable, the lonely. On the way to help the little daughter of a great house, Jesus is arrested and deeply interested with the faith and cure of a poor and helpless woman. I. THE WOMAN 'S FAITH . 1 . It is modest. She trembles at the idea of becoming conspicuous. In her... read more
The easy overflowing of the grace of Christ when in contact with faith. In introduction, point out that the form of the approach of this woman, her own idea of doing nothing beyond touching the hem of a person's garment, and her fright when she had been discovered as doing even that , were presumably due just to the fact that her disease was one that rendered her ceremonially unclean, and which forbade her to touch another person. She thought she saw her way possibly out of this by... read more
For she said within herself, If I may ; do (Revised Version). There is no thought of permission ( ἐὰν μόνον ἅψωμαι ). But touch his garment, I shall be whole; saved . The threefold σώζειν is suggestive. Observe that she is "saved" in spite of her superstition; God " pitieth the blind that would gladly see " (Hooker, 'Serm.,' 2. § 38). read more
Faith marred by superstition. "If I may but touch his garment, I shall he whole." "The woman's touch was an ignorant and superstitious appeal to the mercifulness of Christ." As viewed By Christ, the faith shown in the touch was of much greater importance than the superstition which connected blessing with the touch. Our Lord could easily look over the superstition, and accept the faith. "She did not think of a will that seeks to bless and save, but of a physical effluence passing... read more
But Jesus turned him about . The order of the words shows that the thought centres, not on the action, but on the Person. It marks the transition of the narrative from the woman to Christ. Further, "to understand the greatness of Jesus' love, consider how a Pharisee might have treated one ceremonially so unclean'' (Kubel). And when he saw her . The parallel passages show that this was after his inquiry who it was, etc. He said, Daughter, be of good comfort ; good cheer (Revised... read more
And . During the incident of the healing of the woman news had come (parallel passages) to the ruler that his daughter was actually dead, and that it was useless to trouble the Teacher any more. But man's extremity is ever Christ's opportunity . When Jesus came into the ruler's house. Accompanied by only Peter, James, and John (parallel passages), and the parents (Luke). And saw . Apparently from outside the room (of. verse 25). The minstrels ; flute-players (Revised Version); τοὺς... read more
He said unto them, Give place ; withdraw ( ἀναχωρεῖτε ). This is no room for mourners (cf. Acts 9:40 ). For the maid ; damsel (Revised Version). to assimilate this and Matthew 9:25 to the other passages where κοράσιον is found. Is not dead, but sleepeth. Our Lord looks forward to the result of his coming. So also probably Acts 20:10 . To take our Lord's words here as a literal statement of a present fact, meaning that she was only in a trance, is to contradict the... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:18-34
4. THE COMPLETENESS OF HIS HEALING POWER . (Cf. Matthew 8:1 , note.) (a) sight ( Matthew 9:27-31 ); (b) speech, though, in this case, the dumbness was the work of an evil spirit ( Matthew 9:32-34 ). Observe also in this section the reference to the effect of his work upon outsiders. read more