Matthew 9:21-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:18-26

The ruler's daughter. I. THE APPEAL . 1 . The applicator. A ruler. Rulers were slow to believe in Christ. But some from almost every class were found among his disciples. Distress breaks down pride and shatters prejudices. They who would never seek Christ in prosperity may be found crying out for his help in trouble. 2 . The object. The ruler asks for his child a favour which possibly he would have been too proud to have sought for himself. Suffering children touch the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:18-26

The advance of faith upon sense. In introduction, point out this narrative as a typical instance of the advantage of comparing the different accounts of the three evangelists. Note in this case the very graphic rehearsal of St. Mark, and how still St. Luke has to add to it. Also point out the fine corroborating, not invalidating, witness to truth offered by the variation of St. Matthew's "even now dead," St. Mark's "on the point of death," and St. Luke's "lay a-dying." Notice— I. WHAT ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:18-26

Concessions to faith. While Jesus discoursed upon consistency in diversity, and the concessions of love, an occasion arose for the exemplification of his teaching. "While he yet spake," etc. Note here the gracious concessions of Jesus to the weakness of the ruler's faith, and. learn— I. THAT JESUS RESPECTS THE FAITH WHICH , THOUGH WEAK , IS YET TRUE . 1 . The ruler ' s faith was halting. 2 . Yet the ruler ' s faith was true. 3 . Jesus respected... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:20-22

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:20-22

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:21

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:21

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:22

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 9:18-26

The account contained in these verses is also recorded, with some additional circumstances, in Mark 5:22-43, and Luke 8:41-56.Matthew 9:18There 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... read more

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