Luke 8:40-42

Jairus’ request 8:40-42a (cf. Matthew 9:18-19; Mark 5:21-23)

Jesus returned from the southeast side of the lake to its northwest side where this incident happened. Multitudes welcomed Jesus because He had become popular in that area by working many other miracles. Jairus’ position as a synagogue ruler shows that some influential Jewish leaders had believed on Him. Luke alone wrote that the girl was Jairus’ only (Gr. monogenes, cf. John 3:16) daughter. This detail adds to the pathos of the story. At "about 12" years of age a Jewish girl was on the brink of become a young lady of marriageable age. [Note: Liefeld, p. 916.] She was apparently going to die just as she was about to begin to live as an adult, a further tragedy.