MPV Commentary

The occasion for this scene will become clear as we proceed.

Jairus' Daughter (Mr 5:21-24)

Jesus had crossed the lake again by ship to the other side, from the Gadarene side where He had parted with the healed demoniac, to the west side at Capernaum. A large crowd had gathered around Him, eager for His teaching and ministry. They had been expecting Him to return after a day of abundant teaching (Mr 4:1, &c., and Mt 13:1-58), and some may have witnessed the sudden calming of the tempest as He arrived.

One of the synagogue rulers, Jairus by name, approached Jesus with great urgency. His daughter was at the point of death, and he begged Jesus to come and lay hands on her so that she might be healed and live (Mt 9:18). This faith would have been remarkable even among those who were not steeped in prejudice.

The Woman with an Issue of Blood Healed (Mr 5:24-34)

As Jesus went with Jairus, a large crowd followed Him, pressing in on all sides. Meanwhile, a woman had heard about Jesus and His miraculous healings. She had suffered greatly from her condition, having spent all she had on various treatments that only made her worse. When she learned of Jesus' presence, she came to Him with the intention of touching His clothes, hoping to be healed.

She reached out and touched the hem of His garment, saying within herself, "If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole." This was a remarkable display of faith, as she knew that touching anyone with her condition would normally defile them. However, she believed that Jesus was different and could heal her.

As soon as she touched Him, the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she immediately felt herself perfectly cured. Jesus, however, was aware that virtue had gone out of Him, and He turned to ask who had touched His clothes. The crowd pressed in on all sides, but only one person had reached out with faith.

The woman, fearing exposure, came forward and fell down before Jesus, telling Him the whole truth about her condition and how she had been healed immediately. Jesus commended her faith, saying, "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague." This was a glorious dismissal from the lips of One who is our Peace.

Jairus' Daughter Raised to Life (Mr 5:35-43)

Meanwhile, Jairus had received news that his daughter was dead. He begged Jesus not to trouble Him further, but Jesus reassured him, saying, "Be not afraid, only believe." Jesus then took Peter, James, and John with Him and came to the house of the synagogue ruler.

When they arrived, they found a great commotion, with people weeping and wailing for the dead girl. Jesus, however, told them that the damsel was not dead but sleeping. They laughed at Him, knowing she was indeed dead. Jesus then put all the mourners out and took only Jairus, his mother, and those who were with him into the room where the girl lay.

He took her by the hand and said, "Talitha cumi," which means "Little girl, get up." And immediately she arose and walked. The people were astonished at this miracle, but Jesus charged them to tell no one about it, so that the public feeling regarding Him would not come too precipitously to a crisis. He then commanded that something be given her to eat in token of perfect restoration.