Matthew 9:18-26
A Touch of Faith
Read the passage
18While Jesus was saying these things, a synagogue leader came and knelt before Him. “My daughter has just died,” he said. “But come and place Your hand on her, and she will live.”
19So Jesus got up and went with him, along with His disciples.
20Suddenly a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak.
21She said to herself, “If only I touch His cloak, I will be healed.”
22Jesus turned and saw her. “Take courage, daughter,” He said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that very hour.
23When Jesus entered the house of the synagogue leader, He saw the flute players and the noisy crowd.
24“Go away,” He told them. “The girl is not dead, but asleep.” And they laughed at Him.
25After the crowd had been put outside, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.
26And the news about this spread throughout that region.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
A ruler comes to Jesus and kneels, saying that his daughter has just died but that Jesus can bring her back to life by laying his hand on her. Jesus and the disciples follow him. On the way, a woman who has had a discharge of blood for twelve years comes behind Jesus and touches the fringe of his garment, believing that she will be made well.
Jesus turns and sees her. He calls her “daughter” and tells her to take heart because her faith has made her well. The woman is not scolded for touching him, and her long suffering is not treated as a source of shame. Jesus restores her with a word that gives dignity as well as healing.
When Jesus arrives at the ruler's house, he sees the flute players and the crowd making a commotion. He says the girl is not dead but sleeping, and the crowd laughs at him. After sending them out, he takes the girl's hand and she rises. News of what happened spreads through the district.
Matthew places two people with very different social positions together: a public ruler and a woman who has lived with illness and ritual exclusion. Both come to Jesus because ordinary resources have not been enough. Their faith is not a technique that controls him. It is a movement toward the one they believe can help.
The father has told Jesus his daughter is dead. Jesus’ description of her as sleeping is followed by an act that reveals His authority: He takes her hand, and she rises. Death does not have the last word when He commands life.
Questions
1 How does Jesus respond to the woman and the grieving ruler?
AnswerHe sees and heals the woman, calling her daughter. He goes with the ruler, takes his dead daughter by the hand, and raises her.
2 Why does Matthew include the woman's twelve years and Jesus' word “daughter”?
AnswerThe woman touches Jesus' garment after twelve years of bleeding, and Jesus calls her “daughter.” At the ruler's house, Jesus takes the girl's hand and she rises. The details make restoration personal rather than abstract.
3 How can we hope for Jesus' help without judging someone's faith by the timing of healing?
AnswerThese people receive healing from Jesus; they do not control Him through a technique. We can ask Him for help without claiming that another person’s continuing illness proves deficient faith.
4 Who needs patient presence rather than a quick explanation?
AnswerThink of someone who has lived with a long illness or a recent loss. Offer patient presence and one practical form of help, while allowing that person's questions and medical decisions to remain their own.
What This Means for Us
Jesus’ compassion reaches both long suffering and fresh grief. His authority reaches death itself. In John 11, He promises that those who believe in Him will live even though they die. That gives Christian hope a foundation stronger than our ability to predict the next medical result.
Pray honestly for someone who is ill or grieving, and stay alongside them without demanding a cheerful response. Seek and support appropriate care. We can mourn a real loss while trusting the Lord who gives life.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You have authority over illness and death. Hear those who suffer and those who grieve. Give us patience to care, freedom to mourn, and hope in the life You promise to those who believe. Amen.