Matthew 9:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples.

NIV: Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.

NASB: Jesus got up from the table and began to accompany him, along with His disciples.

CSB: So Jesus and his disciples got up and followed him.

NLT: So Jesus and his disciples got up and went with him.

KJV: And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.

NKJV: So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples.

In this instance, Jesus does not hesitate to respond to a request for physical healing. His mission on earth included healing God's people and freeing them from demon possession. The purpose of this is to demonstrate truth: Matthew showed previously that these miracles fulfilled prophesy, providing even more evidence that Jesus was the Messiah (Matthew 8:17).

This event likely takes place in Capernaum, Jesus' adopted hometown (Matthew 4:13). This is probably where Jairus served as an authority in the Jewish synagogue. We know from Luke that Jairus's only daughter is about 12 years old (Luke 8:41–42). Jairus kneels before Jesus to ask for help. Matthew quotes him as saying the girl has "just died," while Mark and Luke understand him to have said that she is dying. Most likely, messengers arrived to give the man sad news as he was speaking to Jesus.

Jesus gets up, probably from reclining around the dinner table, and heads toward Jairus's house with His disciples. They will experience at least one brief delay, however.

Matthew 9:18–26 begins with the arrival of a ruler of the synagogue. He tells Jesus that his daughter has just died, but that she will live if Jesus comes and lays His hand on her (Mark 5:21–24). Jesus and the disciples are following the man to his house when a woman in the crowd touches the edge of Jesus' garment. As also indicated in the gospel of Mark, she is immediately healed from a 12-year illness (Mark 5:25–29). Arriving at the home of the man, Jesus sends away the professional mourners. He takes the dead girl's hand, and she is restored to life (Mark 5:35–43).

Matthew 9 continues to show how Jesus authenticated His claims to be the Messiah by powerful miracles of healing and casting out demons. He heals a paralyzed man after telling the man his sins are forgiven. He calls Matthew to follow Him and eats dinner with Matthew and other tax collectors. He answers questions from Pharisees and others. A woman who touches His cloak is healed from a 12–year illness, and Jesus raises a dead girl back to life. He restores sight to blind men and speech to one who is demon oppressed. He is filled with compassion for the crowds.

Matthew 9 follows the same pattern of Matthew 8, showing through miraculous works of healing that Jesus is truly the Messiah. Christ forgives the sins of a paralyzed man and heals him. He calls Matthew to follow Him and eats with tax collectors and sinners. A woman is healed by touching His garment and a dead girl is given life by the touch of His hand. Two blind men see, and Jesus casts out a demon, restoring speech to its victim. Finally, Jesus declares that the harvest is plentiful and tells His followers to pray for workers. Chapter 10 builds on this compassion as Jesus commissions the Twelve to go and deliver His gospel to the people.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.

Accessed 5/7/2024 7:52:32 PM