Matthew 9:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him.

NIV: he said, 'Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.' But they laughed at him.

NASB: He said, 'Leave; for the girl has not died, but is asleep.' And they began laughing at Him.

CSB: "Leave," he said, "because the girl is not dead but asleep." And they laughed at him.

NLT: Get out!' he told them. 'The girl isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.' But the crowd laughed at him.

KJV: He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

NKJV: He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him.

Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, has suffered what appears to be a great loss. His only daughter, about 12 years old, has died. Either before or after she died, Jairus went and found Jesus and asked Him to come and lay His hands on the girl and make her well. Jesus agreed (Matthew 9:18–19; Mark 5:21–24).

Stepping into Jairus's home, however, it appears to most that Jesus is too late to do anything. The professional mourners have already arrived. They are playing flutes and making a loud commotion, likely the common ritual of loud wailing which represented the grieving of friends and family. Everyone believes the girl to be dead.

Jesus now commands them to leave. He tells them the girl is not, in fact, dead. She is only sleeping. The professional mourners laugh at Jesus, revealing their loud sadness is only a performance and showing their unbelief. Perhaps they knew Jesus as a healer. This time, they were sure, He was too late. Of course, He was right on time.

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 5/5/2024 2:51:14 PM