Jairus Daughter and the Bleeding Woman

Luke 8:40 (KJV 1900)

40 And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.

Jesus had come back from Decapolis, the country of the Gadarenes. This is where he healed the demon possessed man.

Luke 8:41 KJV 1900

And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus’ feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:

A Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels Issue of Blood

Its painful character, apart from its enfeebling and prostrating effects, was increased by the fact that it involved a rigorous isolation from society, and was looked upon with particular horror.

Luke 8:45–56 KJV 1900

And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.

Luke 8:45 KJV 1900

And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament Luke 8:49–56

Jesus claims the girl is only asleep, and those present laugh at Jesus. It is interesting to consider that “sleep” becomes a Christian way of describing the intermediate state of deceased believers prior to the bodily resurrection.

Luke 8:52–53 KJV 1900

And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Luke 8:49–56

Death (vv. 49–56). The ruler of a synagogue was the elder in charge of the public services and the care of the facilities. He saw to it that people were appointed to pray, read the Scriptures, and give the sermon. He presided over the elders of the synagogue and was usually a man of reputation and wealth. It took a great deal of humility and courage for Jairus to approach Jesus and ask His help, for by this time the Jewish religious leaders were plotting to kill Him.

Luke 8:49–56 KJV 1900

While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.

This image is often used in the New Testament to describe the death of believers (John 11:11–14; Acts 7:59–60; 1 Cor. 15:51; 1 Thes. 4:13–18). Sleep is a normal experience that we do not fear, and we should not fear death.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, pp. 203–204). Victor Books.

Let me say to you, her hiding seemed very excusable; but, secondly, her hiding was not permitted; and, thirdly, your hiding should not be excused nor permitted, but should come to an end at once.

Spurgeon, C. H. (1888). “She Was Not Hid.” In The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons (Vol. 34, p. 218). Passmore & Alabaster.

This woman was not only bashful, but her sickness made her rightly wish to remain in obscurity. “I should not like my story to be known,” says one. She might have justly said the same: it must have been hard indeed for her to confess what the Lord had done. Yet she had to acknowledge his grace openly, and so must you. She is a woman sick and faint, who for twelve years has been growing weaker and weaker, yet when she is healed she must come forward and confess the cure. Does this seem hard to you? Surely it is the least she can do, and she ought to do it of her own accord. Yet if silence might have been allowed in any case, hers was so delicate a matter that she might have had the doubtful privilege of receiving mercy without acknowledging it.

 Spurgeon, C. H. (1888). “She Was Not Hid.” In The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons (Vol. 34, pp. 218–219). Passmore & Alabaster.

Jesus did not allow her to hide. The glory of God must be revealed and all flesh must see it together.

Can I tell it once God does it?