Matthew 9:18
While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.
Original Language Analysis
αὐτήν,
her
G846
αὐτήν,
her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
αὐτήν,
her
G846
αὐτήν,
her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐλθὼν
come
G2064
ἐλθὼν
come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
8 of 27
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
προσεκύνει
and worshipped
G4352
προσεκύνει
and worshipped
Strong's:
G4352
Word #:
9 of 27
to fawn or crouch to, i.e., (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore)
αὐτήν,
her
G846
αὐτήν,
her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
λέγων
saying
G3004
λέγων
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
11 of 27
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὅτι
G3754
Ἡ
G3588
Ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θυγάτηρ
daughter
G2364
θυγάτηρ
daughter
Strong's:
G2364
Word #:
14 of 27
a female child, or (by hebraism) descendant (or inhabitant)
ἐτελεύτησεν·
dead
G5053
ἐτελεύτησεν·
dead
Strong's:
G5053
Word #:
17 of 27
to finish life (by implication, of g0979), i.e., expire (demise)
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
18 of 27
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ἐλθὼν
come
G2064
ἐλθὼν
come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
19 of 27
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χεῖρά
hand
G5495
χεῖρά
hand
Strong's:
G5495
Word #:
22 of 27
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
ἐπ'
upon
G1909
ἐπ'
upon
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
24 of 27
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
αὐτήν,
her
G846
αὐτήν,
her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
25 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
Matthew 8:2And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.Luke 13:14And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.Matthew 9:24He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.John 11:32Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.2 Kings 5:11But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.
Historical Context
Synagogue rulers (αρχισυναγωγος) were leading laymen responsible for synagogue administration, worship order, and selecting readers. They held significant community status and authority. For a synagogue ruler to approach Jesus publicly demonstrated either genuine desperation or remarkable faith (or both). Touching the dead made one ceremonially unclean (Numbers 19:11-13), yet Jesus regularly broke purity barriers to heal. Jewish theology affirmed resurrection at the end of history (Daniel 12:2) but individual resurrections were rare (1 Kings 17, 2 Kings 4). Jairus's faith exceeds conventional hope, believing Jesus can raise his daughter now.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Jairus's faith despite his daughter's death teach about trusting Jesus in impossible circumstances?
- How does desperation sometimes drive people to Jesus when comfort keeps them distant?
- What does Jesus' willingness to raise the dead reveal about His authority and compassion?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
A synagogue ruler approaches Jesus: 'My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live' (η θυγατηρ μου αρτι ετελευτησεν αλλα ελθων επιθες την χειρα σου επ αυτην και ζησεται). Mark and Luke identify him as Jairus and clarify she was dying when he left, dead when they arrived. Matthew's compressed account emphasizes the ruler's extraordinary faith: believing Jesus can raise the dead. 'Lay thy hand upon her' shows faith in Jesus' healing touch. 'She shall live' (ζησεται, future tense) expresses confident expectation of resurrection. This ruler risks reputation by publicly approaching Jesus, demonstrating that desperation drives people past social barriers to Jesus. His faith acknowledges Jesus' authority over death itself, anticipating Jesus' ultimate resurrection victory.