Matthew 9:19
And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 10
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐγερθεὶς
arose
G1453
ἐγερθεὶς
arose
Strong's:
G1453
Word #:
2 of 10
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 10
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἠκολούθησεν
and followed
G190
ἠκολούθησεν
and followed
Strong's:
G190
Word #:
5 of 10
properly, to be in the same way with, i.e., to accompany (specially, as a disciple)
αὐτοῦ
so did his
G846
αὐτοῦ
so did his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 10
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
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 10
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Historical Context
Jewish rabbis typically maintained formal distance from followers and petitioners. Students came to rabbis; rabbis didn't typically make house calls, especially to unclean situations. Jesus' pattern of going to people—entering homes, touching lepers, visiting tax collectors—was countercultural. His willingness to enter a house with a corpse (rendering Him ceremonially unclean) showed that compassion trumped ceremonial purity. Early Christian ministry continued this incarnational pattern: going to people rather than waiting for them to come to proper religious spaces.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' immediate response to Jairus model compassionate ministry to desperate people?
- What does Jesus' willingness to interrupt His agenda teach about kingdom priorities?
- How can we develop Jesus' accessibility and responsiveness to human need?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus' response to Jairus is simple obedience: 'Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples' (εγερθεις ο Ιησους ηκολουθει αυτω και οι μαθηται αυτου). No hesitation, no conditions, no delay—just immediate response to desperate need. 'Arose' (εγερθεις) suggests Jesus was seated, perhaps teaching or eating. He interrupts His current activity to address urgent human suffering. This models Jesus' accessibility and compassion. Despite growing fame and increasing demands, Jesus responds personally to individual crisis. The disciples 'followed him,' learning compassion through observation. This scene demonstrates incarnational ministry: Jesus doesn't send proxy or offer distant comfort but personally goes to the place of death and grief. His willingness to enter homes, touch the unclean, and face death directly reveals God's intimate involvement in human suffering.