Jairus’s Daughter and the Woman Who Touched Jesus

Context

A synagogue was a local Jewish gathering place for worship and Scripture, and Jairus was one of its recognized leaders. The woman at the center of the other half of this story is never named. By the time she meets Jesus, years of illness and unsuccessful treatment have consumed everything she owns without bringing relief.

Their situations are different, but their stories unfold together. Jairus comes openly on behalf of his young daughter. The woman comes quietly for herself. Jesus is already on his way to answer one urgent plea when another need emerges from the crowd.

Story

Jesus had crossed by boat to the other side and was near the shore when a large crowd gathered around him. Jairus came to him, fell at his feet, and pleaded earnestly. His little daughter was close to death. He begged Jesus to come, lay his hands on her, and heal her so that she could live.

Jesus went with him. The crowd followed so closely that people pressed against Jesus from every side.

Among them was a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years. She had endured much under the care of many doctors and had spent everything she owned, yet she had only grown worse. Then she heard about Jesus. Believing that even touching his clothing would be enough for her to be healed, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment.

At once the bleeding stopped. She felt in her body that she had been healed.

Jesus immediately knew that power had gone out from him. He turned in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” His disciples pointed out that people were pressing against him everywhere. How could he ask who had touched him? But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it.

The woman knew what had happened to her. Fearful and trembling, she came forward, fell at his feet, and told him the whole truth. Jesus called her “Daughter” and said, “Your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be free from your suffering.”

While Jesus was still speaking, people arrived from Jairus’s house. His daughter had died, they said, so there was no reason to trouble the Teacher any longer.

Hearing this, Jesus told Jairus, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” He allowed no one to accompany him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.

When they reached Jairus’s home, Jesus found a great commotion. People were weeping and wailing loudly. He asked why they were making such a disturbance and said, “The child is not dead but asleep.” They laughed at him.

Jesus sent everyone else outside. Taking the girl’s father and mother and his three disciples, he entered the place where she was lying. He took her by the hand and said, “Little girl, I say to you, get up.”

Immediately she stood up and began to walk. She was twelve years old—the same number of years the woman had suffered from bleeding. Everyone there was overwhelmed with amazement.

Jesus gave them strict orders not to make this known. Then he told them to give the girl something to eat.

What We Learned

• Jesus points beyond the woman’s touch to her faith, calls her “Daughter,” and sends her away in peace.
• When Jairus receives the news he feared, Jesus calls him to trust rather than surrender to fear.
• The interruption does not put Jairus’s daughter beyond Jesus’s reach; his care for one sufferer does not cancel his care for another.
• Jesus shows authority over long illness and death, yet his care remains personal and practical: he speaks peace, takes the girl by the hand, and makes sure she is fed.