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Luke 8:49: Says while he yet spake, there came one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.
50: But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.
51: 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.
52: And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.
53: And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.
54: And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.
55: And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.
56: And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done
It would appear that Jesus taking time to heal the woman who was bleeding, caused a delay in Jesus going to Jairus's dying daughter. While at the scene of the woman with the issue of blood, someone came from Jairus's house to tell them Jairus's daughter had died and that Jesus needn't bother coming anymore. Jesus responded to this news by saying to Jairus "Fear not!!Only believe and she will be made whole!! When they arrived at the synagogue rulers home Jesus only allowed the parents along with Peter James and John to go into the house. We are then told that all those inside already wept and bewailed her. We aren't told who these people are, but can deduce that they were professional mourners as was the custom in Israel at someones death. Jesus comes in and says to them she is not dead but sleeping. At this they responded with scornful mocking of Jesus. This is clearly not a resusitation that Jesus is about to bring about as Luke tells us that they knew she was dead. It was clear to them she was dead otherwise they wouldn't have mocked Jesus. At this response Jesus puts them out the room. Jesus then took the dead girl by the hand and in Aramaic said "Talitha cum" meaning girl arise!!Her life came back to her when Jesus spoke the command for her to live again. Immediatly Jesus told them to give her some food as sustenance. When it says her parents were astonished it is in English too much of an understatement. They were rather in complete and absolute awe!! They had just encountered one who raises the dead, surely this must be God in Jesus His Christ coming to save israel even from her last enemy, death. In Johns gospel the raising of Lazarus was to demonstrate that Jesus was the resurrection and the life!! Indeed as devout Jews they understood only God could and would raise the dead and that again on the last Day. Again the powers of the age to come of Gods Kingdom were been demonstrated in the now. This miracle is very much a revelation to the parents as to Jesus authority and that His authority was indeed Gods same authority. The miracle was a sign that pointed to who Jesus was. This has led many to say that Jesus next words in telling them to tell none, related to Jesus not wanting Himself to be known as God. Rather the response of telling them to tell no one is meant for those mockers who had mocked Him. Jesus knew the girl would show herself to the people and what Jesus had done would be made known. He wasn't forbidding that but rather forbidding it to be made known to the mockers who scorned him. The mighty works of God have been shown to Israel and Israel know that God is visiting them, for the time of the Kingdom of God is at hand and is being revealed before their very eyes. |
