Matthew 9:18-26

18 While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.”

19 So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples.

20 And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment.

21 For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.”

22 But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.

23 When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing,

24 He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him.

25 But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose.

26 And the report of this went out into all that land.

This account also appears in Mark 5:22-43 and Luke 8:41-56.

ruler (v.18) — Jairus, a ruler in the local synagogue

blood (v.20) — By reason of her trouble, she was excommunicated religiously. The Hebrew economy did not permit a woman so suffering to take any part or place in the worship of God. She was shut out from temple and synagogue worship. She was divorced from her husband by the same law. She was ostracized from society. — Morgan, page 95.

hem (v.20) — Law-abiding Jews wore a blue ribbon in the hem of their tunics (Numbers 15:38-41; Deuteronomy 22:12).

The woman’s action was significant. A subject knelt to touch the hem of a king’s robe to show loyalty and submission to his authority. Such an action preceded the presentation of a request to the king by the subject. Hence the woman’s act showed her recognition of the royal authority that belonged to Christ. — Pentecost, page 224.

musicians (v.23) — professional mourners hired to play dirges