Matthew 9:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In the Gospel of Mark (Mark 5:37), it is recorded that Christ accompanied three of His disciples, with a similar account in Luke (Luke 8:51), although Matthew does not specify this number. One might wonder why Matthew himself, who had only recently become a disciple, was not among those chosen. This choice seems intended to kindle within him a deeper longing, as he was still maturing in his faith. Christ tends to select certain individuals over others, encouraging those left behind to aspire to be like them.

Mark and Luke both mention that numerous individuals followed Him, as many were focused on their earthly desires rather than seeking the salvation of their souls; they were primarily interested in physical healing rather than spiritual benefit.

The request of the official, the faith of the suffering woman, the assembly of individuals in the home, the appeals of the two blind men, and the restoration of the deaf-mute possessed man are all interconnected in meaning with one another. The leader is a representation of the law, which advocates to the Lord on behalf of the people. This law provided sustenance for the people as they anticipated the coming of Christ and it brings life to the lifeless. It is noteworthy that none of the rulers were described as believers, thus the figure of this beseeching official symbolizes the law, which the Lord promised to assist and fulfilled that promise promptly.

The Lord sought to ignite even the faint glimmer of Jairus' faith into a blazing hope. He heard the anguished plea of the grieving father: And rising up, JESUS (from behind the table) WENT AFTER HIM. His disciples and a great crowd accompanied Him. Jairus' heart was so overwhelmed with grief that it lacked the strength to banish all doubt and fear. At the same time, his fragile faith was about to encounter a daunting trial, one he dreaded without yet realizing it was upon him—that his daughter had already passed away. It was essential to bolster this faith, and this is the very action the wisdom of God undertakes to fortify his belief.

As the Lord journeyed towards the Gerasenes, the crowds that had gathered in Capernaum opted to remain in the city, anticipating His return. Jairus, the archdeacon whose daughter was gravely ill, had a particular need of His help. Upon the Lord's return to Capernaum, Jairus implored Him to save his daughter, who was on the brink of death. It is known that this was not the first instance of the Lord demonstrating His compassion in Capernaum; He had previously healed the son of a royal merchant and had performed a miracle for the centurion's servant at Cana, allowing many to experience His grace. Providentially, the arch-synagogue found himself in need of divine intervention as well. However, one might ponder whether he shared the same level of faith as others who received the Lord's favor.

According to the Gospel of Matthew, Jairus informs Jesus that his daughter has already passed away (ετελέυτησεν v. 18) and consequently requests His intervention for a resurrection. In contrast, the Gospels of Mark (εσχάτως έχει v. 23) and Luke (αυτη άπεθνισκεν v. 42) indicate that she was merely nearing death, suggesting that Jairus initially sought healing for her, with the news of her death arriving later. Given the circumstances of the afflicted woman and Jairus’s emotional state, it seems unlikely that his words were entirely precise or lacking in uncertainty; he likely intended to convey that when he departed from his home, his daughter was in imminent death, and now she could be dead.

With a compassion that always listened to the pleas of those in sorrow, Jesus Christ promptly stood up and followed him, joined not just by His disciples but also by the multitude that encircled Him, observing what was taking place. As He walked, the crowd pressed forward eagerly, surrounding Him.

"And rose up": from the table (Matt. 9:10). The Gospel writer recounts the events as follows: while dining in the home of the newly chosen Apostle Matthew, Christ 1) responds to the Pharisees (Matt. 9:11-13), 2) then addresses the disciples of John, 3) 'while He was still speaking to them,' Jairus approaches, 4) and then Jesus rises, that is, from the table.

When Jesus arrived back in Capernaum, located on the west side of Lake Gennesaret, He was met by a large crowd eager to see Him. Among them was a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, who pushed through the throng. His only daughter, around twelve years old, was critically ill—near death. Falling at Jesus’ feet in despair, the father pleaded, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please come and lay your hands on her so that she may be made whole and live.” The esteemed Theophylact remarks that this father had faith, albeit limited, as he did not merely request a word of healing, like the centurion did (Matt. 8:8), but asked Jesus to come and place His hands on her. Jesus agreed to accompany Jairus to his home, followed by His disciples and a throng of people who pressed in on Him along the way.