Jesus Sends Out His Twelve Disciples

Continuing a Bible study of the Gospels:

(Matthew 10:1) And when He had called to Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

At the end of the last chapter and post, Jesus had remarked that the harvest of souls was plentiful, but the laborers were few.  He had now appointed His twelve disciples and had equipped them for that work.  He gave them the spiritual power to cast out unclean spirits and to heal all manner of sickness and disease.  It is noteworthy that Jesus chose twelve disciples to be His inner circle, twelve being the number of the tribes of Israel.

(2) Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: the first, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother.

Here begins the list of the twelve disciples, or apostles, as the inner circle of twelve were now called.  Peter and Andrew were called the first because they were the first called by Jesus.  James and John, the sons of Zebedee, make four.

(3) Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew the publican, James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus whose surname was Thaddaeus.

The names of the next four disciples were Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, and Matthew, the tax collector and author of this gospel account.  Next was James, the son of Alphaeus, who was named to distinguish him from the son of Zebedee.  The tenth apostle named was Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus, and that is the name used in the list made by Mark in his gospel account.

(4) Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.

Rounding out the twelve were Simon, the Canaanite, distinguishing him from Simon Peter, and Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed Jesus.  This Simon was also called Simon the Zealot.

(5) These twelve Jesus sent forth and commanded them, saying, "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans. (6) But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

Jesus sent out His twelve disciples on a mission with His instructions.  First they were commanded not to go among the Gentiles or into any city of the Samaritans.  They were to preach the gospel first to the lost souls in Israel, the original chosen people of God, the people among whom the Messiah was born, the people who had long looked forward to His coming.  It was only fitting that they should receive His message first.

(7) "And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'"

As the disciples went through the cities of Judea, they were to preach that the kingdom of heaven was at hand, proclaiming the same words used by Jesus's forerunner, John the Baptist (Matthew 3:2).

(8) "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils; freely you have received, freely give."

Jesus instructed His apostles, with the power He had given them, to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out demons.  They had been freely given the spiritual gifts to do all these things, and they were instructed to perform those gifts freely to those in need.

(9) "Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, (10) Nor bag for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor staffs, for the workman is worthy of his food."

Jesus told them not to carry money in their purses, nor prepare any bag for their journey.  They weren't to carry a change of clothes, nor extra shoes or staffs.  Workmen were worthy of their necessities, meaning the work they would be doing would make them worthy of receiving provisions and support from those they ministered to, and God would surely provide.  They were not to concern themselves with stuff, but were to depend on God for their provisions and put all their effort into His work.

(11) "And into whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and abide there till you go out."

When the apostles came into a town or city, they were to inquire and seek out the place best suited to receive them as guests and allow them to stay there until they left that town.

(12) "And when you come into a house, salute it."

When the apostles first entered a house, they were to show the family of the house all the customary tokens of respect and civility, regardless of whether or not they would stay there.

(13) "And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you."

If the household proved to be courteous and welcoming, and ready to receive them, then the peace the apostles wished for in their salutation to the house, should come and rest on the house.  However, if the house proved to be unwelcoming, then those blessings of peace and goodwill would be upon the apostles themselves as they sought another house.

(14) "And whoever will not receive you, nor hear your words, when you depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet."

If a house rejected them, or if no hospitable house was found in an entire city, the apostles were to depart the house or city, shaking its dust off their feet, indicating they no longer had any connection with it, or any responsibility for its guilt in rejecting them and their message.

(15) "Verily, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."

The sins and punishment of Sodom and Gomorrha were well known by all inhabitants of the region.  Jesus said that those who rejected the gospel would be judged more harshly than the sinners in Sodom and Gomorrha.  That was because Sodom and Gomorrha had not been so highly favored with so much light and instruction as the Jews at the time of Jesus, for to whomever much is given, from him much will be required (Luke 12:48).

(16) "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves."

Jesus told the apostles that He was sending them as defenseless sheep into a cruel and ravenous world.  Therefore, He advised them to be wise and even cunning as serpents were said to be, but in their cunning, they should be harmless as doves.  Their cunning ways were not to bring any harm.  

(17) "But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues."

Jesus warned them to be on guard against men, their own countrymen with whom they may have once felt comfort, for they now might want to oppress and persecute them, and turn them over to the courts for punishment.

(18) "And you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles."

The reason they would be persecuted was for Jesus's sake, purely for their profession of faith in Him and for preaching His gospel.  Jesus told them they would even be brought before governors and kings to testify the truth before them, a testimony that would appear to be in opposition to all they thought they knew with their legalistic laws of men.  It was called a testimony against the Gentiles, too, which might be so said because they would be brought before heathen kings, but it might also be a hint that the apostles' message would soon be spread to the Gentiles, as well as the Jews.

(19) "But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what you shall speak, for it shall be given you in that same hour what you shall speak. (20) For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you."

Jesus told them not to worry or be anxious about what they might say or how they might behave when they were brought before the courts or rulers, for the Holy Spirit of God would speak through them.  What a wonderful promise and such a beautiful thing that no surprise attack, no deficiency of talent, nor ignorance itself, would hurt the purpose of God!  The apostles would be willing instruments of the Holy Spirit of God!

(21) "And the brother will deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child; and the children will rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death."

This is a harsh and hard fact to understand presented by Jesus, that members of family would turn against one another, that parents could actually turn aside their natural affection for their children and deliver them up to wicked magistrates to be put to death, just because they professed a different faith.  This shows an astonishing enmity in the soul of man against the gospel of Christ!  Whenever there seemed to be no plausible explanation for something, my husband always explained it was spiritual.  It is a sad corruption of human nature resulting from spiritual warfare led by Satan himself that people could have such pure hatred for the gospel of Christ that they could put aside natural affections and kill because of it!

(22) "And you shall be hated by all for My name's sake, but he who endures to the end shall be saved."

Jesus warned the apostles would be hated by all kinds of men all over because of their attachment to Jesus Himself.  However, He encouraged them with the fact that if they endured in their faith till the end, they would indeed be saved.  It also seems to suggest that if they did not hold fast to their faith till death, they would not be saved.  Is this an argument against "once saved, always saved," or perhaps a passing reference to Judas Iscariot, who would obviously not endure to the end, but would betray Christ?  

(23) "But when they persecute you in this city, flee to another, for verily I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel, before the Son of Man comes."

Jesus told the apostles if they were persecuted in one city, flee to another, for time was short.  They would not have finished their work of preaching the gospel of Christ before His kingdom would indeed be come to earth in that He would be resurrected and His Holy Spirit poured out on earth.

(24) "The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord."

Jesus told them that a disciple was not better than his teacher, nor a servant better than his master.  They should expect no better treatment as merely His disciples than He, the Lord Himself, would receive.  

(25) "It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord.  If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call them of his household?"

A disciple should think himself well off if he received the same treatment as his master, and be happy if he received no worse treatment than his master.  If men have called the master of the house Beelzebub, Lord of the Flies, or a name for Satan himself, are they really going to treat the members of his household much better?  

(26) "Fear them not therefore, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known."

Jesus told His disciples to therefore not fear men for all would be revealed.  They could be assured that God saw everything and that they would not receive any worse treatment than would Jesus, and soon all would be known.  Even though we know Jesus would suffer unimaginably, He overcame that death and arose, and therefore His followers could expect to overcome it all, as well.

(27) "What I tell you in darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops."

Jesus told His disciples that what He then told them in secret, they were to declare openly and publicly.  

(28) "And do not fear them who can kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

He told them not to fear anything they might suffer when proclaiming these truths.  Men could indeed kill the body, but that is all they could do.  They could not kill the soul, and the body's temporal life is nothing compared to the eternal life of the soul.  Likewise, mere men who would themselves soon die, were nothing to fear against the Lord God who held their souls and could destroy both body and soul in an eternal hell.  The disciples who would be working for God should have a reverential fear for the One who held their souls in His hand, and therefore fear not mere men.

(29) "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father."

A farthing was a coin of very little value.  I'm not sure of its exact worth in Biblical times, but a British farthing was equal to one fourth of a penny.  Jesus's point to His disciples was that even though the sparrows were of such little value in the eyes of the world, not one fell to the ground or died without His knowledge and will.

(30) "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered."

Sparrows of such little value were of concern to the Father, but concerning His disciples, the Father knew the exact number of hairs on their heads, indicating even more care and attention to the smallest details of their lives.

(31) "Do not fear, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."

Indeed, Jesus told His disciples, they were more valuable to God than many sparrows, so they had no reason to fear men; they had God on their side.

(32) "Whoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father who is in heaven."

Jesus told them that whoever publicly confessed Him to be the promised Messiah, He would acknowledge that person before God in heaven that he was His own. 

(33) "But whoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father who is in heaven."

However, whoever denied Christ before men would likewise be denied as one of His own before God in heaven.  Christ was Mediator between God and man, Savior to all men who could never be good enough on their own to approach God.  Therefore, to deny Christ, was to forbid themselves access to the kingdom of God.

(34) "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth; I came not to send peace but a sword."

How could it be that the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) did not come to bring peace, but a sword?  I believe the meaning is that His purpose was not to get along solely for the sake of peaceful getting along.  What He brought with Him to earth would produce much strife and contention, but He would never back down from the truth.  He would be proactive, and not merely reactive.  The sword is a symbol of that, and is often used to represent the Word of God.  

(35) "For I have come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

Jesus quoted Micah 7:6 in this, meaning that His coming would create disagreement and strife within families.  A father, while unconverted, would oppose a godly child, and vice versa.  It is the spirit that is in those who sin against God that is opposed to that spirit which is in the followers of Christ.  Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that it is the spirits that are in opposition, and not the persons, "for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against...rulers of darkness..."

(36) "And a man's foes will be those of his own household."

Jesus told His disciples that a man's foes would those of his own family.  Those are the people who knew him best, and vice versa.  There would be the most intense debates over religion, so there would the most hostilities and strife erupt.

(37) "He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."

Jesus was not contradicting the commandment to honor father and mother, but one must not drop the confession of Christ or neglect His commands in order to please a family member.  We must love God and Christ above all others, or we are not worthy to be called by His name.  This is where the sword divides families.

(38) "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me."

The meaning of this is that one must be ready to endure all the punishment and afflictions that would come when following Christ.  More than that, what a prophetic statement it was!  Taking up one's cross is more than bearing trials in general, but is a preparedness to go forth following after Jesus even unto crucifixion.  This was a more remarkable statement by Jesus when you realize that crucifixion was not a Jewish method of capital punishment.  Jesus's followers must be willing to follow Him wherever it leads or they are not worthy of Him.  

(39) "He who finds his life shall lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake shall find it."

Finding one's life is a way of saying preserving or saving his life.  One who preserves his life by denying Christ and living according to worldly lusts will lose eternal life.  However, one who dies to selfish lusts, and gives his life to Christ, will find everlasting life.

(40) "He who receives you, receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent me."

After so much warning about persecution, it must have been an encouragement to the disciples to know that some people would receive them and their message favorably.  And those who received them were in actuality receiving the message of Him who sent them, and in receiving Jesus, they received God the Father.

(41) "He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive a prophet's reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man, shall receive a righteous man's reward."

Whoever received a prophet, or minister of the gospel in this case, as a prophet or the messenger of the gospel as he was, would share in that prophet's reward.  Likewise, receiving a righteous man as he was, would give him a share in the righteous man's reward.  Those who graciously received the disciples would be blessed, obviously by the message itself, but even more so because they had been so gracious to God's workers.

(42) "And whoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily, I say to you, he shall in no way lose his reward."

Jesus said that whoever gave so little as a cup of cold water to those little ones, the disciples, regarded by the world as lowly, and perhaps regarded by themselves as little unlearned followers of Christ, would be rewarded for that act of kindness.  As Jesus said elsewhere, in Matthew 25:40, whenever one gave a drink to the least of these, His brethren, so he gave it to Him.

In this chapter and post, Jesus prepared His disciples to go out into the world preaching the Gospel.  By His instructions we can learn many things that direct how we should go forth in the world today.  The gift of God's salvation through Jesus Christ is as free as all other gifts of God, including air, water, and sunlight; all are welcome to receive it, regardless of their stations in life.  Because it is a free gift, ministers of the gospel should depend on God for their provision.  We should treat messengers of the gospel kindly; they are sent to benefit the world and it is proper that they should be kindly received and have their needs supplied.  It is no small matter to reject Christ and the gospel, and judgment will be forthcoming.  We should take proper care of our lives and not endanger them by foolish unwarranted actions.  We should flee from danger when we can do it without denying God.  Albert Barnes, in his Notes on the Bible, wrote, "He that throws away his life when it might have been, and ought to have been preserved, is a self-murderer. He that exposes himself when duty does not require it, and whose life pays the forfeit, goes before God 'rushing unbidden into his Maker’s presence,' nor can he be held guiltless."  We are to persevere through all trials till the end, and know that God watches over us.  We have a duty to confess Christ before men and never be ashamed of Him and His gospel.  How easy it is to receive the rewards of heaven!  What is easier than giving a cup of water to a stranger?!  Of course, it's the motive of the heart that determines God's reward; love heightens the smallest act.  Even the poorest person can be hospitable.  I will end this post with a message I just received this week.  My new neighbor helped pull me out of the mud and went over and beyond what was necessary to help.  He then proceeded to tell me his philosophy on life and obedience to the Holy Spirit.  He said that hospitality originated with the Holy Spirit and that the word "hospitality" itself was short for "Holy Spirituality".  Although I don't necessarily believe that is true, I thought it was a beautiful thought.  Indeed we love because God first loved us (1 John 4:19-21).

The Calling of Matthew and Many More Healings by Jesus

Continuing a Bible study of the Gospels:

(Matthew 9:1) And He entered into a ship and crossed over, and came into His own city.

At the end of the last chapter and post, the Gergesenes had asked Jesus to leave their country.  Therefore, He boarded a ship and crossed over the sea, going back to His own city, Capernaum, where He spent most of His adult life.

(2) And behold, they brought to Him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed; and Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the one sick of the palsy, "Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you."

Some people brought to Jesus a man struck with palsy, which probably meant he was paralyzed.  It is interesting to note that the original word translated as "palsy" is "paralutikos," very similar to the word "paralytic."  The fact that they brought the man lying on a bed, probably more accurately a mattress or pallet, shows he could not walk.  Jesus saw faith in those who brought him to Him to be healed, but rather than just immediately healing the man, Jesus told him to be of good cheer.  He called him "son," probably meant to be an endearing term, and may have been encouraging him as the man most likely had begun to greatly despond.  Jesus, knowing the hearts of men, may have known the man felt guilty and believed that sinful living had brought about his condition.  He may have felt he was too great a sinner for Jesus to regard him.  Therefore, Jesus, first calling him an endearing name, told him to take heart and be of cheer because his sins had been forgiven.  

(3) And behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, "This man blasphemes!"

Some scribes who were witnessing this event, said either to themselves, or within their circle, but not aloud and openly, that Jesus blasphemed, because He had attributed to Himself the ability to forgive sins, that which only belonged to God.

(4) And Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts?"

Although they had not said it aloud, Jesus knew the thoughts of the scribes, and asked them why they regarded Him as evil; and with that, knowing their thoughts as no mere man could know, He proved His power divine; only God can forgive sins and only God knows the hearts of men.

(5) "For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say 'Arise and walk'?"

These scribes had obviously seen or heard of Jesus's miraculous healings.  How could He miraculously heal, other than by divine power of God?  That same power that miraculously heals, forgives sins; both are equally easy to God, and equally difficult to mere man.  The root cause of sickness and death in this world is sin, and Jesus had gone directly to the source of the sickness in this man.

(6) "But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins," then He said to the one sick of the palsy, "Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house."

So that the scribes might know the truth, that the same One who had power on earth to miraculously heal, also had the power to forgive sins, Jesus told the paralytic to get up, take his bed, and go home.  In other words, to prove to the scribes that He had the power and authority to forgive sins, He would perform the act of healing that they surely perceived to require the power of God.

(7) And he arose, and departed to his house.

The paralytic, perfectly healed, indeed rose up and went to his house.

(8) But when the multitudes saw it, they marveled, and glorified God, who had given such power to men.

That which was seen as evil and blasphemous to the scribes, was seen by the multitudes of people as a miracle of God, and they praised and glorified Him.  At this point, they realized only God could do these things, and in their minds, Jesus was a mere man, but they saw Him as one to whom God had given great power.

(9) And as Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the custom house; and He said to him, "Follow Me." And he arose and followed Him.

Jesus went on from the place where He had healed the paralytic.  He saw a man named Matthew (the author of this gospel account) sitting at the custom house, a place where taxes were collected.  Matthew was also known as Levi, which some of the other gospel authors call him.  Matthew was in the custom house, presumably in the midst of his business of collecting taxes, when Jesus called to him to follow Him.  It appears he, without hesitation, immediately rose and followed Jesus.

(10) And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples.

This same account in Luke says that Matthew himself had made a great feast in his own house for Jesus, and there was a great company of tax collectors and sinners who were at this feast.  As Matthew had been a tax collector, it makes sense he would have known many such people.  

(11) And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, "Why does your Master eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

When the Pharisees saw this, the account in Luke says they murmured against Jesus's disciples, asking why would their master or teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners, not daring to ask Jesus Himself aloud.  Of course, the insinuation was that their master could not be righteous Himself if He associated with such people.

(12) But when Jesus heard that, He said to them, "Those who are well do not need a physician, but they who are sick."

Even though the Pharisees didn't have the courage to address Him, Jesus heard what they said, and addressed them directly.  Jesus told them that those who were well did not need a physician, but it was the sick who needed Him, and He should be found among them.  Likewise, those who would deem themselves righteous as the Pharisees obviously thought of themselves, then perhaps felt no need to have Him around them.  However, to those sinners He came to heal and save them.  Here Jesus represented Himself as the Great Physician of souls.

(13) "But you go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."

Jesus challenged the Pharisees to learn the meaning of the scripture Hosea 6:6, "For I desired mercy and not sacrifice."  The meaning, of course, was that God preferred acts of mercy and kindness over ritual acts of religion.  Jesus came for the merciful act of saving sinners, not for engaging in religious rituals with the righteous.  Jesus told them He did not come to call the righteous to repentance, but He came for sinners; therefore it was right He should associate with them.  Of course, all are sinners, but the Pharisees didn't see themselves that way, so Jesus was in essence telling them, if they were so righteous, then they didn't need Him, but these people did.

(14) Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?"

It appears that these disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus at Matthew's feast.  It is probable that John was in prison by this time.  His disciples probably correctly understood that John was the forerunner of the Messiah, so they didn't understand why there was this difference between John's disciples and Jesus's with regard to fasting.  They were possibly grieving because of John's imprisonment, and at that time observing days of fasting; and they didn't understand why the followers of Jesus would not join with them in lamenting the captivity of the one who was the forerunner and baptizer of their Lord.

(15) And Jesus said to them, "Can the children of the bridechamber mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and then they will fast."

The 1599 Geneva Bible Translation Notes states that "children of the bridechamber" was a Hebrew idiom for those who were admitted into the marriage chamber as the groom's closest friends.  Jesus's point was that while He, the bridegroom, was with them, it was a time of rejoicing, not mourning.  However, He did say there would come a time when He, the bridegroom, would be taken away from them, and then they would mourn and would fast.

(16) "No man puts a piece of new cloth on an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up takes from the garment, and the tear is made worse."

This is a rather difficult verse to understand, but I believe the meaning is this:  No one would put a new raw unwashed piece of cloth on an old garment and expect it to properly mend a hole.  The patch of new cloth, when washed, would shrink and pull away from the garment and the tear would be made worse.  Just like the children of the bridechamber could not be expected to mourn like those from without, that new patch of Christians could not be expected to wear like the old legalistic religious crowd.  Luke put it this way in his account, "The piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old."  Likewise, there was no agreement between the laws of God, that true spirit of the law Jesus was teaching them, and the old legalistic religious rituals of man.  It would only make things worse to plop those new Christians into the old ways, expecting them to observe the old traditions of man.  Either they would lose the true spirit of God's laws, or they would disrupt the old legalistic rituals.  Just like the children of the bridechamber could not mourn, but only rejoice, so this new patch of Christians could not be expected to squelch the spirit and adhere to legalistic laws of man.

(17) "Neither do men put new wine into old bottles, else the bottles break and the wine runs out, and the bottles perish; but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved."

This one is even more difficult.  However, when you realize that wine bottles back then were actually leather wineskins, it becomes easier to understand.  New fermenting wine would soon burst old worn out wineskins.  Once again, the new does not agree with the old.  Expecting new growing spiritual Christians to fit into the old religion of legalistic rules would hurt both; the Christians' spirits would be squelched, and their actions would disrupt the legalistic rites of man.  Once again, keeping these new Christians in their right place and time with Jesus, the bridegroom, preserves them, and doesn't disrupt the laws of man.  Jesus was telling the disciples of John with these three examples, that there was a propriety for things, and at that present time, His disciples were doing what was proper at that time.

(18) While He spoke these things to them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshiped Him, saying, "My daughter is even now dead, but come and lay Your hand upon her, and she will live."

While Jesus was speaking to the disciples of John, a certain ruler came to Him.  The accounts in Mark and Luke tell us this man's name was Jairus, and he was an elder of the synagogue.  He indeed worshiped Jesus and fell down at His feet, according to the other accounts.  From the other accounts, we get the picture that the man left his daughter at the point of death, and he imagined she would be dead by this time, or else he had been informed that she was indeed dead by then.  This man demonstrated great faith in Jesus that with His touch, he knew his daughter would live.  This is the first account in the Gospels of Jesus raising someone from the dead, although, chronologically, there had been one before this, described in Luke.  

(19) And Jesus arose and followed Him, and so did His disciples.

It appears that Jesus immediately arose and followed the man to his home.  His disciples followed, desiring to witness the miracle, I'm sure.  Jesus could have instantly healed the girl without going to her, and may have healed her before she died.  The reasons He didn't are at the least two-fold.  One was to demonstrate to His disciples that they should spare no steps or pains to save a soul.  The other was likely to give the child time to die, and He would perform a greater miracle.  Why did Jesus have to perform a bigger miracle?  He was teaching that He had power over everything--sickness, demons, weather, and even death.  

(20) And behold, a woman who was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind and touched the hem of His garment. (21) For she said within herself, "If I may but touch His garment, I shall be whole."

While Jesus was on His way to Jairus's house, a woman who had been ill with a flow of blood for twelve years, came up behind Him and touched the hem of His garment.  She felt that if she could only touch Jesus's garment, she would be healed and made whole."

(22) But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her, He said, "Daughter, be of good comfort; your faith has made you whole."  And the woman was made whole from that hour.

When the woman touched His hem, Jesus turned around and spoke to her, telling her to be of good cheer, that her faith had healed her.  She surely had demonstrated great faith in Him that merely touching the hem of His garment would heal her.  She was healed or made whole, probably instantly.  The original word that was translated as "hour" also meant "an instant," and knowing our Lord by His previous miracles, I am sure the healing was instantaneous.

(23) And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, (24) He said to them, "Make room, for the maiden is not dead, but sleeps."  And they laughed Him to scorn.

By the time Jesus arrived at the ruler's house, his daughter was indeed dead.  There were musicians and people lamenting her death.  Jesus told them to make room for Him, that the girl was not dead, but only sleeping.  To that statement, the people ridiculed Him for they "knew" her to be dead.

(25) But when the people were put out, He went in and took her by the hand, and the maiden arose.

When the people were moved out, Jesus went in to where the girl lay, and took her by the hand, and she arose.

(26) And the fame of this went abroad into all that land.

The report of this miracle of raising that girl from the dead went far and wide all over that countryside.

(27) And when Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, "Son of David, have mercy on us!"

When Jesus left Jairus's house where he had raised his daughter from the dead, two blind men followed Him, crying out to Him, calling Him the son of David, and asking Him to have mercy on them.  These blind men seemed to have great faith that Jesus was the Messiah, that Son of David (Matthew 1:1), and He would open the eyes of the blind (Isaiah 35:5).

(28) And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him, and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord."

When Jesus had come into the house to which He had been going, the blind men followed Him.  Jesus did not stop to talk to them as they followed Him on the way to the house, even though they were crying out to Him.  This may have been to avoid an audience, or perhaps to test their faith, as He did then, asking them if they believed He could heal their blindness.  They answered that yes, they believed He was able.

(29) Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you."

Jesus touched their eyes.  He certainly did not have to touch them to heal them, but since they were blind, I believe it may have been an extra bit of communication demonstrating that the power to heal their eyes did come from Him.  Jesus healed in many different ways, I believe to show His power was not limited to any one way, and to prove there was no one magic formula.  He told the blind men that according to the great faith they had, they would receive the sight they believed He could grant.

(30) And their eyes were opened; and Jesus sternly charged them, saying, "See that no man knows."

Their eyes were immediately opened, meaning they could see.  Jesus this time more sternly charged these recipients of miraculous healing not to tell anyone.  How could they not tell?  Even if they tried to keep such an amazing miracle a secret, it would become quite evident pretty soon afterward that they could now see.  I believe the only explanation is that Jesus didn't want them to go out and immediately proclaim it.  It is probably for the same reason that He didn't heal them until they came privately into the house.  For one thing, Jesus did not heal for fame and vain glory; and He did not want to draw even more throngs of people that might hasten His persecution and crucifixion, as all things must be done in God's timing.

(31) But they, when they were departed, spread abroad His fame in all that country.

In spite of Jesus's stern command, the blind men went out and proclaimed far and wide what He had done for them, spreading His fame throughout all that country.

(32) As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a dumb man possessed with a devil.

When the blind men went out of the house, some other people brought to Jesus a mute man who was demon-possessed.

(33) And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spoke, and the multitudes marveled, saying, "It was never seen like this in Israel!"

Apparently, the muteness was not natural, but was demon-caused, for when Jesus cast out the demon, the mute man immediately spoke.  The multitudes marveled, meaning a great number of people had come to witness the miracle, possibly being driven by the proclamation of the blind men as they were going out.  They exclaimed there had never before been anything like the miracles of Jesus seen in Israel.  Although there had been many miracles performed in Israel's past by Moses and the prophets, they had never seen anything like what Jesus could do.

(34) But the Pharisees said, "He casts out devils by the prince of the devils."

The Pharisees, who had begun to be envious and scornful of Jesus, absurdly remarked that He cast out demons by the power of the prince of the demons, Satan himself.  They could not deny that Jesus had indeed cast out demons, nor could they deny that it was a good thing that He did in casting them out.  Therefore, their only possible charge against Him was that He cast out demons by the power of Satan, which seems a ridiculous charge, because why would Satan want to cast devils out of people?  But such is the wisdom of fools, as there is no wisdom against God (Proverbs 21:30).

(35) And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

Jesus went about all the cities and villages, not confining Himself to one area, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the good news of the kingdom of the Messiah, that is, that reconciliation to God was possible through salvation in the Messiah.  Once again, it is stated that Jesus healed every sickness and disease among the people.  Also I am once again reminded that Word of Faith followers believe this means every sickness and disease must now be healed if only we had the faith to believe Christ has already done it.  He has indeed healed us from death, but He has not healed us from every disease we may possess on earth.  I believe the hundred percent healings He did during His time was for the purpose of showing His power over all sin, sickness, and death.  To not heal even one would have made fodder for the skeptics to say He was unable to heal that one.  However, we have the knowledge that Christ did overcome all, even death, and now those miraculous healings are not always necessary.  Yes, sometimes people are healed miraculously in this day and age.  I have been witness to one remarkable healing.  If that is God's will that it might be used for His glory and to bring more people to salvation, then He may choose to do it.  However, it can also be His will to have people witness the faith and joy in someone even through his or her sickness, and that can make people want to know the reason and source of their joy (1 Peter 3:15).

(36) But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were faint and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

As Jesus went about all the cities and villages, He was moved with compassion for the multitudes of people He saw.  They were weary in their minds and souls, tossed about and divided with the rites of religion and the doctrines of the Pharisees.  Although they had many teachers, they had no one to care for their souls, and were lost as sheep with no shepherds.

(37) Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few."

Being moved by seeing all the people without a shepherd, Jesus told His disciples that the harvest of souls that were prepared to receive the truth of the gospel was plentiful, but there were few workers or ministers to bring them in to their place of salvation.

(38) "Therefore pray to the Lord of the harvest that He will send forth laborers into His harvest."

Jesus instructed His disciples to pray to God that He would send forth laborers to bring these lost souls to salvation.  The original word "ekballo" that was translated as "send forth" was actually a much stronger emphatic word, meaning more like "eject" or "thrust forth."  There was to be an urgency in the prayers for workers who had never before had occasion for work such as this.  Therefore they were to be pushed outside their comfort zones into new territory, being led by the Holy Spirit and furnished with the grace and gifts necessary for the work.

This chapter presented many different healings by Jesus.  Jesus healed all who came to Him, demonstrating His power over all sins and demons and even death.  There is no sin so bad, nor any sinner so wicked, that cannot be forgiven by Jesus.  There was also demonstrated in this chapter the perseverance of those coming to Christ in the case of the man on a cot being brought by others, and the woman who grabbed at Jesus's hem as He went by.  So the poor sinner should let no obstacle stand in his way, but come to Jesus at once.  We saw in this chapter strong instances of faith in Jesus to heal and even raise from the dead.  We may be just as assured that Jesus will not turn any of us away who truly seek His salvation.