43. And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,
44. Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.
45. And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
46. And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.
47. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.
48. And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.
49. While he yet spake, there cometh 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.
(Memorize verses 48–50.)
Golden Text: “Thy faith hath made thee whole.” Luke 8:48.
NOTE.—Parallel accounts of the incidents noted in the lesson chapter are Matt. 8:18–34; 9:18–26; 12:46–50; 13:1–23; Mark 3:31–35; 4:1–41; 5:1–43. To fulfill the scheme of the lesson, the whole of Luke 8 should be studied. Note in each division of the chapter the points that illustrate encouragement of faith: The preaching and traveling of Jesus, accompanied by certain women who had been led to believe on him; the parable of the sower, with the possibilities attending the seed that fell on good ground; the visit of Jesus’ mother and brethren, his lesson as to who are in the broader14sense his brethren and near relatives, and consequent encouragement for all who will to assume that near relationship; the stilling of the storm on the sea, which teaches a powerful lesson of faith to troubled souls; healing of the demoniac, and its various effects. Each of these incidents, if carefully studied, will yield rare treasures in the line indicated by the lesson heading. The questions on the lesson should properly begin with verse 41, which introduces the special study. Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, beseeches Jesus to heal his daughter, who lies at the point of death. On the way to the ruler’s house, he is interrupted, and here the lesson text begins. The place was Capernaum, and the time probably towards the close of Jesus’ second year of ministry.
Suggestive Questions
(1) On what mission was Jesus engaged when interrupted by the afflicted woman? Verses 41, 42. (2) Describe the various afflictions of this woman. Verse 43. Note . (3) What did she do? Verse 44. Note . (4) How was her faith answered? Same verse. (5) What did Jesus say? Verse 45. (6) What reply did he receive? Same verse. Note . (7) What answer did Jesus make? Verse 46. Note . (8) What did the woman then do? Verse 47. (9) How did Jesus address her? Verse 48. (10) At this point, what message did one bear to the ruler? Verse 49. (11) What did Jesus reply to this announcement? Verse 50. Note . (12) What was done when they came to the house? Verse 51. Note . (13) What did Jesus say to the mourners? Verse 52. Note . (14) How did they regard his words? Verse 53. (15) What did Jesus then do? Verse 54. (16) What result followed his command? Verse 55. Note . (17) How were the parents of the girl affected? Verse 56.
Notes
Which had spent all her living.—All of her property had gone to physicians. All these accounts mention the length of time, emphasizing the fact that her case seemed hopeless. Mark states that the physicians had only made her worse.
Came behind him.—Mark says she “came in the press behind.” This poor woman had heard of Jesus and his wonderful cures, and, realizing that her case was hopeless, so far as worldly physicians could help, resolved to go to him for aid. But the multitude thronged him, and she could approach him only by pressing as far as she could through the crowding people. One touch only would suffice, and into that touch was concentrated all her hope, all of her faith, and that faith was answered immediately.
Press thee.—The original word signifies to “squeeze out, as wine from grapes; hence, press on all sides, crush.”
Somebody hath touched me.—This statement, in the midst of the noisy crowd that jostled him on all sides, seemed out of place to Peter and the rest. But the Lord distinguished the touch of faith from the ordinary careless touch. Faith took from him virtue, or power. The question was not asked for information. The Saviour well knew all the circumstances of the case, but such an extraordinary manifestation of faith was worthy of comment. Then follows the interesting account of verses 47 and 48. In the hearing of the assembled multitudes the simple yet wonderful story was told, all redounding to the glory of God. No rebuke met her because of her act, but, “Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.” The lesson is a precious one to every soul. Wherever one may be,—in the crush upon the street, or in the midst of crowding cares,—faith may ever tap the fountain of God’s power, and healing will flow forth.
Fear not, believe only.—The faith of Jairus appears to have been not so strong, or at least as comprehensive, as that of the centurion. In that case, the word only was invoked; here Jesus’ presence was requested. The news now brought would demand all his faith. Knowing, as we do, the power of Jesus, we need not wonder at the delay attendant upon the healing of the woman. But the Saviour knew also what severe trial was before Jairus, who it appears had not yet heard of the raising to life of the widow’s son at Nain. Hence the publicity given to the miracle already wrought by simple faith. It was as though Jesus had said to the sorrowing father, Fear not; you have seen how that my power has made whole this woman, whose disease was incurable; believe only that the same power is for you, and your daughter shall be made whole also. It was an assurance to Jairus. May it not be an assurance equally as efficacious to establish the faith of every one assailed by sin,—dead in sin? The same power heals both body and soul.
Suffered no man to go in.—The power of God is manifested in answer to faith. In a certain locality Jesus did not many mighty works, because of the unbelief of the people. Here the crowd scoffed. Their presence could do no good, and might cause a wavering on the part of the parents.
She is not dead, but sleepeth.—Death is often likened to sleep. So Christ said of Lazarus, “Lazarus sleepeth.” See also Job 14:12; Dan. 12:2, etc. In the term is the comforting implication of the resurrection. As those who sleep the natural sleep awake in the morning, so shall the dead awake in the morn of the resurrection.
Her spirit came again.—That is, the breath that God gave,—her life,—which at death returned to his keeping. “In whose hand is the soul [margin, ‘life’] of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.” Job 12:10. “He giveth to all life, and breath.” Acts 17:25. See Gen. 2:8; Job 27:3; Ps. 146:3, 4; 1 Thess. 4:16–18, etc.
