A father and mother listened to Jesus regarding their child, removed the negative tumult from their home and allowed Jesus in. Then a beautiful miracle took place..
Please share your thoughts, your own application or questions in the comments at the end.
COMMAND 59 “Leave…”
Mt 9:24
RECIPIENT:
flute-players and a crowd in noisy disorder
CONTEXT: My notes about the context of this command
Mt 9:18-19; 23 While He was saying these things to them, a {synagogue} official came and bowed down before Him, and said, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live.” 19Jesus got up and {began} to follow him, and {so did} His disciples.
23When Jesus came into the official’s house, and saw the flute-players and the crowd in noisy disorder, 24 He said…
The Bible’s books of Mark and Luke also describe this account but without this specific command. Use these shortcuts if you want to read these other accounts: shortcut links to Mark’s and Luke’s accounts:
COMMAND FULL TEXT AND IMMEDIATE RESULT:
Mt 9:24 “Leave; for the girl has not died, but is asleep.”
RESULT:
Mt 9:24b- 26 And they {began} laughing at Him. 25But when the crowd had been sent out, He entered and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. 26This news spread throughout all that land.
In both Mark’s and Luke’s accounts Jesus told the astounded parents to give their daughter something to eat. He also told them not to tell anyone about the miracle He had just performed.
DEFINITIONS: Key Greek Words – Removes ambiguity of the Bible text
(word: Strong’s # Greek pronunciation — definition)
leave: G402 ἀναχωρεìω an-akh-ō-reh’-ō — to retire
not: G3756 οὐ oo — a primary word; the absolutely negative
dead: G599 ἀποθνηìσκω ap-oth-nace’-kō — to literally or figuratively die off
asleep: G2518 καθευìδω kath-yoo’-dō — to lie down to rest, implying literal or figurative sleep
MY COMMENTS AND NOTES:
Whether the girl was alive or dead seems uncertain. Jesus said that she was asleep. He could have meant literally or figuratively. Since He was about to resurrect the girl, Jesus may have referred to her condition figuratively as sleep. She could also have been in a coma in which case she would have been literally asleep. Luke mentions that the girl’s spirit returned to her but the Greek word that was used for spirit can mean literally breath or figuratively spirit. The miracle of her healing is undiminished whether the girl was literally dead or in a coma because of its instantaneous result when Jesus held her hand and spoke to her.
This father and mother listened to Jesus regarding their child, removed the negative tumult from their home and allowed Jesus in. Their faith enabled a beautiful miracle to take place in their lives.
Curious Observation
In Mark’s and Luke’s accounts Jesus specifically instructed the parents to give the girl something to eat. I wonder why this detail. Jesus also told the parents not to tell anyone about what He had done. I also wonder why He gave this instruction to them. The crowd that was put out surely told everyone they knew what Jesus had done.
MY PERSONAL APPLICATION: I encourage you to make your own application
In the confusion of life there are times when I must dismiss the naysayers and remove the noisy negative influences from my life and in the quietness allow in the positive influences in order to restore health and peace.
For me this would be turning off the TV, unplugging social media and cancelling appointments with negative people or activities. Ideally, I would like to go somewhere to keep from being distracted by household chores and projects. This would be a time for reading a helpful book, taking in some nature, taking a nap or going to bed early. Whether it is a few hours or a few days, these are times to rejuvenate the body, mind and spirit. I hardly ever do this kind of thing and I need it!
Below, please share your comments , question or perhaps your own application for this command
Mark’s Account
Mk 5:22-24, 35-43 One of the synagogue officials named Jairus *came up, and on seeing Him, *fell at His feet 23and *implored Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death; {please} come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live.” 24And He went off with him; and a large crowd was following Him and pressing in on Him…
35 While He was still speaking, they *came from the {house of} the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the Teacher anymore?” 36But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, *said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid {any} {longer,} only believe.” 37And He allowed no one to accompany Him, except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38They *came to the house of the synagogue official; and He *saw a commotion, and {people} loudly weeping and wailing. 39And entering in, He *said to them, “Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is asleep.” 40They {began} laughing at Him. But putting them all out, He *took along the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and *entered {the room} where the child was. 41Taking the child by the hand, He *said to her, “Talitha kum!” (which translated means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42Immediately the girl got up and {began} to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astounded. 43 And He gave them strict orders that no one should know about this, and He said that {something} should be given her to eat.
Luke’s Account
Lk 8:41-42; 49-56 And there came a man named Jairus, and he was an official of the synagogue; and he fell at Jesus’ feet, and {began} to implore Him to come to his house; 42for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying. But as He went, the crowds were pressing against Him…
49While He was still speaking, someone *came from {the house of} the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; do not trouble the Teacher anymore.” 50But when Jesus heard {this,} He answered him, “Do not be afraid {any longer;} only believe, and she will be made well.” 51When He came to the house, He did not allow anyone to enter with Him, except Peter and John and James, and the girl’s father and mother. 52Now they were all weeping and lamenting for her; but He said, “Stop weeping, for she has not died, but is asleep.” 53And they {began} laughing at Him, knowing that she had died. 54He, however, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Child, arise!” 55And her spirit returned, and she got up immediately; and He gave orders for {something} to be given her to eat. 56Her parents were amazed; but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened.
© 2018 Christopher Carlson
It seems in most cases sleep is referring to death during Jesus Ministry even in the case of Lazarus. “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” I wonder why he wanted to crowd to leave as that was not always the case when Jesus performed a miracle. I think your application is spot on, thanks Christopher.
In the confusion of life there are times when I must dismiss the naysayers and remove the noisy negative influences from my life and in the quietness allow in the positive influences in order to restore health and peace.
That is true. And I’ve always been puzzled by it! I appreciate Jesus actually telling His disciples that Lazarus is dead.