BIBLE STUDY LESSON 08

SERIES R --- THE GOOD SHEPHERD

TURNING TO YESHUA

THE TOUCH OF HEALING

From Mark 5:21 -43

When Yeshua returned to Capernaum, a large crowd met Him at the shore. Jairus, a leader in the synagogue at Capernaum, was there, too. When he saw Yeshua, he knelt down at His feet and begged Him for help. [My little daughter is dying,] said Jairus. [Please come and touch her so that she will get well.] Yeshua went with Jairus toward his home. The people all followed, too, crowding one another to be near Yeshua. In the crowd that day was a woman who had been afflicted with a bleeding problem for twelve years. She had gone from one doctor to another, suffering greatly, and spending all that she had to get well. But instead of getting better, she had become worse. The woman had heard about Yeshua’ miracles and had come here to touch Him. Now she was right behind Him! [If only I can touch His clothing, I will get well,] she thought. With that, she reached out and touched His cloak. Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she knew that she was well. But Yeshua knew that power had gone out from Him. Turning to the crowd, He asked, [Who touched Me?] The disciples were surprised to hear Yeshua ask that. [Look at this crowd pushing toward You on every side,] they said. [Why do You ask if someone touched You?] But Yeshua kept on looking about to see who had done it. The woman who had been healed was trembling with fear, but she realized what had happened, so she came to Yeshua and fell down before Him and told Him the truth. [Daughter, your faith healed you,] said Yeshua. [Go in peace, for you are free from your sickness.] While Yeshua was talking with the woman, some messengers came running from Jairus’ home. [Your daughter is dead,] they told Jairus. [Why bother Yeshua anymore?] But Yeshua paid no attention to the messengers. [Don’t be afraid,] He told Jairus. [Trust Me!] Then Yeshua left immediately for Jairus’ home. He would not let anyone go with Him except Peter, James, John, and Jairus. When He reached the house, He found it in a great commotion, with mourners crying and wailing loudly. [Why are you making such a commotion?] Yeshua asked these people. [The little girl isn’t dead. She is merely sleeping.] The people started making fun of Yeshua so He sent them out of the house. Then He went with Jairus and his wife and His three disciples to the room where the girl was lying. Yeshua took the little girl’s hand in His and spoke to her. [Get up, little girl!] He said. At once, this twelve-year-old girl got up and began walking and jumping about the room. Her parents were so absolutely amazed that they could hardly control themselves. Yeshua gave them strict orders not to tell people what had happened. Then He told the parents to give the girl something to eat.

COMMENTARY

JAIRUS’ FAMILY

Jairus was a ruler, or elder, of the synagogue at Capernaum, Yeshua’ hometown at this time, so he and his family were closely associated with its work. To understand Jairus and his family, it is necessary to understand the synagogue and its work. Some say the synagogue began under Moses. However, it was not popular until the time of the exile. Away from their homeland, the Jews longed for some place to worship. The temple in Jerusalem was destroyed and its ruins were far away. The synagogue served as a place to hear the Word of YHVH read, listen to devout men speak, and to pray together. By the time of Yeshua, there was a synagogue in almost every large town in Israel. Some towns had more than one. Synagogues had now become houses of instruction, where the Law was taught to all people. Yeshua attended the synagogue at Nazareth and preached there while Nazareth was His home. Later, when He moved to Capernaum, He attended its synagogue and preached there as well.

JAIRUS

Most of the things known about Jairus are known about his work as synagogue ruler. Almost nothing is known about the man himself. As a synagogue ruler, he was an important man in Capernaum. He was in charge of the building and made sure that it was kept clean and in good repair. Jairus chose people for the synagogue service, inviting them to preach, read from the Scriptures, or lead the prayers. Because of the importance of his job, Jairus sat with other elders in a special seat reserved for them.

JAIRUS’ WIFE

As a wife of an elder and synagogue ruler, Jairus’ wife was prominent in Capernaum, both socially and spiritually. She was well-to-do, for she had servants. Since Capernaum was Yeshua’ hometown at this time, Jairus and his wife knew Yeshua well. Yeshua had preached in the synagogue there, so Jairus would have been the person to invite Him.

JAIRUS’ DAUGHTER

At this time, Jairus’ daughter was twelve, old enough to be married, according to Jewish Law. At twelve years and one day, she was considered an adult. Having grown up in the home of a synagogue ruler, she had been instructed in the home. Although she had not gone to classes with the boys who studied in the synagogue school, she had learned the Law from her parents. Every Shabbat she sat with her mother in the women’s section of the synagogue. In addition to her religious instruction, Jairus’ daughter had been trained to be a wife and mother. Since earliest childhood, she had learned from her mother how to grind grain, spin thread, and weave it into cloth.