Today's reading tells us about the raising of the daughter of a synagogue official named Jairus (the Gospel text calls this man a “ruler of the synagogue”). The official's role in the synagogue in those days, as today, resembled that of a churchwarden in churches where such a position exists: this person...
Today's reading tells us about the raising of the daughter of a synagogue official named Jairus (the Gospel text calls this man a “ruler of the synagogue”). The official's role in the synagogue in those days, as today, resembled that of a churchwarden in churches where such a position exists. This person did not replace the rabbi, who remained the head of the synagogue as a religious community, but he was responsible for all its administrative and practical affairs. Such an office naturally carried great responsibility, and the person who held it enjoyed universal respect.
Meanwhile, on the way to Jairus' house, the Savior encounters a sick woman suffering from a flow of blood. The description we see in the Gospel does not allow us to determine exactly what illness she had, but it is clear that no physician had been able to help her in any way (vv. 25–26). She resolves to try one last means and, with faith and hope for healing, touches Jesus' garment (vv. 27–28).
In those days, such a bold step could well have provoked the Teacher's anger. Among the Jews, a person suffering from a flow of blood was considered unclean and could not participate fully in religious life, for example in sacrifices. To be cleansed, a person first had to wait until the bleeding stopped, which meant recovery had begun, and then perform a special purifying washing with water. The Old Testament, for example the Book of Leviticus, describes in detail how this was to be done. Yet this woman's bleeding had not stopped, and by touching Him she could, as she herself apparently believed, render Him unclean as well, since contact with someone or something unclean was thought to defile the person who touched it.
This is probably why she became very frightened when Jesus began looking around for the one who had touched Him. Nevertheless, she thought it best to approach the Teacher and confess everything, even at the risk of provoking His anger (vv. 32–33). But the Lord's answer was evidently not condemning; on the contrary, it was entirely approving (v. 34). While all this was happening, Jairus' daughter died (v. 35; apparently her father sought help only when the illness was already far advanced, perhaps after every other means had been tried). But this does not stop Jesus, for He is able not only to heal but also to raise the dead (vv. 41–42).
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2:6 And they who undoubtedly were something - Above all others. What they were - How eminent soever. It is no difference to me - So that I should alter either my doctrine or my practice. God accepteth no man's person - For any eminence in gifts or outward prerogatives. In that conference added nothing to me - Neither as to doctrine nor mission.
2:7 But when they saw - By the effects which I laid before them, Galati 2:8; Atti 15:12. That I was intrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision - That is, with the charge of preaching it to the uncircumcised heathens.
2:8 For he that wrought effectually in Peter for the apostleship of the circumcision - To qualify him for, and support him in, the discharge of that office to the Jews.Wrought likewise effectually in and by me - For and in the discharge of my office toward the gentiles.
2:9 And when James - Probably named first because he was bishop of the church in Jerusalem. And Cephas - Speaking of him at Jerusalem he calls him by his Hebrewname. And John - Hence it appears that he also was at the council, though he is not particularly named in the Acts.Who undoubtedly were pillars - The principal supporters and defenders of the gospel. Knew - After they had heard the account I gave them. The grace - Of apostleship. Which was given me, they - In the name of all. Gave to me and Barnabas - My fellow - labourer. The right hands of fellowship - They gaveus their hands in token of receiving us as their fellow - labourers, mutually agreeing that we - I and those in union with me. Should go to the gentiles - Chiefly. And they - With those that were in union with them, chiefly to the circumcision - The Jews.
2:10 Of the poor - The poor Christians in Judea, who had lost all they had for Christ's sake.