Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 9:18-19

"While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. And Jesus arose, and followed him, and [so did] his disciples." — Matthew 9:18-19 (ASV)

Our Lord had better work to do than to be talking about meats and drinks, feastings and fastings. He is soon clear of that debate. The battle of life and death was raging, and He was needed in the fray.

Sorrow comes even to the families of the excellent of the earth. A ruler of the synagogue and a believer in Jesus—his daughter is afflicted with such sickness that she is at death’s door and is probably by this time actually dead. But the father has a grand faith. Even if she is dead, Jesus can restore her with a touch. Oh, that He would only come! He worships the Lord and pleads with Him, “Come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.” Have we such faith as this? After centuries of manifestation, is Jesus as well trusted as in the days of His flesh? Have we not those among us who have not yet learned the happy blend which we see in the ruler’s conduct? He came to Jesus, he worshipped Him, he prayed to Him, he trusted in Him.

Our King, in whom is vested the power of life and death, yields at once to the petition of faith and sets out for the ruler’s house. The Lord follows believers, for believers follow their Lord. Such is the order of verse 19. Jesus does as we pray, and we follow as He leads. The Preacher steps down from His pulpit and becomes a visiting Surgeon, taking His rounds. From discussing Church questions, our great Rabbi very readily turns aside to go and see a sick, or rather, a dead girl. He is more at home in doing good than in anything else.