Matthew Henry Commentary Matthew 9:18-26

"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. And behold, a woman, who had an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: for she said within herself, If I do but touch his garment, I shall be made whole. But Jesus turning and seeing her said, Daughter, be of good cheer; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. And when Jesus came into the ruler`s house, and saw the flute-players, and the crowd making a tumult, he said, Give place: for the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when the crowd was put forth, he entered in, and took her by the hand; and the damsel arose. And the fame hereof went forth into all that land." — Matthew 9:18-26 (ASV)

The death of our relatives should drive us to Christ, who is our life. And it is a high honor for the greatest rulers to serve the Lord Jesus; and those who would receive mercy from Christ must honor him. The variety of methods Christ took in working his miracles was perhaps because of the different mental and emotional states that characterized those who came to him, which He who searches the heart knew perfectly. A poor woman applied herself to Christ and received mercy from him along the way.

If we merely touch, as it were, the hem of Christ's garment by living faith, our worst evils will be healed; there is no other real cure, nor do we need to fear his knowing things that are a grief and burden to us, but which we would not tell to any earthly friend. When Christ entered the ruler's house, he said, Give place. Sometimes, when the sorrow of the world prevails, it is difficult for Christ and his comforts to enter.

The ruler's daughter was really dead, but not so to Christ. The death of the righteous is especially to be regarded as only a sleep. The words and works of Christ may not at first be understood, yet they are not, for that reason, to be despised. The people were put out. Scorners who laugh at what they do not understand are not proper witnesses of the wonderful works of Christ. Dead souls are not raised to spiritual life unless Christ takes them by the hand: it is done in the day of his power.

If this single instance of Christ's raising one newly dead so increased his fame, what will be his glory when all that are in their graves shall hear his voice, and come forth; those that have done good to the resurrection of life, and those that have done evil to the resurrection of damnation!