Jesus Befriends the President of the Synagogue and a Diseased Woman
On his return, Jesus was welcomed by the people; for every one was looking out for him. And a man named Jaeirus, who was a President of the Synagogue, came to Jesus, and threw himself at Jesus’ feet, with entreaties that he would come to his house, because his only daughter, who was about twelve years old, was dying.
As Jesus was going, the people were pressing closely round him. And a woman, who had suffered from hemorrhage for twelve years, and whom no one could cure, came up behind and touched the tassel of his cloak. Instantly the hemorrhage ceased.
“Who was it that touched me?” Jesus asked; and, while every one was denying having done so, Peter exclaimed:
“Why, Sir, the people are crowding round you and pressing upon you!”
“Somebody touched me,” said Jesus; “for I felt that power had gone out from me.”
Then the woman, when she saw that she was discovered, came forward trembling, and threw herself down before him; and, in presence of all the people, she told him her reason for touching him, and that she had been cured instantly.
“Daughter,” he said, “your faith has delivered you. Go, and peace be with you.”
Before he had finished speaking, some one came from the house of the President of the Synagogue and said:
“Your daughter is dead! Do not trouble the Teacher further.”
But Jesus, hearing this, spoke to the President:
“Do not be afraid; only have faith, and she shall yet be delivered.”
When he reached the house, he did not allow any one to go in with him, except Peter, John, and James, and the child’s father and mother. And every one was weeping and mourning for her.
“Do not weep,” Jesus said, “she is not dead; she is asleep.”
They began to laugh at him, for they knew that she was dead. But, taking her by the hand, Jesus said in a loud voice:
“Child, rise!”
The child’s spirit returned to her, and she instantly stood up; and Jesus ordered them to give her something to eat. Her parents were amazed, but Jesus impressed on them that they were not to tell any one what had happened.
—Luke.