Learn the Story of Jesus
Season 4: Miracles, Opposition, and Growing Faith
Jairus’ Daughter and the Woman Who Believed: Two lives, two desperate situations, one Savior who responds to faith.
4.3 — Jairus’ Daughter and the Woman Who Believed
Faith in the Midst of Fear
As Jesus continued traveling through Galilee, people came to Him with every kind of need.
Some sought healing.
Some sought hope.
Some sought answers.
One day, two very different stories became intertwined.
A respected synagogue leader named Jairus desperately needed help for his dying daughter.
At the same time, a woman who had suffered from a serious illness for many years quietly reached out to Jesus in faith.
One story involved a prominent leader.
The other involved a woman who had been largely overlooked.
One involved a twelve-year-old girl.
The other involved a woman who had suffered for twelve years.
Both stories reveal the same truth:
Faith places its hope in Jesus.
This lesson shows Jesus’ compassion, authority, and power over sickness, suffering, and even death itself.
Scripture References
Matthew 9:18–26
Mark 5:21–43
Luke 8:40–56
Isaiah 35:5–6
Psalm 34:18
The Story
Jairus was a leader in the local synagogue.
When his young daughter became seriously ill, he came to Jesus and pleaded for help.
Jesus agreed to go with him.
As they traveled through a large crowd, something unexpected happened.
A woman who had suffered from continual bleeding for twelve years approached Jesus from behind.
She believed that if she could simply touch His garment, she would be healed.
For years she had suffered physically, emotionally, financially, and socially.
She quietly reached out and touched the edge of His cloak.
Immediately she was healed.
Jesus stopped and asked who had touched Him.
The woman came forward and told her story.
Rather than rebuking her, Jesus said:
“Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
While Jesus was speaking, messengers arrived with devastating news.
airus’ daughter had died.
The situation appeared hopeless.
But Jesus told Jairus:
“Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.”
When Jesus arrived at the house, mourners were already gathered.
He entered the room where the girl lay.
Taking her by the hand, He said:
“Little girl, arise.”
Immediately she stood up.
The child was alive.
The crowd was amazed.
The miracle revealed that Jesus possessed authority not only over sickness but also over death.
Understanding the Story
Why Are These Two Stories Connected?
The Gospel writers intentionally place these events together.
Both involve faith.
Both involve suffering.
Both involve restoration.
The stories teach that Jesus cares for people regardless of social status, background, age, or circumstances.
Why Did Jairus Come to Jesus?
Jairus was a synagogue leader, a respected position within the Jewish community.
Despite his status, he recognized his need and came humbly to Jesus.
Why Did the Woman Approach Secretly?
The woman likely feared embarrassment and rejection.
Her condition had isolated her from many normal activities and relationships.
She hoped to be healed without attracting attention.
Why Is Raising the Girl Important?
The miracle demonstrates Jesus’ authority over death.
What appeared impossible was not beyond God’s power.
Understanding Jesus
What Was a Synagogue?
A synagogue was a local place of worship, prayer, and Scripture teaching. Unlike the Temple in Jerusalem, synagogues existed in towns and villages throughout Israel. Jairus helped oversee the activities of his synagogue.
The Woman’s Condition
Why Blood Was Important in Jewish Life
In the Old Testament, blood was closely connected to life.
Leviticus 17:11 says:
“For the life of the flesh is in the blood…”
Because blood represented life, God gave special instructions concerning sacrifices, worship, and ceremonial cleanliness.
Blood played an important role in the sacrificial system and in understanding forgiveness, atonement, and covenant relationships with God.
These themes ultimately point forward to Jesus and His sacrificial death on the cross.
Ceremonial Uncleanness and Daily Life
According to the Law of Moses, certain conditions could make a person ceremonially unclean for a period of time.
This did not necessarily mean the person had sinned.
Instead, it affected participation in worship and certain community activities until purification requirements were completed.
Because the woman suffered from continual bleeding for twelve years, her condition created ongoing ceremonial uncleanness.
As a result, she likely experienced isolation from normal worship activities and many social relationships.
Her suffering involved far more than a medical problem.
It affected nearly every part of her life.
Why This Miracle Was So Significant
When the woman touched Jesus, many people would have expected her uncleanness to affect Him.
Instead, the opposite happened.
Rather than becoming unclean, Jesus brought healing and restoration to her.
The miracle demonstrated Jesus’ authority over sickness, impurity, and brokenness.
It also revealed God’s compassion for people who felt excluded, forgotten, or unworthy.
Why Touch Jesus’ Garment?
Many people in the ancient world believed respected teachers and holy men carried special authority. The woman’s faith was not in the fabric itself but in Jesus.
Mourning Customs
Professional mourners were sometimes hired to help families grieve. By the time Jesus arrived, preparations for mourning had already begun, emphasizing that the girl was truly dead.
Old Testament Connections
The prophets spoke of a coming age when God would bring healing, restoration, and life.
Isaiah described a time when the blind would see, the deaf would hear, and the broken would be restored.
The raising of Jairus’ daughter also recalls Old Testament accounts where Elijah and Elisha raised children from death.
Jesus demonstrated the same divine power, while revealing an even greater authority.
Leviticus 15 and the Woman’s Condition
Leviticus 15 contains instructions concerning bodily discharges and ceremonial cleanliness.
The woman’s condition would have placed her under these regulations for many years.
Understanding this background helps readers appreciate the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual burden she carried before meeting Jesus.
Missing Context Check
Was the Woman Healed Because of Magic?
No.
The healing did not come from the garment itself.
Jesus emphasized the woman’s faith and trust in Him.
The power came from God.
Why Did Jesus Stop for the Woman?
From a human perspective, Jairus’ daughter needed immediate attention.
Yet Jesus paused to care for the woman.
The story reminds readers that Jesus sees every individual and is never too busy to show compassion.
Was the Girl Really Dead?
The Gospel accounts clearly present her as dead.
The mourners understood the situation.
The miracle demonstrated Jesus’ authority over death.
A Deeper Look: Twelve Years
An interesting connection exists between these stories.
The woman had suffered for twelve years.
Jairus’ daughter was twelve years old.
One life had been marked by twelve years of suffering.
Another life had experienced twelve years of growth before facing death.
Jesus brought healing and restoration to both.
The connection reminds readers that Jesus cares for every stage of life and every kind of need.
Key Themes
Faith Trusts Jesus
Both Jairus and the woman placed their hope in Jesus.
Jesus Sees Individuals
He cared for a respected leader and an overlooked woman.
Jesus Brings Healing
His compassion extends to every area of human suffering.
Jesus Has Authority Over Death
The raising of Jairus’ daughter reveals His power over life’s greatest enemy.
Why This Lesson Matters
People today still face illness, grief, fear, disappointment, and uncertainty.
This story reminds believers that Jesus cares deeply about human suffering.
The lesson also teaches that faith continues trusting even when circumstances seem hopeless.
God’s timing may not always match human expectations, but His compassion and power remain constant.
Connecting to Jesus
This miracle reveals Jesus as:
Healer.
Compassionate Savior.
Messiah.
Giver of Life.
Christians believe Jesus brings hope where others see despair and life where others see only loss.
The raising of Jairus’ daughter points forward to the greater promise of resurrection and eternal life.
Living the Message
This week:
Pray about an area where you need greater faith.
Remember times when God has been faithful in the past.
Encourage someone who may be facing illness, grief, or uncertainty.
Trust Jesus even when answers seem delayed.
Reflect on the compassion He showed to both Jairus and the woman.
Reflection Questions
Why did Jairus come to Jesus?
Possible answers:
He believed Jesus could help his daughter.
Why did the woman touch Jesus’ garment?
Possible answers:
She trusted that Jesus had the power to heal her.
What do these stories teach about faith?
Possible answers:
Faith places hope and trust in Jesus even during difficult circumstances.
Why is the raising of Jairus’ daughter significant?
Possible answers:
It demonstrates Jesus’ authority over death.
What do these miracles reveal about Jesus?
Possible answers:
He is compassionate, powerful, and concerned about every individual.
GROW Framework
Grounded in Scripture
Jesus brought healing, restoration, and life to people who trusted Him.
Reasons We Believe
These miracles reveal Jesus’ compassion, authority, and power over sickness and death.
Obedience in Action
Trust God with situations that seem beyond your control.
Walk It Out
Spend time this week praying for someone who needs healing, hope, or encouragement.
Related Pages
Understanding Jesus: Cultural Insights
Prayer and Worship Preparation
Feasts, Festivals, Seasons, and the Jewish Calendar
Feasts and Festivals in the Time of Jesus
Continue Learning
Miracles, Opposition, and Growing Faith:4.4:Feeding the Five Thousand
Miracles, Opposition, and Growing Faith: 4.2:The Demoniac and Freedom
Season 4 — Miracles, Opposition, and Growing Faith
A desperate father believed.
A suffering woman believed.
And both discovered that faith placed in Jesus is never misplaced.
Learn more about Christian discipleship and spiritual growth through worship, study, prayer, service, and daily faith at PGUM.org.
