King James Version

What Does Matthew 9:18 Mean?

Matthew 9:18 in the King James Version says “While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is ev...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.”

Matthew 9:18 · King James Version


Context

16

No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. new: or, raw, or, unwrought

17

Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved. bottles: or, sacks of skin, or, leather

18

While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

19

And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.

20

And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:


Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
A synagogue ruler approaches Jesus: 'My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live' (η θυγατηρ μου αρτι ετελευτησεν αλλα ελθων επιθες την χειρα σου επ αυτην και ζησεται). Mark and Luke identify him as Jairus and clarify she was dying when he left, dead when they arrived. Matthew's compressed account emphasizes the ruler's extraordinary faith: believing Jesus can raise the dead. 'Lay thy hand upon her' shows faith in Jesus' healing touch. 'She shall live' (ζησεται, future tense) expresses confident expectation of resurrection. This ruler risks reputation by publicly approaching Jesus, demonstrating that desperation drives people past social barriers to Jesus. His faith acknowledges Jesus' authority over death itself, anticipating Jesus' ultimate resurrection victory.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Synagogue rulers (αρχισυναγωγος) were leading laymen responsible for synagogue administration, worship order, and selecting readers. They held significant community status and authority. For a synagogue ruler to approach Jesus publicly demonstrated either genuine desperation or remarkable faith (or both). Touching the dead made one ceremonially unclean (Numbers 19:11-13), yet Jesus regularly broke purity barriers to heal. Jewish theology affirmed resurrection at the end of history (Daniel 12:2) but individual resurrections were rare (1 Kings 17, 2 Kings 4). Jairus's faith exceeds conventional hope, believing Jesus can raise his daughter now.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Jairus's faith despite his daughter's death teach about trusting Jesus in impossible circumstances?
  2. How does desperation sometimes drive people to Jesus when comfort keeps them distant?
  3. What does Jesus' willingness to raise the dead reveal about His authority and compassion?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
Ταῦτα1 of 27

“these things”

G5023

these things

αὐτήν,2 of 27

“her”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

λαλοῦντος3 of 27

“While he spake”

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

αὐτήν,4 of 27

“her”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἰδού,5 of 27

“behold”

G2400

used as imperative lo!

ἄρχων6 of 27

“a certain ruler”

G758

a first (in rank or power)

εἷς7 of 27
G1520

one

ἐλθὼν8 of 27

“come”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

προσεκύνει9 of 27

“and worshipped”

G4352

to fawn or crouch to, i.e., (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore)

αὐτήν,10 of 27

“her”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

λέγων11 of 27

“saying”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

ὅτι12 of 27
G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

Ἡ13 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θυγάτηρ14 of 27

“daughter”

G2364

a female child, or (by hebraism) descendant (or inhabitant)

μου15 of 27

“My”

G3450

of me

ἄρτι16 of 27

“is even now”

G737

just now

ἐτελεύτησεν·17 of 27

“dead”

G5053

to finish life (by implication, of g0979), i.e., expire (demise)

ἀλλὰ18 of 27

“but”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ἐλθὼν19 of 27

“come”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

ἐπίθες20 of 27

“and lay”

G2007

to impose (in a friendly or hostile sense)

τὴν21 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χεῖρά22 of 27

“hand”

G5495

the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)

σου23 of 27

“thy”

G4675

of thee, thy

ἐπ'24 of 27

“upon”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

αὐτήν,25 of 27

“her”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ26 of 27

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ζήσεται27 of 27

“she shall live”

G2198

to live (literally or figuratively)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 9:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 9:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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