King James Version

What Does Matthew 9:19 Mean?

Matthew 9:19 in the King James Version says “And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Matthew 9:19 · KJV

Context

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:

21

For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus' response to Jairus is simple obedience: 'Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples' (εγερθεις ο Ιησους ηκολουθει αυτω και οι μαθηται αυτου). No hesitation, no conditions, no delay—just immediate response to desperate need. 'Arose' (εγερθεις) suggests Jesus was seated, perhaps teaching or eating. He interrupts His current activity to address urgent human suffering. This models Jesus' accessibility and compassion. Despite growing fame and increasing demands, Jesus responds personally to individual crisis. The disciples 'followed him,' learning compassion through observation. This scene demonstrates incarnational ministry: Jesus doesn't send proxy or offer distant comfort but personally goes to the place of death and grief. His willingness to enter homes, touch the unclean, and face death directly reveals God's intimate involvement in human suffering.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jewish rabbis typically maintained formal distance from followers and petitioners. Students came to rabbis; rabbis didn't typically make house calls, especially to unclean situations. Jesus' pattern of going to people—entering homes, touching lepers, visiting tax collectors—was countercultural. His willingness to enter a house with a corpse (rendering Him ceremonially unclean) showed that compassion trumped ceremonial purity. Early Christian ministry continued this incarnational pattern: going to people rather than waiting for them to come to proper religious spaces.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' immediate response to Jairus model compassionate ministry to desperate people?
  2. What does Jesus' willingness to interrupt His agenda teach about kingdom priorities?
  3. How can we develop Jesus' accessibility and responsiveness to human need?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 10 words
καὶ1 of 10

“And”

G2532

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

ἐγερθεὶς2 of 10

“arose”

G1453

to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from

ὁ3 of 10
G3588

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

Ἰησοῦς4 of 10

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

ἠκολούθησεν5 of 10

“and followed”

G190

properly, to be in the same way with, i.e., to accompany (specially, as a disciple)

αὐτοῦ6 of 10

“so did his”

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

καὶ7 of 10

“And”

G2532

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

οἱ8 of 10
G3588

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

μαθηταὶ9 of 10

“disciples”

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

αὐτοῦ10 of 10

“so did his”

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

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 9:19 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 9:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 10:38John 4:34Matthew 8:7Galatians 6:9-10

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