What does Matthew 9:18 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 9:18 depicts a scene where Jesus is approached by a ruler who pays Him respect by worshipping and pleads for His help for his deceased daughter.

The ruler expresses faith in Jesus' power to restore life with just a touch, showing a belief that transcends the finality of death.

The verse captures a moment of deep desperation and profound faith, illustrating the ruler's conviction that Jesus possesses the divine ability not only to heal the sick but also to raise the dead.

Historical Context

The verse takes place within the context of Jesus' ministry in the region of Galilee. During this period, Jesus was gaining a reputation as a healer and miracle worker.

The term "ruler" likely refers to a synagogue official, a person of considerable standing within the Jewish community.

In ancient Jewish culture, death was a ceremonially impure state, and contacting a dead body made one unclean. The ruler's request indicates that his faith overcame any cultural or religious concerns about purity or the traditional acceptance of death as irreversible.

Theological Insights

The request by the ruler provides insight into the recognition of Jesus' authority over life and death. Within Christian theology, it is an acknowledgment of Jesus’ divine power.

This verse is often discussed in the context of faith and the power of Jesus' miracles.

From a conservative evangelical perspective, this is a literal event showcasing Jesus' divinity. A liberal theological approach might understand the story symbolically or metaphorically, focusing on the themes of hope and restoration that Jesus' ministry represented to the marginalized.

Practical Applications

The interactions in Matthew 9:18 encourage individuals to approach God with humility and faith, even in seemingly hopeless situations.

It teaches the importance of reverence and demonstrates that faith involves trusting in God's power, even beyond the physical circumstances.

This passage can inspire believers to seek spiritual healing and help from God, no matter how dire the situation may seem.

Cross-References

• Matthew 9:23-26: The continuation of this story, where Jesus indeed raises the ruler's daughter.
• Mark 5:21-43 and Luke 8:40-56: Parallel accounts of this same event.
• John 11:25-26: Jesus proclaims His power over death to Martha, before raising Lazarus.
• Acts 9:36-41: Peter raises Tabitha from the dead, echoing Jesus' miracle.
• Hebrews 11:1: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Language Study

Key words in this verse in the original Greek include:

• "Worshipped" (Greek: προσκυνέω, proskuneo): Implies kneeling or prostration to pay homage.
• "Ruler" (Greek: ἄρχων, archon): A leader or person of high status, often linked with a religious or community leader.
• "Dead" (Greek: θνήσκω, thnesko): Here implies the daughter had just died or was in the process of dying.
• "Live" (Greek: ζάω, zao): To live or have life, with connotations of vitality and resurrection.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In Ancient Near Eastern cultures, there are various accounts of gods and heroes demonstrating power over life and death.

For instance, in the myth of Osiris from Egyptian mythology, a god is resurrected.

In Greek mythology, Asclepius had the power to raise the dead.

However, in the Jewish and Christian religious frameworks, the power to give life ultimately rests with God, making Jesus’ actions in this verse further evidence of his divine nature.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern science approaches death as a biological process that, once complete, is irreversible.

However, cases of near-death experiences or people being resuscitated after clinical death challenge the strict biological definition.

These instances could be framed in a scientific context as examples of modern medicine expanding the boundaries of life.

But they are fundamentally different from the biblical account of resurrection, which is a miracle outside the scope of scientific explanation.

Commentaries

• Matthew Henry's Commentary highlights the faith of the ruler in Christ's power even over death and contrasts it with the limited understanding of the disciples.
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary discusses the significance of the ruler's worship and points out the possibility that the ruler was Jairus, as mentioned in the parallel accounts.
• Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible emphasizes that this account shows that power belongs to Jesus alone to raise the dead and perform miraculous healings.
• The Expositor's Bible Commentary offers insight into the cultural and social status of the ruler and how it demonstrates that people of all ranks came to Jesus for help.
• The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges points out the immediacy of the request, showing the urgency and desperation, as well as the depth of the ruler’s faith.