Summary

A Jewish leader asks Jesus to come and heal his daughter, who is dying. Jesus starts on the way, and the leader receives word that the daughter has died. Jesus continues to the house, and raises the girl back to life.

Scripture References

• Episode: Mt 9.18-19, 23-26, Mk 5.21-23, 35-43, Lk 8.40-42, 49-56.

• Prophets: 1 Ki 17.17-24, 2 Ki 4.18-37, 2 Ki 13.21

• Laying on hands: Mark 6.5, 7.32, 8.23, 25

• Sleep and death: Mk 4.27, 28, 13.36, 14.37,40,41, Ps 87.6, Dan 12.2, 1 Th 5.6,10

Discussion Questions

1. Why did Jesus take just three of his disciples with him?

2. What did Jesus mean when he said that the girl was sleeping? Why might he have chosen to say this?

3. Why did Jesus put the mourners out of the house?

4. What is the contrast between fear and belief?

5. Why did Jesus tell Jairus and his wife to give their daughter food?

6. What evidence is found in the text to support the understanding that she was really raised from the dead, and not resuscitated from a coma?