COMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 53
“ Mark 5:21 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto Him: and He was nigh unto the sea. 22And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw Him, he fell at His feet, 23And besought Him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray Thee, come and lay Thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. 24And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.”
(Mark 5:21-24; Matt 9:18-19; Luke 8:40-42)
JAIRUS AND HIS DAUGHTER, #1
INTRODUCTION
Mark headed this book, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1). As we proceed through his book, it becomes glaringly apparent that the Gospel of Jesus Christ deals with who He is and what He does. At no point does Mark shift his writing to focus on another subject or another person. He never veers into a literary bypath, commenting on the environ of the country of Galilee, the city Jerusalem, or the Temple. He is not found providing us with a lengthy description of the landscape, the Temple service, or the various feasts that were being observed. The focus is always placed on Jesus, and the events that are mentioned relate to Him, what He did and what He said. If a demoniac, a Feast, or a crowd of 5,000 men is mentioned, it is always in association with the Lord Jesus. If the scribes and Pharisees are considered, it is from Jesus’ viewpoint. If there is a record of the detailed teaching of a person, it is always Jesus’ teaching. We read about His perspective, His teaching, and His works. That is the grand theme of the Gospel. Luke said his Gospel was a “treatise,” or account, “of all that Jesus began both to do and to teach” (Acts 1:1). When, therefore, we are considering these things, we are considering the Gospel of Christ – the beginning of it: what He “began to do and teach,” “the beginning of the Gospel.” All of this sheds light on the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
JESUS ARRIVES FROM GADARA
“ Mk 5:21 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto Him: and He was nigh unto the sea.”
PASSED OVER AGAIN. Jesus has just healed the Gadarene demoniac, and, at the request of the citizens of that region, has left the area and returned to region of Galilee. When he left Galilee, he had just finished teaching the people by the seaside, telling the parable of the sower, and expounding it to His disciples. This was done on the sea shore: “And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land” (Mark 4:1). Now He returns to resume His ministry in that area.
Jesus conducted His entire ministry in this way, moving here and there, leaving and returning, always on the move. One time He said, “I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent” (Luke 4:43). What does all of this mean? Simply this, that Jesus always did the works He saw His Father doing. He said the works He did were “the works of My Father” (John 10:37). Also, His ministry did not center in a particular individual, city, or region. No one owned Him but God the Father.
MUCH PEOPLE GATHERED UNTO HIM. When He left, a lot of people had been gathered to Him, and when He returned the same condition resumed. Prior to leaving it is said of the people, “And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that He went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore” (Matt 13:2). Matthew also speaks of the great following Jesus had in the region of Galilee. “And there followed Him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan” (Matt 4:25). It would prove to be a temporary revival, but Jesus honored it while it was present. In a way, this depicted the kind of response that would be found in the world to His great redemption. Later Jesus would affirm, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me” (John 12:32).
True revivals, regardless of their duration, always center in the person of the Lord Jesus. You will note that when Jesus sent out the disciples (both the twelve and the seventy), they went to the people (Matt 10:5; Lk 10:1). The people, however, never gathered to them as they did to Jesus, even though they worked many wonders among the people. When God draws people, it is to His Son. Thus Jesus said, “No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him” (John 6:44). When, therefore, men or an institution formed by men, upstage Jesus, the Father is not in the matter.
Mark says that when Jesus returned “much people gathered unto Him.” Luke says, “And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received Him: for they were all waiting for Him” (Luke 8:40). How different was His reception in Galilee than it was in Gadara. The people across the sea had asked Him to “depart out of their coasts” (Mk 8:34). On this side of the sea the people “gladly received Him.” Other versions say the crowd “welcomed Him,” NKJV “were glad to see Him,” BBE and “received ands welcomed Him gladly.” AMPLIFIED How this must have refreshed the heart of the Savior – particularly in the wake of the chilly reception He had received among the Gadarenes. Here were people who saw advantages to Jesus being among them. In Gadara His presence was only associated with disadvantages.
Luke explains why the people were so glad to see Jesus again. They “were all waiting for Him,” or “expecting Him,” NIV or “waiting and looking for Him.” AMPLIFIED Perhaps they had seen the vessel approaching their shore from the land of Gadara. We are not told how long they had been waiting for the Lord, for that was not the point. The point is that when He returned, the people were ready and waiting for Him.
Herein is a vivid picture of the posture of those who see in Jesus the Answer to all of their need. The Lord has left the region of the world in order to minister in the heavenly realms. But He will return again, and blessed are those are who waiting for Him, and will gladly receive Him. We are told that the grace of God teaches us to look for “that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.” As we wait on the shore of time, we do so denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, living “soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world”(Tit 2:11-13). Like those in Galilee, the returning King will be gladly received by them, for they will be waiting for Him. I have no doubt that Jesus saw these future realities in the people who welcomed Him back to their region.
HE WAS NIGH UNTO THE SEA. One version reads, “He stayed by the seashore” NASB This is a sort of depiction of the posture Jesus assumes when teaching the people. He remains close to the place of disembarkment, leaving the people with a sense of the temporary nature of external benefits. This was also a situation where the people had to come to Him – and they did, because they were waiting and longing for Him. True religion can only exist where there is an unquenchable appetite for Jesus, an eager looking for Him, and a gathering unto Him.
JESUS CONFRONTS JAIRUS
“ 22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw Him, he fell at His feet, 23 And besought Him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray Thee, come and lay Thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.”
Suddenly one surfaces from the crowd. He is not content to remain among the faceless masses, or receive a general benefit from the Lord. This man has a need that only Jesus can meet, and he boldly separates himself from the crowd and speaks personally to Jesus.
ONE OF THE RULERS OF THE SYNAGOGUE. Matthew reefers to “a certain ruler” (Matt 9:18). Like Mark, Luke also identified him as “a ruler of the synagogue” (Lk 8:41). He differed from another “ruler of the synagogue” who was indignant when Jesus healed someone on the Sabbath day (Lk 13:14). John mentions that a great number “among the chief rulers” of the synagogue believed on Jesus (John 12:42). When Paul and Silas were attending a synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia, the “rulers of the synagogue” asked them if they had “any word of exhortation” (Acts 13:15). We read in Acts of a man named Crispus, who was a “the chief ruler of the synagogue,” who “believed on the Lord with all of his house” (Acts 18:8). Another man named Sosthenes is also identified as “the chief ruler of the synagogue” (Acts 18:17).
It is generally understood that these were the “elders” to whom the care of the synagogue was committed (Matt 15:2; 16:21; 21:23; 26:3). They apparently presided over the gatherings, as suggested in Luke 13:14 and Acts 13:15.
Israel also had certain that held key positions among the people (Ex 18:12; 19:7; 24:1; Lev 4:15). These also exist in the body of Christ (Acts 20:17; 21:18; 1 Tim 5:17; James 5:14; 1 Pet 5:1). They are also associated with “rule” (1 Tim 5:17), something that is specifically associated with laboring in the Word and the doctrine (1 Tim 5:17), and speaking the Word of God (Heb 13:7).
JAIRUS BY NAME. The name Jairus means, “whom, God enlightens” – certainly an appropriate name for this ruler of the synagogue. Notice, he was not there as a ruler, but was among the crowd as one who stood in need of Jesus. This is also how the Lord Jesus saw him – a particular individual to whom mercy could be shown.
HE SAW AND FELL. Although there was a crowd there, Jairus “saw” Jesus and made his way to Him, falling at His feet. Matthew says he “worshipped Him” (Matt 9:18). The crowd did not stop him from coming to the very feet of Jesus, and prostrating Himself before the Master. This kind of eagerness, determination, and humility has been largely lost in the American church. It is because the breed of Christianity that is being embraced does not promote this kind of response. The more institutionalism prevails, the less people extend themselves to come to and worship Jesus, and to humble themselves before Him.
HE BESOUGHT HIM GREATLY. Other versions read, “made strong prayers,” BBE “implored Him earnestly,” ESV “pleaded earnestly,” NAB and “begged Him earnestly.” NKJV One version of Luke says he “began to entreat Him” NASB (Lk 8:40), indicating the supplication was in detail, extended, and even repeated. This is a level of prayer in which more of the person is found. James refers to it as “the effectual fervent pray of a righteous man” (James 5:16). It is said of our blessed Lord that He “offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears” (Heb 5:7). Paul wrote of widows who continued “in supplications and prayers night and day” (1 Tim 5:5). This is a petition that presses the matter, and in which the individual does not “faint” – for men are always to pray, and “not to faint” (Luke 18:1). It is the type of prayer in which it will do us well to become more expert – prayers with more faith and fervency.
MY LITTLE DAUGHTER. Mark says “little daughter” – “little” in age. Luke tells us it was Jairus’ “only daughter, about twelve years of age” (Lk 8:42). Matthew says that she was already dead – “my daughter is even now dead” (Matt 9:18). By this, we understand he meant that his daughter was as good as dead, being in the last stage of life. Mark says she “lieth at the point of death” (Mk 5:23). Luke says, “she lay a dying” (Lk 8:42).
LAY THY HANDS ON HER. How fervently Jairus pleads, “I pray Thee, come and lay Thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.” Matthew represents Jairus as saying the same words (Matt 9:18). Luke says Jairus “besought Him that He would come into his house” (Lk 8:40). Jairus was seeking the immediate presence and involvement of Jesus.
Here is an expression of the persuasion of faith. There was no question about the power of the Lord. It only remained for Him to confront the situation, and it would be resolved. A touch from Jesus, and all would be well. Precious is the soul who is persuaded of the truth of this, as Jairus was. Over the years I have found that institutionalized religion tends to remove this persuasion from the heart. Dead religion actually leads an individual to cease thinking of Jesus as a Worker, viewing Him only in a theoretical or speculative sense. You may rest assured that such a posture will not move the Lord to work in our behalf.
JESUS GOES WITH JAIRUS
“ 24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed Him, and thronged Him.”
JESUS WENT WITH HIM. Matthew writes, “And Jesus arose, and followed him” (Mat 9:19), for Jesus was seated, and teaching the people concerning not putting new wine into old bottles (Matt 9:15-17). Thus, upon His return from Gadara, and confronting the people who were waiting for Him, Jesus was in the process of teaching the people.
We learn from this that Jesus’ works did not conflict with His teaching. Technically speaking, Jairus’ did not interrupt the Lord. He rather made a request that was in perfect accord with what Jesus was teaching – else Jesus would not have gone with him. Once Jesus rejected an appeal that He go to a certain house and speak to one of its members about a more equitable distribution of the family inheritance (Lk 12:13). That particular request was at a variance with His mission, and therefore He did not honor it.
It is important that we consider the requests we make of the Lord. Are they in keeping with His revealed purpose? Do they ask Him to act in strict accord with His nature? Where such comparisons are not made, it is quite possible that we will “ask amiss,” with our own objectives in mind rather than the Lord’s (James 4:3).
There is only one other time that Jesus is said to have gone with someone. It was when the elders of the Jews spoke to Him in behalf of a centurion whose servant was “sick, and ready to die.” It is written that “Jesus went with them” (Lk 7:6). Jesus does not always work according to a known outward pattern. The faith of Jairus seemed to sense this. Do you sense it also?
MUCH PEOPLE FOLLOWED HIM. Other versions read, “a great multitude was following Him,” NASB “a large crowd followed Him,” NIV and “a great crowd kept following Him.” AMPLIFIED Matthew focuses on the disciples of Jesus saying that Jesus followed Jairus, “and so did His disciples” (Matt 9:19).
Notice that Christ’s disciples and the multitudes did not assume that Jesus moving away from them meant that they had to be separated from Him. They followed Him where He was going, even though He was following Jairus’ to where he was going. Jairus did not ask them to come, but they came anyway, and Jesus did not ask them to leave.
Here we see a certain manner of the Kingdom. Spiritual life does not consist so much of the Lord joining you in what you are doing, as you joining Him in what He is doing. This manner was depicted in the movement of Israel through the wilderness. They did not chart their own course, asking the Lord to accompany them. Rather, the Lord directed them with a cloud. It is written, “And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: but if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up” (Ex 40:36-37). This is how the Lord directs His people – not by pointing and saying “Go!” but by leading them.
Thus we read of the leading of the Spirit (Rom 8:14), Jesus leading the sheep (John 10:3), and the goodness of God leading us (Rom 2:4). All of this postulates the attentiveness of the people – having their affection set on things above (Col 3:1-2), looking unto Jesus (Heb 12:2), and looking for His return (Tit 2:13). Where this attentiveness is not found, it is not possible to be led by the Lord, or to accompany Him wherever He goes.
I am persuaded that Jesus has moved Himself so as to lead certain people into a deeper fellowship with Himself, where more can be seen and known of Him. Perhaps He has removed Himself in order to work in a different manner, and to enable His disciples to work with Him. He may have led them into a fuller and deeper life, or to more lofty heights in their understanding. But, unlike the throng on the sea shore, they were not able to follow Him because they were not alert, and were unaware that He had moved.
MUCH PEOPLE THRONGED HIM. Luke says “as He went the people thronged Him” (Lk 8:42). These people did more than follow Jesus at a distance – “afar off” – as Peter once did (Matt 26:58). They “thronged Him,” “pressing in on Him.” NASB “bumping up against Him,” BBE “jostling Him,” ISV and pressing Him “from all sides [so as to almost suffocate Him].” AMPLIFIED
Only a large crowd can “throng,” crowding around an object or person – in this case, the Lord Jesus. Two or three people cannot “throng.” In our text, there were no “back-seaters” present. Everyone was seeking to get as close to Jesus as they could – like a great circle of people that became tighter and smaller as they eagerly moved as close as they could to the Lord.
This again is a vivid picture of what happens when people recognize the Lord. They always try to get closer to Him. If they hear someone speaking His Gospel, they make every effort to get closer. Kingdom life is aptly described as drawing near. Thus we are admonished, “Let us draw near” (Heb 10:22), and “draw nigh unto God” (James 4:8), “come boldly” (Heb 4:16) and “come unto Me” (Matt 11:28). There is no God, Christ, or Spirit in a religion of distance – one that allows a person to remain aloof and detached from the Savior. I must confess that I long to see Jesus thronged with seeking multitudes. But even if that does not occur, I myself will press in.