Mar 5:21-24 | JFB | STEP | 21. And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side-- from the Gadarene side of the lake, where He had parted with the healed demoniac, to the west side, at Capernaum. much people gathered unto him-- who "gladly received Him; for they were all waiting for Him" ( ). The abundant teaching earlier that day ( , &c., and ) had only whetted the people's appetite: and disappointed, as would seem, that He had left them in the evening to cross the lake, they remain hanging about the beach, having got a hint, probably through some of His disciples, that He would be back the same evening. Perhaps they witnessed at a distance the sudden calming of the tempest. The tide of our Lord's popularity was now fast rising. and he was nigh unto the sea.

‏ Mark 5:21-24

21. And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side--from the Gadarene side of the lake, where He had parted with the healed demoniac, to the west side, at Capernaum.

much people gathered unto him--who "gladly received Him; for they were all waiting for Him" (Lu 8:40). The abundant teaching earlier that day (Mr 4:1, &c., and Mt 13:1-58) had only whetted the people's appetite: and disappointed, as would seem, that He had left them in the evening to cross the lake, they remain hanging about the beach, having got a hint, probably through some of His disciples, that He would be back the same evening. Perhaps they witnessed at a distance the sudden calming of the tempest. The tide of our Lord's popularity was now fast rising.

and he was nigh unto the sea.

22. And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue--of which class there were but few who believed in Jesus (Joh 7:48). One would suppose from this that the ruler had been with the multitude on the shore, anxiously awaiting the return of Jesus, and immediately on His arrival had accosted Him as here related. But Matthew (Mt 9:18) tells us that the ruler came to Him while He was in the act of speaking at His own table on the subject of fasting; and as we must suppose that this converted publican ought to know what took place on that memorable occasion when he made a feast to his Lord, we conclude that here the right order is indicated by the First Evangelist alone.

Jairus by name--or "Jaeirus." It is the same name as Jair, in the Old Testament (Nu 32:41; Jud 10:3; Es 2:5).

and when he saw him, he fell at his feet--in Matthew (Mt 9:18), "worshipped Him." The meaning is the same in both.

23. And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter--Luke (Lu 8:42) says, "He had one only daughter, about twelve years of age." According to a well-known rabbin, quoted by Lightfoot, a daughter, till she had completed her twelfth year, was called "little," or "a little maid"; after that, "a young woman."

lieth at the point of death--Matthew (Mt 9:18) gives it thus: "My daughter is even now dead"--"has just expired." The news of her death reached the father after the cure of the woman with the issue of blood: but Matthew's brief account gives only the result, as in the case of the centurion's servant (Mt 8:5, &c.).

come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live--or, "that she may be healed and live," according to a fully preferable reading. In one of the class to which this man belonged, so steeped in prejudice, such faith would imply more than in others.

The Woman with an Issue of Blood Healed (Mr 5:24-34).

24. And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him--The word in Luke (Lu 8:42) is stronger--"choked," "stifled Him."