A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed
Matthew 9:18-26 ESV
18 While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live." 19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21 for she said to herself, "If I only touch his garment, I will be made well." 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter, your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well. 23 And when Jesus came to the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, "Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district.
In Matthew's account, the ruler is asking Jesus to revive her. In Mark and Luke's account, the ruler asks Jesus to stop her from dying.
It's beautiful, isn't it? "But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose."
"If I only touch his garment, I will be made well."
"Take heart, daughter, your faith has made you well."
Strong’s Greek 2293 (θαρσέω, tharseō) voices a summons to inward confidence that rests on an external source—God’s saving presence. The verb never depicts self-generated optimism; it always arises from a word or act of the Lord that decisively removes the cause of fear.
Jesus’ Personal Imperative to the Afflicted
- Sin-forgiven paralytic: “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven” (Matthew 9:2). The command precedes physical healing, highlighting forgiveness as the deeper liberation.
- Hemorrhaging woman: “Take courage, daughter … your faith has healed you” (Matthew 9:22). Here tharseō ties courage to faith that reaches out and receives Christ’s power.
In both, fear linked to shame or hopelessness is displaced by a word that confers relational security with God.
Faith, courage, hope in the assurance:
New International Version
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
English Standard Version
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
King James Bible
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.