The Life Of Jesus Christ In Its Historical Connexion

When Christ returned to the western shore of the lake, he found a multitude of people awaiting his arrival. One of the rulers of the synagogue, named Jairus, whose daughter of twelve years [329] lay so ill that her death was hourly expected, pressed through the throng to the Saviour, and besought him to go to his house. He arose to grant the sorrowing father's prayer, but the crowd detained them.

A woman who had suffered with an issue for twelve years, and had sought aid in vain from physicians, approached him through the press from behind. She did not venture to address him directly, but having formed the idea in her own way, she thought that a sort of magical healing power streamed forth from his person, and that she might be relieved of her malady simply by touching his garment. Her believing confidence, although blended with erroneous conceptions, was not disappointed.

Christ felt that some one had touched his robe, [330] and inquired who it was. Peter, forward as usual, spoke for the disciples, and said (very candidly, doubtless, as he probably did not observe the woman's movement), "How canst thou be surprised, in the midst of such a throng, that the people approach and touch thee!" But Christ repeated his question, and the woman, who had not before ventured a word, expecting to be discovered, fell trembling at his feet, and proclaimed before all what had happened to her. Jesus, kindly encouraging the trembling heart, said to her, "Be of good cheer, thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." [331]