Matthew 9:23

23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes,

Matthew 9:23 in Other Translations

23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,

23 And when Jesus came to the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion,

23 When Jesus arrived at the official’s home, he saw the noisy crowd and heard the funeral music.

23 By now they had arrived at the house of the town official, and pushed their way through the gossips looking for a story and the neighbors bringing in casseroles.

23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the flute-players, and the crowd making a tumult,

23 Jesus came to the [synagogue] leader's house. He saw flute players and a noisy crowd.

23 When Jesus came to the leader's house, He saw the flute players and a crowd lamenting loudly.

23 When Jesus entered the ruler's house, he saw the flute players there. And he saw the noisy crowd.

Matthew 9:23 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 9:23

And when Jesus came into the ruler's house
Both Mark and Luke relate, how that before this, whilst they were in the way, and just as Christ had done speaking to the poor woman, that news was brought to the ruler, that his daughter was actually dead, and therefore need not give Jesus any further trouble; when Christ encouraged him not to be cast down at the tidings, but believe, and she should be restored again; and that he suffered none to follow him, but Peter, James, and John: and

saw the minstrels,
or "pipers"; how many there were, is not known: it is certain there were more than one; and it was a rule with the

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 Jews that

``the poorest man in Israel (when his wife died) had not less (Mylylx ynvm) , "than two pipes", and one mourning woman.''

And since this was a daughter of a ruler of the synagogue that was dead, there might be several of them. These instruments were made use of, not to remove the melancholy of surviving friends, or allay the grief of the afflicted family; but, on the contrary, to excite it: for the Jewish writers say ^F1, these pipes were hollow instruments, with which they made a known sound, (lbahw hykbh rrwel) , "to stir up lamentation and mourning": and for the same purpose, they had their mourning women, who answered to the pipe; and by their dishevelled hair, and doleful tones, moved upon the affections, and drew tears from others; and very likely are the persons, that Mark says, "wept and wailed greatly". Sometimes trumpets were made use of on these mournful occasions ^F2; but whether these were used only for persons more advanced in years, and pipes for younger ones, as by the Heathens ^F3, at least, at some times, is not certain.

And the people making a noise;
the people of the house, the relations of the deceased, the neighbours, who came in on this occasion; and others, in a sort of tumult and uproar, hurrying and running about; some speaking in the praise of the dead, others lamenting her death, and others preparing things proper for the funeral; all which shew, that she was really dead: among these also, might be the mourners that made a noise for the dead;

``for since mourning was for the honour of the dead, therefore they obliged the heirs to hire mourning men, and mourning women, to mourn for the same ^F4.''

F26 Misn. Cetubot. c. 4. sect. 4. Maimon Ishot, c. 14. sect. 23.
F1 Maimon & Bartenora in Misn. Sabbat, c. 23. sect. 4.
F2 Midrash Kohelet, fol. 77. 4.
F3 Vid. Kirchman. de funer. Roman. l. 2. c. 5.
F4 Maimon. Hilch. Ebel, c. 12. sect. 1.

Matthew 9:23 In-Context

21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes,

24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him.

25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.

Cross References

• 1. 2 Chronicles 35:25; Jeremiah 9:17,18