In my last post, we looked at Kefa’s appointment as an Emissary and his inquiring mind from the Parable of the Watchful Servants. In this post, I will turn to Kefa’s Involvement with Yeshua’s Healing of a Woman and Ya’ir’s (Jarius’s) Daughter.

Most of us a familiar with this account of Yeshua healing the woman who had had a hemorrhaging of blood for twelve years. Under Jewish law, because of that, she was considered unclean and had to live apart from her family and community. She was obviously desperate for healing after consulting with multiple physicians. Rather than quoting the entire passage, I want to focus in on Kefa’s involvement.

The woman came up behind Him and touched the tzitzit on His robe; instantly, her hemorrhaging stopped. ⁴⁵ Yeshua asked, “Who touched me?” When they all denied doing it, Kefa said, “Rabbi! The crowds are hemming you in and jostling you!” ⁴⁶ But Yeshua said, “Someone did touch me because I felt power go out of me.” ~ Luke 8:44-46 (CJB)

A couple of thoughts on this portion of the story:

• Kefa was close to Yeshua when this incident occurred. He, too, was probably being pushed and shoved by the crowd as made its way towards Ya’ir’s
• Kefa gave the response to Yeshua that I assume most of us would have also given. I can recall many times when I have been in a crowd to get into a concert or football game where I have been jostled by some unknown person. Pastor Tony Evans has this fascinating insight:

When He asked who had touched Him, Peter was astonished. Jesus was being accosted from every side. Everyone was touching him! But the Son of God knows when someone has reached out to him in faith.[1]

We pick up our account with Yeshua and the crowd continuing their journey to Ya’ir’s home to health his daughter. By now, however, they had learned that his little girl had died, and the mourners [2] were on their way. Again, rather than quoting the entire passage, I want to focus in on Kefa’s involvement.

⁵¹ When he arrived at the house, he didn’t allow anyone to go in with him except Kefa, Yochanan, Ya’akov and the child’s father and mother ⁵² All the people were wailing and mourning for her; but he said, “Don’t weep; she hasn’t died, she’s sleeping.” ~ Luke 8:51-52 (CJB)

The timing of this passage is still early in Yeshua’s ministry, and Kefa being called to be an emissary. Here we see the beginning of the triumvirate of Kefa, Yochanan, and Ya’akov as the leaders of the pack. We will see them later at the Mount of Transfiguration and the Mount of Olives on Yeshua’s last night before His crucifixion.

I am not going to speculate on any significance or the lack thereof in the order of the listing of their names.

In my next post, we will look at Kefa Getting Wet.

Click here for the PDF version.

[1] Tony Evans Bible Commentary, Advancing God’s Kingdom Agenda.

[2] At least two or three professional mourners (two flute players and a mourning woman) were required at the funeral of even the poorest person; the funeral for a member of a prominent family like this one would have many mourners. Because bodies decomposed rapidly in Palestine, mourners had to be assembled as quickly as possible, and they had gathered before word even reached Jairus that his daughter had died. ~ Bible Background Commentary – New Testament.