23
When Jesus arrived at the official’s home, he saw the noisy crowd and heard the funeral music.
24
“Get out!” he told them. “The girl isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” But the crowd laughed at him.
25
After the crowd was put outside, however, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up!
26
The report of this miracle swept through the entire countryside.
27
After Jesus left the girl’s home, two blind men followed along behind him, shouting, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”
28
They went right into the house where he was staying, and Jesus asked them, “Do you believe I can make you see?” “Yes, Lord,” they told him, “we do.”
29
Then he touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.”
30
Then their eyes were opened, and they could see! Jesus sternly warned them, “Don’t tell anyone about this.”
31
But instead, they went out and spread his fame all over the region.
32
When they left, a demon-possessed man who couldn’t speak was brought to Jesus.
33
So Jesus cast out the demon, and then the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed. “Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!” they exclaimed.