Midrash for II Kings 4:29

R. Samuel b. Nachmeni, in the name of R. Jonathan, said: "In the future, the righteous will have the power to revive the dead, for it is written (Zech. 8, 4) Thus hath said the Lord of Hosts, Again shall there sit old men and women in the streets of Jerusalem, and every one with his staff in his hand because of their multitude of years. And it is written (II Kings 4, 29) Lay my staff upon the face of the lad. [Just as in the latter place the staff revived a dead child, so also in the former case the staff will be for reviving the dead]."

(Exodus 17:9) "And Moses said to Joshua, etc.": whence it is seen that he equated Joshua with himself. All men are hereby apprised of proper deportment. Moses did not say to Joshua "Choose for me men," but "Choose for us men." And whence is it derived that the honor due one's friend is to be as beloved by him as the fear of his teacher? From (Numbers 12:11) "And Aaron said to Moses: 'I pray you, my lord.'" Now was Aaron not Moses' brother, and older than he? How, then, is "I pray you, my lord" to be understood? He equated him with his teacher. And whence is it derived that the fear of one's teacher is to be equated with that of Heaven? From (Numbers 11:28) "And Joshua the son of Nun, the attendant of Moses from his youth, answered: "My lord, Moses, destroy them" — Just as the L rd can destroy them, so, can you. And thus do you find with Gechazi. When Elisha said to him (II Kings 4:29) "Gird your loins and take my staff in your hand," he began to support himself on his staff and to go. They (i.e., strangers) asked him: Where are you going Gechazi? He answered: To revive the dead. They: Now can you revive the dead? Is it not written (I Samuel 2:6) "The L rd puts to death and brings to life"? He: My master, too, puts to death and brings to life.

Likewise in regard to Gehazi. When Elijah said to him: Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thy hands, and go thy way; if thou meet any man, salute him not, and if any salute thee, answer him not (II Kings 4:29), Gehazi walked away leaning upon his staff. When men encountered him and asked: “Where are you going?” He would reply: “To revive the dead!” When they retorted: “Is it not the Holy One, blessed be He, alone who orders death and restores to life?” He answered: “My master likewise orders death and restores to life.”