Luke 8:43

And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,

And {G2532} a woman {G1135} having {G5607}{G1722} an issue {G4511} of blood {G129} twelve {G1427} years {G575}{G2094}, which {G3748} had spent {G4321} all {G3650} her living {G979} upon {G1519} physicians {G2395}, neither {G3756} could {G2480} be healed {G2323} of {G5259} any {G3762},

a woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and could not be healed by anyone,

including a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years. She had spent all her money on physicians, but no one was able to heal her.

And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, who had spent all her living upon physicians, and could not be healed of any,

Commentary on Luke 8:43 (KJV)

Luke 8:43 introduces one of the most poignant and powerful stories of healing in the Gospels, often interwoven with the narrative of Jairus's daughter. This verse sets the stage for a dramatic encounter with Jesus, highlighting the depth of human suffering and the ultimate source of true healing.

Context

This verse is part of a larger narrative where Jesus is on His way to heal Jairus's dying daughter. A large crowd is pressing in on Him. It is within this bustling, public setting that this woman, suffering in secret, seeks a miracle. The insertion of her story into the account of Jairus's daughter emphasizes Jesus' compassion for all, regardless of social standing or the severity of their plight.

Key Themes

  • Chronic Suffering and Desperation: The phrase "issue of blood twelve years" signifies a long-term, debilitating condition. According to Mosaic Law (Leviticus 15:25-30), a continuous discharge of blood made a person ritually unclean, leading to social isolation and exclusion from religious life. Her suffering was not only physical but also deeply personal and social.
  • Futility of Human Solutions: The detail "which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any" underscores the complete failure of conventional medicine. She had exhausted all her resources—financially and emotionally—on human remedies that proved ineffective. This sets the stage for divine intervention, demonstrating that only Jesus possesses the power to heal what is humanly impossible.
  • Anticipation of Divine Healing: Her desperate situation, combined with the presence of Jesus, builds a powerful anticipation for the miraculous healing that is about to occur. Her story becomes a testament to the sovereign power of God over disease and despair.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "issue of blood" is rhysei haimatos (ῥύσει αἵματος), meaning "flow of blood" or "hemorrhage." Luke, being a physician himself, uses precise language to describe her condition, emphasizing its severity and duration. The description of her spending "all her living" (ὅλον τὸν βίον) upon physicians highlights her complete destitution, signifying that she had literally nothing left.

Practical Application

The story of the woman with the issue of blood offers profound lessons for believers today:

  • Hope in Desperation: Even when all human efforts fail and resources are depleted, this woman's story reminds us that nothing is impossible with God. It encourages us to turn to Jesus when all other avenues have been exhausted.
  • Persistence in Faith: Despite her chronic condition and social barriers, she persisted in seeking Jesus. Her quiet determination to simply touch His garment speaks volumes about her unwavering faith, a faith that Jesus later commends (Luke 8:48).
  • Compassion for the Suffering: This narrative calls us to have empathy for those who suffer silently, whose pain might not be immediately visible, or who are marginalized by society. Jesus' willingness to stop for her, even amidst a pressing crowd and an urgent mission, highlights His deep compassion and personal attention to individual needs.

Her story, recounted also in Matthew 9:20-22 and Mark 5:25-34, is a timeless testament to the power of faith and the boundless grace of Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Mark 5:25

    And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,

  • Mark 5:26

    And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,

  • Matthew 9:20

    And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind [him], and touched the hem of his garment:

  • Matthew 9:22

    But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

  • Leviticus 15:25

    And if a woman have an issue of her blood many days out of the time of her separation, or if it run beyond the time of her separation; all the days of the issue of her uncleanness shall be as the days of her separation: she [shall be] unclean.

  • Leviticus 15:33

    And of her that is sick of her flowers, and of him that hath an issue, of the man, and of the woman, and of him that lieth with her that is unclean.

  • Luke 13:16

    And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

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