Luke 8:44

KJV

Came behind [him], and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.

KJV (with Strong's)

Came {G4334} behind {G3693} him, and touched {G680} the border {G2899} of his {G846} garment {G2440}: and {G2532} immediately {G3916} her {G846} issue {G4511} of blood {G129} stanched {G2476}.

Complete Jewish Bible

came up behind him and touched the tzitzit on his robe; instantly her hemorrhaging stopped.

Berean Standard Bible

She came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of His cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

American Standard Version

came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately the issue of her blood stanched.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 8:44 vividly portrays the miraculous healing of a woman who had suffered from a debilitating hemorrhage for twelve years. Amidst a pressing crowd, she, driven by profound faith and desperation, approached Jesus from behind and touched the fringe of His garment. Her touch, an act of quiet conviction, instantly brought about her complete healing, demonstrating Jesus's inherent divine power and His compassionate response to even the most marginalized and ritually unclean individuals.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a larger narrative in Luke's Gospel, specifically following Jesus's teaching on the parable of the sower and the calming of the storm. Immediately preceding this account, Jesus is on His way to the house of Jairus, a synagogue official, whose daughter is dying ([Luke 8:41-42](/luke/8-41-42 "Luke 8:41-42 - Jairus's Plea to Jesus")). The crowd is pressing in on Jesus, creating a scene of intense public interaction. The healing of the woman with the issue of blood serves as an interlude, a "story within a story," that highlights Jesus's accessibility and power even amidst other urgent demands, and it dramatically sets the stage for the subsequent news of Jairus's daughter's death and her eventual resurrection, emphasizing Jesus's authority over both sickness and death.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The woman's condition, a chronic hemorrhage, rendered her ritually unclean according to Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 15:19-30](/leviticus/15-19-30 "Leviticus 15:19-30 - Laws Concerning Bodily Discharges")). This meant she was perpetually isolated from society, unable to participate in public worship, touch others without defiling them, or even live normally within her family. Her condition was not only physically debilitating but also socially and religiously ostracizing. She had spent all her resources on physicians, a common but often ineffective practice in that era, leaving her impoverished and without hope. Her act of approaching Jesus from behind and touching His garment reflects both her humility and her desire to avoid public scrutiny or the risk of ritually defiling others in the crowd, yet it also underscores her profound belief that even a minimal physical connection to Jesus would bring healing.
* **Key Themes:** This pivotal moment in Luke's narrative contributes significantly to several overarching themes. Foremost is the theme of **Transformative Faith**, as the woman's quiet yet resolute belief in Jesus's power is the catalyst for her healing, a point Jesus explicitly affirms in [Luke 8:48](/luke/8-48 "Luke 8:48 - Jesus Affirms Her Faith"). It also powerfully demonstrates the **Divine Power of Jesus**, showcasing His inherent ability to heal instantaneously and effortlessly, even without direct command or explicit request from the individual. Furthermore, the narrative highlights Jesus's **Compassion and Inclusion** for the marginalized. Despite her ritual impurity and social stigma, Jesus not only heals her but also publicly acknowledges and affirms her, restoring her dignity and reintegrating her into the community, embodying the kingdom's radical reversal of social norms, as seen in other interactions with outcasts throughout [Luke's Gospel](/luke/1 "The Gospel of Luke").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **touched (Greek, _háptomai'_):** This verb signifies more than a casual brush; it implies a deliberate act of attaching oneself to something, often with the intent of interaction or connection. In this context, it conveys the woman's intentional and faith-filled reach, a desperate yet hopeful attempt to draw power from Jesus.
* **border (Greek, _kráspedon'_):** This refers to the fringe or tassel worn on the corners of Jewish outer garments, mandated by God in [Numbers 15:38-40](/numbers/15-38-40 "Numbers 15:38-40 - The Command for Tassels") and [Deuteronomy 22:12](/deuteronomy/22-12 "Deuteronomy 22:12 - Fringes on Garments"). These fringes, known as _tzitzit_, served as a visual reminder of God's commandments and the wearer's covenant with Him. The woman's specific choice to touch this part of Jesus's garment suggests her recognition of His holiness and His authoritative connection to the divine law, viewing Him as a righteous man of God.
* **stanched (Greek, _hístēmi'_):** While primarily meaning "to stand," in this context, it specifically means "to stop" or "to cease" a flow. The use of this word emphasizes the immediate and complete cessation of the hemorrhage, signaling a definitive and miraculous intervention rather than a gradual improvement. It underscores the instantaneous and supernatural nature of Jesus's healing power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Came behind [him]":** This phrase reveals the woman's desperate and perhaps cautious approach. Due to her ritually unclean status, she would have been forbidden from public interaction and touching others. Approaching from behind allowed her to act discreetly, minimizing the risk of defiling others or drawing public condemnation. It also speaks to her humility and the depth of her suffering, which compelled her to seek healing even at great personal and social risk.
* **"and touched the border of his garment":** This was not an accidental brush but a deliberate, faith-filled act. Her belief was so profound that she did not feel the need for a direct conversation or a specific command from Jesus. She believed that even the smallest, most indirect contact with the "hem" or "fringe" of His outer garment, a part associated with Jewish piety and obedience to God's law, would be sufficient to convey His healing power. This highlights the nature of her faith: a quiet, tenacious conviction in Jesus's divine authority and ability to heal.
* **"and immediately her issue of blood stanched":** The adverb "immediately" (Greek, _parachrēma'_) underscores the instantaneous and undeniable nature of the miracle. There was no gradual recovery, no lingering symptoms, but a complete and sudden cessation of the twelve-year-long hemorrhage. This immediate healing serves as powerful evidence of Jesus's inherent and effortless divine power, demonstrating that His authority extends directly to the physical realm and can override chronic conditions with a mere touch.

#### Literary Devices
Luke employs several literary devices to enhance the impact of this narrative. **Dramatic Irony** is present as the woman, considered ritually unclean and a source of defilement under the Law, touches Jesus, who is the embodiment of holiness. Yet, instead of Jesus being defiled, His holiness purifies and heals her, reversing the expected outcome. **Symbolism** is also profoundly at play: the "issue of blood" symbolizes not only physical suffering but also social isolation and spiritual impurity, while Jesus's "garment" and its "border" symbolize His divine authority and the accessible conduit of His power. The instantaneous "stanched" action serves as a powerful **Climax** to the woman's long suffering, providing a dramatic and immediate resolution to her plight.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The healing of the woman with the issue of blood is a profound testament to the power of faith and Jesus's radical compassion. It underscores that true healing, both physical and spiritual, is not contingent on social status, ritual purity, or even direct verbal request, but on genuine faith in Christ's inherent power. Jesus's willingness to engage with and affirm someone considered an outcast by society demonstrates His inclusive nature and His mission to bring restoration to all, regardless of their perceived worth or condition. This narrative beautifully illustrates that divine power is readily accessible to those who approach Him with humble yet unwavering belief.

* [Mark 5:25-34](/mark/5-25-34 "Mark 5:25-34 - The Woman with the Issue of Blood")
* [Matthew 9:20-22](/matthew/9-20-22 "Matthew 9:20-22 - The Woman with the Issue of Blood")
* [Hebrews 11:6](/hebrews/11-6 "Hebrews 11:6 - Faith is Essential to Please God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The story of the woman with the issue of blood offers timeless encouragement and profound lessons for believers today. Her persistent suffering for twelve years, her financial ruin, and her social ostracization paint a picture of utter desperation, yet her faith remained unbroken. This narrative reminds us that no matter how long or how deeply we have suffered, or how isolated our struggles make us feel, Jesus is accessible and attentive to our deepest needs. Her quiet, determined act of touching the hem of His garment teaches us that even a seemingly small act of faith, born from a deep conviction in Jesus's power, can unleash miraculous results. We are called to approach Jesus with similar tenacity and belief, trusting that His compassion extends to every corner of our lives, transforming our brokenness into wholeness and our despair into hope. He sees beyond our outward circumstances to the faith within our hearts, ready to meet us with His healing presence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "issue of blood" (long-standing struggle, hidden pain, or isolating condition) might you be carrying that you need to bring to Jesus?**
* **How does the woman's quiet, persistent faith challenge your own approach to prayer and seeking God's intervention?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to hide your struggles, and how does Jesus's public affirmation of this woman encourage you to seek His healing openly?**

### FAQ

**Why did the woman only touch the "border of his garment" instead of speaking to Jesus directly?**

Answer: The woman's decision to touch only the "border of his garment" (Greek, _kráspedon_) was likely multifaceted. Culturally and religiously, her chronic hemorrhage rendered her ritually unclean, meaning she was forbidden from public interaction and would defile anyone she touched ([Leviticus 15:19-30](/leviticus/15-19-30 "Leviticus 15:19-30 - Laws Concerning Menstrual Impurity")). Approaching Jesus from behind and touching His garment allowed her to act discreetly, avoiding public shame or the risk of defiling others. More importantly, her act was a profound demonstration of faith. She believed that Jesus's power was so inherent and potent that even indirect contact with His garment, particularly the _tzitzit_ (fringes) which symbolized His adherence to God's law and His identity as a righteous man, would be sufficient to bring about her healing. This quiet, tenacious faith, rather than a direct verbal request, was the catalyst for the miracle.

**What is the significance of her healing being "immediate"?**

Answer: The immediate cessation of her hemorrhage, emphasized by the Greek word _parachrēma_ ("immediately" or "instantly"), is highly significant. It underscores the undeniable and supernatural nature of Jesus's healing power. Unlike the often slow or uncertain results of human physicians, Jesus's intervention was instantaneous and complete, leaving no room for doubt about its divine origin. This immediacy serves as a powerful testament to Jesus's inherent authority over sickness and disease, demonstrating that His power is not a gradual process but an instantaneous act of divine will. It highlights the direct and potent effect of genuine faith meeting divine power.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The healing of the woman with the issue of blood serves as a profound Christ-centered fulfillment, prefiguring the ultimate cleansing and life that flow from Jesus. Her chronic bleeding symbolized not only physical decay but also ritual impurity and separation from God's covenant community. In the Old Testament, blood was often associated with life, but also with sin and impurity when shed improperly or in a state of uncleanness. The woman's condition made her perpetually unclean, unable to fully participate in the life of Israel. Yet, Jesus, the very embodiment of holiness, does not become defiled by her touch; rather, His divine purity flows out to cleanse and make her whole, reversing the expected outcome of ritual law. This foreshadows the greater work of Christ on the cross, where His shed blood, unlike any other, does not defile but purifies, atoning for sin and cleansing us from all unrighteousness ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Through His sacrifice, Jesus becomes the ultimate source of life and purity, offering a complete and eternal cleansing that transcends all ritual limitations, granting access to God to all who approach Him in faith ([Ephesians 2:13](/ephesians/2-13 "Ephesians 2:13 - Brought Near by the Blood of Christ")). Her physical healing points to the spiritual healing and restoration of dignity found in Christ, who makes those who were once far off and unclean, near and clean through His divine touch and ultimate sacrifice.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 5:27

When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.

Mark 5:28

For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.

Deuteronomy 22:12

Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest [thyself].

Acts 19:12

So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

Malachi 4:2

But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

Exodus 15:26

And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I [am] the LORD that healeth thee.

Luke 7:38

And stood at his feet behind [him] weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe [them] with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed [them] with the ointment.