TRV
See on the biblical-era map
Study This Verse
Commentary on Mark 5 verses 21–34
The Gadarenes having desired Christ to leave their country, he did not stay to trouble them long, but presently went by water, as he came, back to the other side (Mar 5:21), and there much people gathered to him. Note, If there be some that reject Christ, yet there are others that receive him, and bid him welcome. A despised gospel will cross the water, and go where it will have better entertainment. Now among the many that applied themselves to him,
I. Here is one, that comes openly to beg a cure for a sick child; and it is no less a person than one of the rulers of the synagogue, one that presided in the synagogue-worship or, as some think, one of the judges of the consistory court, which was in every city, consisting of twenty-three. He was not named in Matthew, he is here, Jairus, or Jair, Jdg 10:3. He addressed himself to Christ, though a ruler, with great humility and reverence; When he saw him, he fell at his feet, giving honour to him as one really greater than he appeared to be; and with great importunity, he besought him greatly, as one in earnest, as one that not only valued the mercy he came for, but that knew he could obtain it no where else. The case is this, He has a little daughter, about twelve years old, the darling of the family, and she lies a dying; but he believes that if Christ will but come, and lay his hands upon her, she will return even from the gates of the grave. He said, at first, when he came, She lies a dying (so Mark); but afterward, upon fresh information sent him, he saith, She is even now dead (so Matthew); but he still prosecutes his suit; see Luk 8:42-49. Christ readily agreed, and went with him, Mar 5:24.
II. Here is another, that comes clandestinely to steal a cure (if I may so say) for herself; and she got the relief she came for. This cure was wrought by the way, as he was going to raise the ruler's daughter, and was followed by a crowd. See how Christ improved his time, and lost none of the precious moments of it. Many of his discourses, and some of his miracles, are dates by the way-side; we should be doing good, not only when we sit in the house, but when we walk by the way, Deu 6:7. Now observe,
1.The piteous case of this poor woman. She had a constant issue of blood upon her, for twelve years, which had thrown her, no doubt, into great weakness, had embittered the comfort of her life, and threatened to be her death in a little time. She had had the best advice of physicians, that she could get, and had made use of the many medicines and methods they prescribed: as long as she had any thing to give them, they had kept her in hopes that they could cure her; but now that she had spent all she had among them, they gave her up as incurable. See here, (1.) That skin for skin, and all that a man has, will be give for life and health; she spent all she had upon physicians. (2.) It is ill with those patients whose physicians are their worst disease; who suffer by their physicians, instead of being relieved by them. (3.) Those that are not bettered by medicines, commonly grow worse, and the disease gets the more ground. (4.) It is usual with people not to apply themselves to Christ, till they have tried in vain all other helpers, and find them, as certainly they will, physicians of no value. And he will be found a sure refuge, even to those who make him their last refuge.
2.The strong faith that she had in the power of Christ to heal her; she said within herself, though it doth not appear that she was encouraged by any preceding instance to say it, If I may but touch his clothes, I shall be whole, Mar 5:28. She believed that he cured, not as a prophet, by virtue derived from God, but as the Son of God, by a virtue inherent in himself. Her case was such as she could not in modesty tell him publicly, as others did their grievances, and therefore a private cure was what she wished for, and her faith was suited to her case.
3.The wonderful effect produced by it; She came in the crowd behind him, and with much ado got to touch his garment, and immediately she felt the cure wrought, Mar 5:29. The flux of blood was dried up, and she felt herself perfectly well all over her, as well as ever she was in her life, in an instant; by this it appears that the cure was altogether miraculous; for those that in such cases are cured by natural means, recover their strength slowly and gradually, and not per saltum - all at once; but as for God, his work is perfect. Note, Those whom Christ heals of the disease of sin, that bloody issue, cannot but experience in themselves a universal change for the better.
4.Christ's enquiry after his concealed patient, and the encouragement he gave her, upon the discovery of her; Christ knew in himself that virtue had gone out of him, Mar 5:30. He knew it not by any deficiency of spirits, through the exhausting of this virtue, but rather by an agility of spirits, in the exerting of it, and the innate and inseparable pleasure he had in doing good. And being desirous to see his patient, he asked, not in displeasure, as one affronted, but in tenderness, as one concerned, Who touched my clothes? The disciples, not without a show of rudeness and indecency, almost ridiculed his question (Mar 5:31); The multitudes throng thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? As if it had been an improper question. Christ passed by the affront, and looks around to see her that had done this thing; not that he might blame her for her presumption, but that he might commend and encourage her faith, and by his own act and deed might warrant and confirm the cure, and ratify to her that which she had surreptitiously obtained. He needed not that any should inform him, for he had presently his eye upon her. Note, As secret acts of sin, so secret acts of faith, are known to the Lord Jesus, and are under his eye. If believers derive virtue from Christ ever so closely, he knows it, and is pleased with it. The poor woman, hereupon, presented herself to the Lord Jesus (Mar 5:33), fearing and trembling, not knowing how he would take it. Note, Christ's patients are often trembling, when they have reason to be triumphing. She might have come boldly, knowing what was done in her; yet, knowing that, she fears and trembles. It was a surprise, and was not yet, as it should have been, a pleasing surprise. However, she fell down before him. Note, There is nothing better for those that fear and tremble, than to throw themselves at the feet of the Lord Jesus; to humble themselves before him, and refer themselves to him. And she told him all the truth. Note, We must not be ashamed to own the secret transactions between Christ and our souls; but, when called to it, mention, to his praise, and the encouragement of others, what he has done for our souls, and the experience we have had of healing virtue derived from him. And the consideration of this, that nothing can be hid from Christ, should engage us to confess all to him. See what an encouraging word he gave her (Mar 5:34); Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole. Note, Christ puts honour upon faith, because faith gives honour to Christ. But see how what is done by faith on earth is ratified in heaven; Christ saith, Be whole of thy disease. Note, If our faith sets the seal of its amen to the power and promise of God, saying, "So it is, and so let it be to me;" God's grace will set the seal of its amen to the prayers and hopes of faith, saying, "So be it, and so it shall be, to thee." And therefore, "Go in peace; be well satisfied that thy cure is honestly come by, is effectually wrought, and take the comfort of it." Note, They that by faith are healed of their spiritual diseases, have reason to go in peace.
But the man who is healed preached in Decapolis, where the Jews, who hang on the letter of the Decalogue, are being turned away from the Roman rule.
Mystically, however, Jairus comes after the healing of the woman, because when the fulness of the Gentiles has come in, then shall Israel be saved. (v. Rom. 11) Jairus means either illuminating, or illuminated, that is, the Jewish people, having cast off the shadow of the letter, enlightened by the Spirit, and enlightening others, falling at the feet of the Word, that is, humbling itself before the Incarnation of Christ, prays for her daughter, for when a man lives himself, he makes others live also. Thus Abraham, and Moses, and Samuel, intercede for the people who are dead, and Jesus comes upon their prayers.
(Vict. Ant. e Cat. in Marc.) He has recorded the name on account of the Jews of that time, that it might mark the miracle. It goes on, And when he saw him, he fell at his feet, and besought him greatly, &c. Matthew indeed relates that the chief of the synagogue reported that his daughter was dead, but Mark says that she was very sick, and that afterwards it was told to the ruler of the synagogue, when our Lord was about to go with him, that she was dead. The fact then, which Matthew implies, is the same, namely, that He raised her from the dead; and it is for the sake of brevity, that he says that she was dead, which was evident from her being raised.
(Vict. Ant. e Cat. in Marc.) Now the virtues of Christ are by His own will imparted to those men, who touch Him by faith. Wherefore there follows, And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? The virtues indeed of the Saviour do not go out of Him locally or corporally, nor in any respect pass away from Him. For being incorporeal, they go forth to others and are given to others; they are not however separated from Him, from whom they are said to go forth, in the same way as sciences are given by the teacher to his pupils. Therefore it says, Jesus, knowing in himself the virtue which had gone out of him, to show that with His knowledge, and not without His being aware of it, the woman was healed. But He asked, Who touched me? although He knew her who touched Him, that He might bring to light the woman, by her coming forward, and proclaim her faith, and lest the virtue of His miraculons work should be consigned to oblivion. It goes on, And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? But the Lord asked, Who touched me, that is in thought and faith, for the crowds who throng Me cannot be said to touch Me, for they do not come near to Me in thought and in faith. There follows, And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.
(Vict. Ant. e Cat. in Marc.) Or else He says, Go in peace, sending her away into that which is the final good, for God dwells in peace, that thou mayest know, that she was not only healed in body, but also from the causes of bodily pain, that is, from her sins
(in Marc. ii. 22) Observe that the object of His question was that the woman should confess the truth of her long 1want of faith, of her sudden belief and healing, and so herself be confirmed in faith, and afford an example to others. But he said to her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. He said not, Thy faith is about to make thee whole, but has made thee whole, that is, in that thou hast believed, thou hast already been made whole.
(ubi sup.) Again, the Lord going to the child, who is to be healed, is thronged by the crowd, because though He gave healthful advice to the Jewish nation, he is oppressed by the wicked habits of that carnal people; but the woman with an issue of blood, cured by the Lord, is the Church gathered together from the nations, for the issue of blood may be either understood of the pollution of idolatry, or of those deeds, which are accompanied by pleasure to flesh and blood. But whilst the word of the Lord decreed salvation to Judæa, the people of the Gentiles by an assured hope seized upon the health, promised and prepared for others.
(ubi sup.) Wherefore one believing woman touches the Lord, whilst the crowd throngs Him, because He, who is grieved by divers heresies, or by wicked habits, is worshipped faithfully with the heart of the Catholic Church alone. But the Church of the Gentiles came behind Him; because though it did not see the Lord present in the flesh, for the mysteries of His Incarnation had been gone through, yet it attained to the grace of His faith, and so when by partaking of His sacraments, it merited salvation from its sins, as it were the fountain of its blood was dried up by the touch of His garments. And the Lord looked round about to see her who had done this, because He judges that all who deserve to be saved are worthy of His look and of His pity.
After the miracle of the demoniac, the Lord works another miracle, namely, in raising up the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue; the Evangelist, before narrating this miracle, says, And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him.
Now this man was faithful in part, inasmuch as he fell at the feet of Jesus, but in that he begged of Him to come, he did not show as much faith as he ought. For he ought to have said, Speak the word only, and my daughter shall be healed. There follows, And he went away with him, and much people followed him, and thronged him; and a woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, &c.
Most faithful indeed is this woman, who hoped for healing from His garments. For which reason she obtains health; wherefore it goes on, And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed.
For the Lord wished to declare the woman, first to give His approbation to her faith, secondly to urge the chief of the synagogue to a confident hope that He could thus cure his child, and also to free the woman from fear. For the woman feared because she had stolen health; wherefore there follows, But the woman, fearing and trembling, &c.
But He saith to her, Go in peace, that is, in rest, which means, go and have rest, for up to this time thou hast been in pains and torture.
Or else, by the woman, who had a bloody flux, understand human nature; for sin rushed in upon it, which since it killed the soul, might be said to spill its blood. It could not be cured by many physicians, that is, by the wise men of this world, and of the Law and the Prophets; but the moment that it touched the hem of Christ's garment, that is, His flesh, it was healed, for whosoever believes the Son of man to be Incarnate is he who touches the hem of His garment.
Continue studying Mark 5:21 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
CNTR CollationThe earliest Greek manuscripts of this verse, collated letter by letter.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Mark 5:21 serves as a pivotal transitional verse in the Gospel narrative, depicting Jesus' return by ship to the western, Jewish side of the Sea of Galilee after His ministry in the Gentile Decapolis. Upon His arrival, a large multitude spontaneously gathered around Him at the water's edge, eagerly anticipating His presence and ministry, thereby setting the immediate stage for two significant miracles that underscore His divine authority and compassion.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse immediately follows Jesus' powerful encounter in the region of the Gerasenes (or Gadarenes), where He cast a legion of demons out of a man and into a herd of pigs (Mark 5:1-20). The command to the healed man to "Go home to your people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you" (Mark 5:19) highlights a mission to the Gentiles, a stark contrast to Jesus' primary focus on Israel. Mark 5:21 then signals Jesus' departure from this Gentile territory and His re-entry into Jewish lands, specifically the vicinity of Capernaum, which served as His Galilean ministry base. The gathering crowd directly precedes the intertwined narratives of Jairus's plea for his dying daughter and the healing of the woman with a chronic hemorrhage (Mark 5:22-43), emphasizing the continuous demand for Jesus' healing and teaching ministry.
Historical & Cultural Context: The Sea of Galilee (also known as Lake Gennesaret or Tiberias) was central to Jesus' Galilean ministry, serving as both a travel route and a setting for many miracles and teachings. The eastern side, where the Gerasene incident occurred, was largely Gentile territory, while the western side was predominantly Jewish. Jesus' frequent crossings by "ship" (a common fishing boat) were typical for travel and ministry in the region. The immediate gathering of "much people" upon His arrival reflects the widespread fame Jesus had already garnered through His miraculous healings and authoritative teaching throughout Galilee. Crowds were a constant feature of His public ministry, often pressing in on Him, eager to hear His words or receive His touch, indicative of the societal needs and spiritual hunger prevalent among the populace.
Key Themes: Mark 5:21 contributes to several overarching themes within Mark's Gospel. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of Jesus' Authority and Popularity, as His mere presence draws a "much people" (Greek: ochlos), signifying His recognized power and the widespread anticipation of His works. This echoes earlier accounts of crowds following Him after His initial healings and teachings, such as those found in Mark 1:32-34. Secondly, the verse highlights Jesus' Unwavering Commitment to Ministry. Despite the recent intense spiritual battle and the journey across the sea, Jesus immediately re-engages with the waiting multitude, demonstrating His tireless compassion and dedication to His mission of proclaiming the Kingdom of God and bringing healing. This commitment is a consistent motif throughout Mark, as seen in Jesus' constant movement and engagement with people (Mark 1:38-39). Lastly, it functions as a Narrative Transition, signaling a shift from a significant Gentile encounter back to the heart of His Jewish ministry, setting the stage for the next series of powerful demonstrations of His messianic identity and power.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Mark 5:21 effectively employs several literary devices. The verse functions primarily as a Transitional Narrative, smoothly shifting the geographical and narrative focus from the Gentile region of the Gerasenes back to the Jewish heartland of Galilee. This transition is crucial for the unfolding of subsequent events. Furthermore, there is a strong sense of Anticipation created by the description of "much people gathered unto him." The immediate congregation of the crowd suggests a pre-existing expectation and eagerness for Jesus' arrival, building narrative tension for the miracles that are about to occur. Mark also uses Geographical Precision by noting that Jesus "was nigh unto the sea," which grounds the story in a tangible setting and enhances the reader's visualization of the scene, making Jesus' immediate accessibility to the crowd vivid and realistic.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 5:21, though seemingly simple, carries significant theological weight. It underscores the profound human need for divine intervention and the consistent accessibility of Jesus to those who seek Him. The immediate gathering of the crowd highlights Jesus' magnetic presence and the widespread recognition of His authority, not merely as a teacher, but as one who possessed unique power. This verse sets the stage for the demonstration of Jesus' sovereign power over sickness and death, reinforcing His identity as the Messiah who brings healing and restoration. It also implicitly points to the divine initiative in ministry; Jesus crosses over, and the people respond, illustrating the dynamic interaction between God's outreach and humanity's reception.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 5:21 invites us to reflect on the nature of our own pursuit of Christ. Just as the crowds eagerly awaited Jesus' return, demonstrating a persistent hunger for His presence and power, we too are called to cultivate an active and expectant posture in our spiritual lives. This verse reminds us that Jesus is always accessible to those who genuinely seek Him, even after demanding journeys or intense spiritual battles. His immediate engagement with the multitude, despite His recent exertions, serves as a powerful model of tireless compassion and unwavering commitment to ministry. For believers, this means being present and available to those in need, mirroring Christ's self-giving example. It also encourages us to recognize that our "return" to moments of quiet expectation or prayer can often be the very threshold where profound spiritual encounters and divine interventions unfold, much like the transformative miracles that immediately followed this scene. We are reminded that our readiness to meet Him is often met by His readiness to minister to us.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did so many people gather to Jesus immediately upon His arrival?
Answer: The immediate gathering of "much people" upon Jesus' arrival was a common occurrence throughout His ministry, as His reputation for performing extraordinary miracles and teaching with unparalleled authority had spread widely across Galilee. People were drawn to Him out of a desperate need for healing, a desire to hear His words, or simply out of curiosity regarding the remarkable events surrounding Him. Mark's Gospel frequently highlights these large crowds, emphasizing Jesus' popularity and the public's eager anticipation of His presence, as seen in other instances where crowds pressed in on Him, such as when He taught by the sea (Mark 4:1) or healed the sick (Mark 3:7-10).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 5:21, depicting Jesus' return and the spontaneous gathering of a great multitude, powerfully foreshadows His ultimate role as the central figure to whom all humanity will ultimately gather. Just as the crowds flocked to Him at the sea's edge, desperate for healing and hope, so too does humanity, burdened by sin and brokenness, find its ultimate hope and salvation in Christ. His physical presence and accessibility to the waiting throng prefigure His spiritual accessibility through the Holy Spirit to all who call upon His name (Romans 10:13). This scene of eager anticipation for His arrival points to the greater longing for the Messiah's coming, a longing fulfilled in Jesus, who is the "desire of all nations" (Haggai 2:7). Moreover, the gathering of people around Jesus, the Good Shepherd, anticipates the eschatological gathering of His elect from every nation, tribe, people, and language, when He will draw all people to Himself (John 12:32) and establish His eternal Kingdom, where a "great multitude that no one could count" will stand before the Lamb (Revelation 7:9-10). Thus, Mark 5:21 is not merely a historical account but a profound glimpse into the Christ who continually draws people to Himself for salvation and transformation.