Mark 5:25

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

And {G2532} a certain {G5100} woman {G1135}, which had an {G1722} issue {G4511} of blood {G129}{G5607} twelve {G1427} years {G2094},

Among them was a woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years

And a woman was there who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years.

And a woman, who had an issue of blood twelve years,

Context

Mark 5:25 introduces one of the most poignant and well-known healing accounts in the Gospels. This verse immediately sets the stage for the story of the woman with a chronic hemorrhage, a condition that had plagued her for twelve years. At this point in the narrative, Jesus is amidst a bustling crowd, on His urgent way to the house of Jairus, a synagogue ruler, to heal his dying daughter (Mark 5:22-24). The woman's condition, an 'issue of blood,' rendered her perpetually ceremonially unclean under Mosaic Law (Leviticus 15:19-30), isolating her from society, religious life, and undoubtedly causing immense physical, emotional, and financial distress. Her appearance in such a public setting, especially given her condition, hints at her profound desperation and courage.

Key Themes

  • Chronic Suffering and Desperation: The mention of 'twelve years' immediately conveys the depth of her long-term suffering and the likely futility of all previous attempts at a cure, as elaborated in the subsequent verse. This highlights the prolonged nature of her affliction.
  • Societal Isolation and Stigma: Her perpetual state of uncleanness meant she was ostracized, unable to participate fully in community life or temple worship, making her approach to Jesus an act of immense risk and vulnerability.
  • Anticipation of Faith: Though her action is not yet described, this verse lays the groundwork for understanding the immense faith and courage required for her to approach Jesus in such a public, desperate manner, believing in His power to heal.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "issue of blood" translates the Greek rheuma haimatos, literally meaning "a flow of blood" or "hemorrhage." This was a debilitating and often life-threatening condition in ancient times, for which there was no effective medical treatment. The emphasis on "twelve years" (dodeka eti) highlights the extreme duration of her affliction, marking her as someone who had endured prolonged suffering and likely exhausted all resources in search of a cure.

Practical Application

Mark 5:25 reminds us that God sees and acknowledges long-term suffering and chronic conditions, even those hidden or stigmatized by society. This verse sets the stage for a powerful demonstration of Jesus' compassion, not just for prominent figures like Jairus, but also for the marginalized and forgotten. It encourages us to bring our most persistent and seemingly insurmountable problems to Jesus, no matter how long we have endured them, trusting in His ability to provide hope and healing where all other avenues have failed. This story, beginning with this simple introduction, speaks to the power of persistent faith to overcome seemingly impossible circumstances.

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.

  • 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 15:27

    And whosoever toucheth those things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes, and bathe [himself] in water, and be unclean until the even.

  • 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,

  • Luke 8:44

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

  • 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 15:19

    ¶ And if a woman have an issue, [and] her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even.

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