Mark 5:27

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

When she had heard {G191} of {G4012} Jesus {G2424}, came {G2064} in {G1722} the press {G3793} behind {G3693}, and touched {G680} his {G846} garment {G2440}.

She had heard about Yeshua, so she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his robe;

When the woman heard about Jesus, she came up through the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak.

having heard the things concerning Jesus, came in the crowd behind, and touched his garment.

Commentary

Mark 5:27 describes a pivotal moment in one of Jesus' most remarkable healing miracles, focusing on the action of a woman who had suffered for twelve years with a debilitating hemorrhage. This verse highlights her desperate faith and determination to seek healing from Jesus.

Context

This verse is part of a larger narrative in Mark's Gospel where Jesus is on His way to heal Jairus's daughter (Mark 5:22-24). A large crowd pressed in on Him. Interwoven into this journey is the story of the woman with an issue of blood, detailed in Mark 5:25-26. For twelve years, she had endured constant bleeding, rendering her ceremonially unclean under the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 15), isolating her from society and making her an outcast. She had spent all her money on doctors, only to grow worse.

Key Themes

  • Desperate Faith: The phrase "When she had heard of Jesus" indicates that her action was not impulsive but born of conviction. She had heard of His miraculous power and compassion, cultivating a deep hope. This faith led her to believe that even a physical touch of His clothing would bring healing, as seen in Mark 5:28.
  • Jesus' Accessibility: Despite the large "press" or crowd, the woman was able to approach Jesus. This underscores Jesus' willingness to engage with those in need, even amidst chaos and interruption.
  • The Power of Touch: Her act of "touched his garment" reveals a profound belief in Jesus' inherent divine power. She wasn't seeking a direct command or prayer but believed that virtue flowed from Him, even through His clothes. This is confirmed by Jesus' statement in Mark 5:30 that "virtue is gone out of me."

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "press" is ochlos (แฝ„ฯ‡ฮปฮฟฯ‚), which refers to a throng or multitude, emphasizing the dense crowd surrounding Jesus. The word for "garment" is himation (แผฑฮผฮฌฯ„ฮนฮฟฮฝ), typically referring to the outer cloak or robe worn by people at the time. Her touching the "hem" or "fringe" (often translated from a related word in parallel accounts like Matthew 9:20, kraspedon) of His garment held symbolic significance for some, as these fringes were commanded by God in Numbers 15:38-39 as a reminder of His commandments.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful lessons for believers today. It teaches us that:

  • Faith Precedes Action: Like the woman, our faith often grows from hearing about Jesus and His works (Romans 10:17). This hearing should compel us to seek Him.
  • No Obstacle is Too Great: Despite her physical weakness, social stigma, and the dense crowd, the woman persevered. We are encouraged to approach Jesus with our needs, regardless of the challenges or perceived barriers.
  • Jesus' Healing Power is Real: The narrative demonstrates that Jesus' power is not limited by conventional means. He can heal and transform lives in unexpected ways when approached with genuine faith. Her story is a testament to the power of unwavering faith.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 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.

  • Matthew 14:36

    And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

  • Acts 5:15

    Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid [them] on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

  • Mark 6:56

    And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

  • 2 Kings 13:21

    And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band [of men]; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.
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