Mark 5:29

KJV

And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in [her] body that she was healed of that plague.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} straightway {G2112} the fountain {G4077} of her {G846} blood {G129} was dried up {G3583}; and {G2532} she felt {G1097} in her body {G4983} that {G3754} she was healed {G2390} of {G575} that plague {G3148}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Instantly the hemorrhaging stopped, and she felt in her body that she had been healed from the disease.

Berean Standard Bible

Immediately her bleeding stopped, and she sensed in her body that she was healed of her affliction.

American Standard Version

And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her plague.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 5:29 describes the instantaneous and tangible healing of the woman who had suffered from a chronic hemorrhage for twelve years. Immediately upon touching Jesus' garment, the source of her bleeding dried up, and she physically perceived in her body that she was completely cured of the debilitating affliction that had plagued her for so long. This verse powerfully underscores the immediate efficacy of Jesus' divine power in response to faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 5:29 is a pivotal moment within the larger narrative of Jesus' journey to heal Jairus's daughter, found in [Mark 5:21-43](/mark/5-21-43 "Mark 5:21-43 - Jairus's Daughter and the Woman with a Hemorrhage"). The healing of the woman with the issue of blood is strategically placed as an interruption, or "intercalation," within the account of Jairus's plea. This literary device, characteristic of Mark's Gospel, serves to heighten the tension surrounding Jairus's daughter's deteriorating condition while simultaneously showcasing Jesus's sovereign power and compassion even amidst a crowd and pressing schedule. The woman's desperate act of faith in [Mark 5:27-28](/mark/5-27-28 "Mark 5:27-28 - The Woman Touches Jesus' Garment") immediately precedes this verse, and Jesus's subsequent inquiry and affirmation of her faith in [Mark 5:30-34](/mark/5-30-34 "Mark 5:30-34 - Jesus Asks Who Touched Him") follow, emphasizing that her healing was not accidental but a direct response to her belief.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** For twelve years, this woman suffered from a chronic flow of blood, a condition that rendered her ceremonially unclean according to Mosaic Law, specifically detailed in [Leviticus 15:19-30](/leviticus/15-19-30 "Leviticus 15:19-30 - Laws Concerning Bodily Discharges"). This uncleanness meant she was perpetually isolated from communal worship, social interaction, and even physical contact with others, as anyone she touched would also become unclean. Her condition was not only physically debilitating and financially ruinous (as she had spent all her money on physicians, [Mark 5:26](/mark/5-26 "Mark 5:26 - The Woman's Suffering")), but also spiritually and socially ostracizing. Her act of touching Jesus' garment, while an act of profound faith, was also an act of desperation that defied social and religious norms, risking public condemnation for potentially making Jesus unclean.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Mark's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **Power and Authority of Jesus** over sickness and physical affliction, demonstrating that His divine power is not limited by human conditions or ceremonial laws. Secondly, it powerfully illustrates the **Efficacy of Faith**, showing that genuine belief, even when expressed quietly or desperately, can connect an individual to God's transformative power. Jesus later confirms this connection in [Mark 5:34](/mark/5-34 "Mark 5:34 - Jesus Commends the Woman's Faith"), stating, "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole." Thirdly, the immediate nature of the healing underscores the **Immediacy of God's Intervention**, a characteristic often emphasized by Mark's frequent use of "straightway" or "immediately." Finally, it showcases Jesus' profound **Compassion and Attention to the Marginalized**, as He stops amidst a pressing crowd to acknowledge and affirm a woman who was considered an outcast.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **straightway (Greek, _euthéōs'_):** This adverb signifies immediacy, directly, or at once. Its frequent use in Mark's Gospel (often translated "immediately") emphasizes the swiftness and decisiveness of Jesus' actions and the unfolding of events. In this verse, it highlights the instantaneous nature of the healing, underscoring the direct and powerful effect of Jesus' presence.
* **fountain (Greek, _pēgḗ'_):** This term refers to a source or well, often of water, but here used metaphorically for the source of her blood flow. The drying up of this "fountain" vividly conveys the complete and definitive cessation of the hemorrhage, not just a temporary pause, indicating a radical and permanent cure.
* **felt (Greek, _ginṓskō'_):** Derived from a verb meaning "to know," "perceive," or "be aware of," this word emphasizes the woman's personal, internal, and undeniable experience of her healing. It was not merely an external observation but a profound, bodily sensation that confirmed the miracle to her, providing immediate and tangible evidence of her restoration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up":** This clause describes the immediate and complete cessation of the woman's chronic hemorrhage. The use of "straightway" (Greek: _euthéōs_) emphasizes the instantaneous nature of the miracle, underscoring that the healing was not gradual but occurred the very moment she touched Jesus' garment. The "fountain of her blood" vividly portrays the long-standing, persistent nature of her affliction, and its "drying up" signifies a definitive and total cure.
* **"and she felt in [her] body":** This part highlights the subjective, experiential aspect of the healing. The woman herself perceived and knew within her physical being that a profound change had occurred. This internal sensation served as undeniable confirmation of the miracle, moving beyond mere belief to a tangible reality. It demonstrates that divine healing can be a deeply personal and physically verifiable experience.
* **"that she was healed of that plague":** This final clause identifies the specific outcome and the nature of her affliction. She was "healed" (Greek: _iáomai_), meaning made whole or cured, from "that plague" (Greek: _mástix_), which denotes a severe affliction or scourge. This emphasizes the gravity of her long-term suffering and the comprehensive nature of Jesus' cure, which freed her from the physical ailment that had also brought social and spiritual burdens.

#### Literary Devices
Mark's concise narrative in [Mark 5:29](/mark/5-29 "Mark 5:29 - The Woman's Immediate Healing") employs several powerful literary devices. **Immediacy** is a hallmark of Mark's Gospel, frequently conveyed by the adverb "straightway" (_euthéōs_), which here underscores the instantaneous nature of the healing, emphasizing Jesus' swift and decisive power. The phrase "fountain of her blood" employs **Metaphor** and **Vivid Imagery**, transforming a medical condition into a gushing source, making the cessation of the flow more dramatic and tangible. The contrast between her twelve years of suffering and the instantaneous drying up of the "fountain" creates a powerful **Juxtaposition**, highlighting the miraculous nature of the event. Furthermore, the inclusion of "she felt in her body" uses **Sensory Language**, drawing the reader into the woman's personal experience of the miracle and affirming the physical reality of her transformation. This sensory detail makes the healing concrete and undeniable, reinforcing the theme of divine power made manifest.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 5:29 stands as a profound testament to the active, compassionate, and immediate power of God at work through Jesus Christ. It demonstrates that Jesus' authority extends over all forms of human suffering, even those deemed incurable or ritually defiling. The woman's healing is not merely a physical restoration but also a social and spiritual one, as she is freed from the isolation and uncleanness imposed by her condition. This miracle underscores the biblical truth that God is attentive to the cries of the marginalized and that genuine faith, even a desperate touch, can be the conduit for divine intervention. It reveals Jesus as the Great Physician who brings wholeness to body, soul, and spirit, transcending human limitations and religious strictures to offer radical grace and healing.

* [Matthew 9:20-22](/matthew/9-20-22 "Matthew 9:20-22 - Jesus Heals a Woman with a Hemorrhage")
* [Luke 8:43-48](/luke/8-43-48 "Luke 8:43-48 - Jesus Heals a Woman with a Hemorrhage")
* [Hebrews 11:6](/hebrews/11-6 "Hebrews 11:6 - Faith is Essential")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The immediate and tangible healing experienced by the woman in Mark 5:29 offers profound encouragement and practical lessons for believers today. Her twelve years of suffering, marked by medical futility and social isolation, represent the chronic, seemingly insurmountable challenges we often face in life—whether physical ailments, emotional wounds, relational brokenness, or spiritual dryness. Yet, her desperate act of faith, believing that a mere touch of Jesus' garment would suffice, reminds us that our faith, no matter how small or seemingly inadequate, can connect us to an infinite source of power. We are invited to approach Jesus with similar conviction, bringing our deepest "plagues" to Him, trusting that His power is not diminished by our long-standing struggles. Just as she "felt in her body" the immediate cessation of her affliction, we too can expect to experience tangible evidence of God's transformative work in our lives, bringing restoration, peace, and wholeness where there was once only pain and despair. This passage calls us to persist in faith, even when circumstances seem hopeless, knowing that Jesus is ever-present, compassionate, and able to bring about immediate and complete healing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "plague" or long-standing struggle in your life are you bringing to Jesus with the desperate faith of this woman?**
* **How does the immediacy of her healing encourage you to trust in God's timing and power, even when your situation seems to be worsening?**
* **In what ways can you tangibly "feel" or perceive God's healing and transformative work in your own life, even if it's not a physical miracle?**

### FAQ

**Why was the woman's condition considered a "plague" and what were its implications?**

Answer: The term "plague" (Greek: _mástix_) refers to a severe affliction or scourge. Her condition, a chronic hemorrhage for twelve years, was considered a "plague" not only due to its physical debilitation but also because of its profound social and religious implications. According to Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 15:19-30](/leviticus/15-19-30 "Leviticus 15:19-30 - Laws Concerning Bodily Discharges")), any continuous bodily discharge, especially of blood, rendered a person ceremonially unclean. This meant she was isolated from her community, unable to participate in religious rituals, and anyone she touched or who touched her became unclean. This "plague" therefore encompassed physical suffering, social ostracization, and spiritual alienation, making her healing a comprehensive restoration.

**Why is the immediate nature of the healing emphasized with "straightway"?**

Answer: The word "straightway" (Greek: _euthéōs_) is a characteristic feature of Mark's Gospel, used frequently to convey a sense of urgency, immediacy, and divine power. In [Mark 5:29](/mark/5-29 "Mark 5:29 - The Woman's Immediate Healing"), its use highlights that the healing was not a gradual process or a slow recovery, but an instantaneous and complete cessation of her long-standing affliction. This emphasis underscores Jesus's absolute authority over disease and demonstrates that His power is effective the very moment it is accessed through faith, leaving no room for doubt about the miraculous nature of the event.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The instantaneous and complete healing of the woman with the issue of blood in [Mark 5:29](/mark/5-29 "Mark 5:29 - The Woman's Immediate Healing") powerfully foreshadows and embodies the Christ-centered fulfillment of redemption. Just as her "fountain of blood" was dried up, signifying the cessation of a debilitating and defiling condition, so too does Christ's atoning work on the cross bring a definitive end to the "plague" of sin that afflicts humanity. Through His own shed blood, Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offers not merely physical healing but ultimate spiritual cleansing and wholeness. The woman's ceremonial uncleanness, which separated her from God and community, finds its ultimate remedy in Christ, who by His sacrifice purifies us from all unrighteousness, making us clean and acceptable before God ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:9-14 - The Blood of Christ Cleanses")). Her physical restoration points to the greater spiritual restoration available to all who, by faith, "touch" Him, receiving new life and freedom from the curse of sin. Indeed, as [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - By His Wounds We Are Healed") prophesied, "by his stripes we are healed," a truth echoed in [1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - By His Wounds You Were Healed"), affirming that Jesus bore our sicknesses and sorrows to bring us comprehensive healing—body, soul, and spirit—culminating in the promise of a future where all tears and pain will be wiped away ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears or Pain")).

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 5:34

And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

Psalms 103:3

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

Mark 3:10

For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.

Psalms 30:2

O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.

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.

Psalms 147:3

He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

Psalms 107:20

He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered [them] from their destructions.